Top News:
Associated Press:
Rays to Playoffs Again After 5-2 Win Over Rangers — ARLINGTON, Texas — David Price, Evan Longoria and the Tampa Bay Rays are going to playoffs again, getting there with a victory in their final regular-season game for the second time in three years. — They needed an extra game this time.
Discussion:
ESPN, DRaysBay, Amazin' Avenue and CBSSports.com
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Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox will face Rays or Indians — The Tampa Bay Rays are on their way to Cleveland for the wild card playoff game after beating the Texas Rangers, 5-2. David Price went the distance, throwing 118 pitches. — The Rays will face the Indians in Cleveland on Wednesday at 8:07 p.m …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Game of the Day — Left-handers David Price and Martin Perez square off in Texas as the Rays and Rangers meet to decide which team plays Cleveland in the AL Wild Card game. Nelson Cruz joins the Rangers after serving his suspension for PED use. Cruz hits Price well, six for 12 in his career with two home runs.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and CBSSports.com Sports News …
Todd Zolecki / The Zo Zone:
Amaro Feels the Heat, Talks Future — Ruben Amaro Jr. settled into one of the blue seats a few rows from the field Saturday afternoon at Turner Field. He munched on sunflower seeds as Scott Proefrock, one of his assistant general managers, sat in the row behind him.
Discussion:
The Good Phight, MLB Rumors, Phillies Nation and Crashburn Alley
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Ryan Lawrence / Philly.com:
Phillies Notebook: Phillies' Ruiz hopes to return next season — ATLANTA - Phillies team president David Montgomery made his way through the visiting clubhouse at Turner Field yesterday morning, sending well wishes to his players. — He stopped and chatted with veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz for several minutes.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
What's in the immediate future for the Yankees? — HOUSTON — Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera faded to black, the ceremonies and tears finally at an end. — Robinson Cano and Derek Jeter exited to mystery. Are they the once and future double-play combo?
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Boston Globe, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Pinstriped Bible, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
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Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Your Morning Phil: Sveum, Girardi and a farewell
Your Morning Phil: Sveum, Girardi and a farewell
Discussion:
CSN Chicago, MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Five Teams That Could Sign Jose Abreu — Major League Baseball and the U.S. government have given Cuban first baseman Jose Abreu the green light to sign. — International scouts already have formed strong opinions about Abreu, who has been one of the most heavily-scouted Cuban players in recent years …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Amazin' Avenue, Lone Star Ball and Bucs Dugout
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Matthew Cerrone / Metsblog:
Mets will scout Jose Abreu, workouts on Tues. & Wed.
Mets will scout Jose Abreu, workouts on Tues. & Wed.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Over the Monster and MLB Daily Dish
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Josh Johnson Has Elbow Surgery; Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training — Righty Josh Johnson underwent minor elbow surgery this morning to remove bone spurs, agent Matt Sosnick tells MLBTR. Dr. James Andrews performed the procedure, telling Johnson he feels the discomfort caused …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Batter's Box Interactive … and Bluebird Banter
Mike Mazzeo / ESPN:
Supporters greet A-Rod; hearing enters Day 2 — A-Rod arrives at the MLB office at 245 Park Avenue for the second day of his grievance hearing. — NEW YORK — New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez was greeted Tuesday morning by approximately 50 supporters outside Major League …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Associated Press
MLB.com:
Marlins to sell no-hitter tickets — Marlins Pitcher Henderson Alvarez made history on Sunday by tossing the fifth no-hitter in franchise history and the first no-hitter at Marlins Park. The Marlins are offering fans who were unable to attend the game the opportunity to purchase the remaining unsold tickets from yesterday's game.
Discussion:
USA Today, Deadspin, The Biz of Baseball, The Strike Zone and HardballTalk
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Clark Spencer / MiamiHerald.com:
Henderson Alvarez closes Miami Marlins season with no-hitter
Henderson Alvarez closes Miami Marlins season with no-hitter
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Rangers Designate Joey Butler For Assignment — The Rangers have reinstated Nelson Cruz from the restricted list following his Biogenesis suspension and designated fellow outfielder Joey Butler for assignment in order to create room on the 40-man roster, according to executive vice president of communications John Blake (on Twitter).
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
MLB.com:
Rangers to activate Cruz for tiebreaker game — ARLINGTON — Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz has served his 50-game suspension and will be activated for Monday night's tiebreaker game against the Rays at the Ballpark in Arlington. Cruz accepted a 50-game suspension by Major League Baseball …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, The Strike Zone, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Dallas Morning News
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
ROCKIES TOP 3 ITEMS ON OFFSEASON TO-DO LIST AND POSITION BREAKDOWN — LOS ANGELES — The numbers are sobering for even the most die-hard of fans. — For the 14th time in 21 seasons, the Rockies finished with a losing record. For the first time in franchise history …
Discussion:
MLB.com and MLB Rumors