Top News:
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Sources: Seattle emerges in quest for Cano — NEW YORK — The Seattle Mariners have emerged as major players in the sweepstakes for free agent Robinson Cano, according to several sources who spoke to ESPNNewYork.com on Tuesday on the condition of anonymity.
Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Rays Acquire Ryan Hanigan, Heath Bell In Three-Team Deal — The Rays, Reds and Diamondbacks successfully completed a three-team trade today, the teams have announced. Tampa Bay acquired catcher Ryan Hanigan (and promptly extended him) from the Reds and Heath Bell (pictured) from the Diamondbacks.
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Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Kevin Towers On Heath Bell Trade — Earlier today, the Diamondbacks completed a three-team deal with the Rays and Reds which saw Tampa Bay acquire catcher Ryan Hanigan from the Reds and Heath Bell from Arizona. The D'Backs didn't get big time talent back in the trade, but they unloaded $5.5MM of the $6MM they owed to Bell in 2014.
Discussion:
Inside the 'Zona, AZ Snake Pit, DRaysBay, My Pinstripes and Red Reporter
Fred Goodall / Associated Press:
Rays acquire C Hanigan, RHP Bell in 3-team trade
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com Sports News …:
Ellsbury getting close to a seven-year deal with the Yankees — Star free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is in serious talks with the Yankees and the sides appear to be close to reaching a seven-year deal. sources said. — The longtime Red Sox is said to be about to choose the Yankees …
Discussion:
Metsblog, The Big Lead, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and itsaboutthemoney.net
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Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox to sign catcher A.J. Pierzynski — The Red Sox have agreed to terms with veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski. The one-year deal is worth $8.25 million. — Pierzynski will be playing for his third team in as many years. After spending 2005-2012 with the White Sox …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and the joy of sox
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Barry Jackson / Sports Buzz:
10 p.m. update: Marlins in mix for Red Sox catcher; Philbin, Sherman, Coyle address Dolphins issues — 10 p.m. update: The Marlins are one of three teams in the mix to sign Red Sox free agent catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, an official in touch with the team's front office told us earlier this evening.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Boston Globe, Fish Stripes, Twinkie Town and HardballTalk
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins make offer to catcher Saltalamacchia
Marlins make offer to catcher Saltalamacchia
Discussion:
Boston Globe, MLB Rumors and Red Sox Monster
San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants' prospects injured in Arizona wreck — (12-03) 12:24 PST SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — A van carrying minor league prospects for the San Francisco Giants was involved in a traffic collision in Scottsdale, Ariz. on Tuesday morning, injuring four people affiliated with the club, authorities said.
Discussion:
Baseball America and CBSSports.com
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Catherine Holland / Associated Press:
SF Giants minor leaguers involved in car-van wreck in Scottsdale
SF Giants minor leaguers involved in car-van wreck in Scottsdale
Discussion:
NESN.com
New York Post:
Carlos Beltan in KC as Royals make big push for Beltran — Let the Battle for Beltran begin. — Free-agent slugger Carlos Beltran is in Kansas City being wooed by the Royals, The Post has learned. The club is hoping for a big-bang reunion with Beltran, who began his career in Kansas City.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, NESN.com, Royals Review and ESPN
Dan Szymborski / ESPN:
O's need more than Johnson trade — Baltimore must make some major moves after unloading its pricey closer — The Baltimore Orioles finally joined the rest of baseball in the offseason, trading closer Jim Johnson to the Oakland Athletics for second baseman Jemile Weeks and a player to be named later.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, FanGraphs Baseball, MLB and ESPN
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
Nationals Steal Doug Fister From Tigers — The Tigers have six good starting pitchers, if you believe that Drew Smyly should be able to transition back to starting after a successful pitstop in the bullpen. Steamer projects all five of their current starters for at least +3 WAR next year …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Fox Sports, Nationals Pastime, Federal Baseball, MLive.com, Philly.com, DRaysBay, Detroit Free Press, Bless You Boys and GammonsDaily.com
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ESPN.com:
Nationals get Doug Fister in trade
Nationals get Doug Fister in trade
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Bless You Boys, MLB Daily Dish and Federal Baseball
Chris Cotillo / MLB Daily Dish:
Nationals acquire Doug Fister from Tigers
Nationals acquire Doug Fister from Tigers
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Rekha Muddaraj / KHOU-TV:
Reliant security guards say they were fired for taking photos with Tom Brady — HOUSTON - Two security guards working Sunday's Houston Texans game claim they were fired after taking a picture with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. — Joel Williams, who was working security at Reliant Stadium …
Discussion:
USA Today, NESN.com, The Big Lead, Deadspin, ESPN and Tangotiger Blog
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Astros Acquire Dexter Fowler — The Rockies announced that they have traded outfielder Dexter Fowler and a player to be named later to the Astros in exchange for right-hander Jordan Lyles and outfielder Brandon Barnes. — Fowler, 28 in March, wasn't able to replicate his brilliant offensive performance …
Discussion:
Purple Row, baseballmusings.com and The Crawfish Boxes
Espn Com / MLB:
Joe Nathan, Detroit Tigers close — The Detroit Tigers are close to a deal with free agent closer Joe Nathan, a source has told ESPN's Buster Olney. — David Pepe, Nathan's agent, declined to comment on the original report by Foxsports.com. — The pending deal comes after Brian Wilson …
Associated Press:
Clark becomes 1st ex-player to lead MLBPA — SAN DIEGO — Tony Clark has become the first former big leaguer to lead the baseball players' union, pending a vote by the general membership. — The MLBPA's executive board voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint Clark to replace Michael Weiner, who died Nov. 22 of brain cancer.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com