Top News:
Justin Sablich / New York Times:
Highlights and Analysis: 2013 N.L. Wildcard — Pirates 6, Reds 2 — Anyone who has even casually followed the Pittsburgh Pirates this season is probably familiar with one particular number: 21. That's how many years it had been since the Pirates have made the postseason, let alone had a winning season.
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John Fay / Cincinnati Reds:
Jocketty says Baker will be back — PITTSBURGH — Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said in the immediate wake of the Reds' elimination from the postseason that Reds manager Dusty Baker will be back. — Asked if there was any question about Baker returning, Jocketty said: “I don't think so,” Jocketty said.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
ESPN:
Yu Darvish dealt with nerve problem — ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers ace Yu Darvish suffered from a nerve problem in his lower back and buttocks area in September, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN Dallas.com on Wednesday. — The issues caused numbness down Darvish's right leg …
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News and HardballTalk
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Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox will face Rays or Indians
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe, Bless You Boys, Twinkie Town and Surviving Grady
NY Daily News:
Alex Rodriguez tells panel he was duped into taking steroids: source — The embattled Yankee and his lawyers have presented a case based partly on the idea that Rodriguez believed the substances he procured from the Biogenesis anti-aging clinic were innocent legal supplements.
Discussion:
ESPN, HardballTalk, CBSSports.com, Deadspin and The Big Lead
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Mariners Will Make Qualifying Offer To Morales — The Mariners will “definitely” make a qualifying offer to impending free agent Kendrys Morales, general manager Jack Zduriencik said on 710 ESPN Radio in Seattle (h/t: MLB.com's Greg Johns on Twitter). — A qualifying offer …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, U.S.S. Mariner and Lookout Landing
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
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Melvin talks Crew's bright spots, offseason plans — GM confident club can win with current roster, intends to add to first-base depth — MILWAUKEE — Two days after the end of a season that saw the Brewers win 12 of their final 18 games but finish 14 games under .500 …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Yankees GM Brian Cashman's lose-lose dilemma on Robinson Cano; Girardi return seems likelier; NY Mets likely to tender Turner — The Yankees need to sign Robinson Cano. The Yankees need to let Robinson Cano decline in some other city. You have heard both arguments many times …
Discussion:
Metsblog and Amazin' Avenue
Ryan Divish / Mariners Insider:
Sitdown interview with Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln (Part 1). — It was an odd end to yet another disappointing season for the Seattle Mariners. They finished the 2013 season with 91 losses - their fourth straight losing season. And in the final days of the season, manager Eric Wedge decided …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and U.S.S. Mariner
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays praise Delmon Young's impact — CLEVELAND — Evan Longoria proved again in Monday's tiebreaker win that — even in a season marred by inconsistency — he is still the biggest force in the Rays lineup. And Wil Myers has been putting an impressive finish on his first big-league season.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Baseball Prospectus
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Minor Moves: Velez, Gomez, Diaz, Leon — Here are today's minor moves from around the league... - The Brewers have re-signed infielders Eugenio Velez and Hector Gomez and catcher Robinzon Diaz to minor league deals with invitations to Spring Training, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
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
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 and Phillies Nation
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Ryan Lawrence / Philly.com:
Phillies Notebook: Phillies' Ruiz hopes to return next season
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
ESPN:
Cubs dismiss manager Sveum after 2 years — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have fired manager Dale Sveum after finishing last in the NL Central for the first time in seven years. — The Cubs closed the campaign dropping 41 of their final 59 games, including six of their final seven.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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