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 …
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Wall Street Journal, Over the Monster, CBSSports.com, Yankees Fans Unite, 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:
MLB Rumors, River Avenue Blues and HardballTalk
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
Associated Press:
Reds OF Ludwick needs surgery on shoulder — CINCINNATI — Reds outfielder Ryan Ludwick tore cartilage in his right shoulder while sliding into third base during the season opener and will need surgery, leaving the defending NL Central champions without one of their main run producers for an uncertain period.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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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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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, HardballTalk and River Avenue Blues
Associated Press:
Wieters, Davis, Jones Power Orioles Past Rays — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Adam Jones keyed a seventh-inning rally with a two-run, go-ahead double and Chris Davis followed with a three-run homer Tuesday to help the Baltimore Orioles open the season with a 7-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
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, Beyond the Box Score and Pinstriped Bible
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
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