Top News:
Darren Rovell / ESPN:
Robinson Cano to hire Jay-Z — Roc Nation, an entertainment company founded by Shawn Carter, also known as Jay-Z, will announce on Tuesday that it is getting into the sports representation business through a partnership with Creative Artists Agency (CAA). — The company, which will be known …
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, Yankees Fans Unite, Over the Monster, CBSSports.com, SBNation.com, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
Robinson Cano, Boras to split — New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, who is in line to become the most sought-after free agent next fall, has decided to change agents and walk away from Scott Boras, according to sources. — It remains to be seen whether this alters the trajectory …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and River Avenue Blues
Fox Sports:
Cano drops Boras, opts for CAA, Jay-Z — Robinson Cano, meet Jay-Z. — Cano, the New York Yankees second baseman who can become a free agent at the end of the season, is changing his representation as he nears the biggest decision of his career. — He will be co-represented by CAA …
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball and Baseball Nation
Dan Shaughnessy / The Boston Globe:
Jackie Bradley's Red Sox debut was a show-stopper — NEW YORK — First walk. First hustle on the basepaths. First strikeout. First run. First RBI. First “tremendous” catch. — How long before Dr. Charles Steinberg produces “The Ballad of Jackie Bradley Jr.?”
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Fox Sports:
Let the youngsters play — NEW YORK — I'm rooting for Red Sox left fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to get off to a hot start, just like I'm rooting for Marlins right-hander Jose Fernandez and Twins center fielder Aaron Hicks to do the same. — All three are rookies, and all three could …
Discussion:
Boston Globe and MLB Rumors
Jim Callis / Baseball America:
Draft Bonus Pools Rise 8.2 Percent — Assigned pick values for the first 10 rounds of the 2013 draft have increased 8.2 percent from last year's numbers, according to documents obtained by Baseball America. The total value for those rounds is $202,501,600.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, River Avenue Blues and HardballTalk
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Ludwick exits with dislocated right shoulder — CINCINNATI — The Reds' regular season already suffered its first casualty during Monday afternoon's season opener vs. the Angels as left fielder Ryan Ludwick exited with a dislocated right shoulder. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday to determine the extent of the injury.
Discussion:
Red Reporter
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TBO.com:
RAYS — ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays begin the 2013 season this afternoon against the Baltimore Orioles fully intent on winning the American League East title, the American League pennant and the final game of the World Series. — “I think you're doing everyone a disservice if you don't believe that,” third baseman Evan Longoria said.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Jonah Keri / Grantland:
Verlander, Posey, and the Death of Free Agency — Justin Verlander and Buster Posey both signed gigantic contract extensions, underscoring a growing trend in baseball: the death of free agency. — Already signed through 2014, Verlander's extension with the Tigers will last five years and pay him $140 million.
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, Pinstriped Bible and Beyond the Box Score
Amanda Comak / Washington Times:
Nationals notes: Ian Desmond focused on winning, not new contract — Not much has changed for Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond when it comes to a possible contract extension. The team is still open to discussing one with Desmond, and Desmond is still open to considering it.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
Graham Womack / Hardball Times:
How Hall of Famers rank for salary in 2012 dollars — When Babe Ruth signed for $80,000 prior to the 1930 baseball season, as the apocryphal story goes, someone admonished him that he was making more than President Herbert Hoover. “I know,” the Bambino is said to have replied, “But I had a better year than Hoover.”
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Jane Lee / MLB.com:
Felix gives Jaso timely gift for catching perfect game — John Jaso shows off his new Rolex watch, a thank-you gift from Mariners ace Felix Hernandez. (Janie McCauley/AP) — OAKLAND — No matter how A's catcher John Jaso fared at the plate against Felix Hernandez on Monday night …
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner and HardballTalk
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Hahn rejects Danks health issue — John Danks said he will return to Arizona to continue his rehabilitation from left shoulder surgery and pitch in a minor league game Thursday. — That should be perceived as a sign that Danks hasn't suffered a setback in his recovery …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
T.R. Sullivan / Postcards From Elysian Fields:
Andrus signs through 2018...rest up in the air — The Rangers have reached an agreement with Elvis Andrus through at least 2018. An announcement is expected later this week after Andrus completes his physical. The contract extension is for eight years but Andrus can be a free agent after four years.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, Texas Rangers Blog, Lone Star Ball, MLB.com and MLB Rumors
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Report: Rangers, Elvis Andrus agree to long-term extension
Report: Rangers, Elvis Andrus agree to long-term extension
Discussion:
Hit and Run, CBSSports.com and Lone Star Ball