Top News:
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:
MLB Rumors, OutsidePitchMLB LLC, Pinstripe Alley, River Avenue Blues, HardballTalk, Deadspin, The Big Lead, Boston Globe, Metsblog, itsaboutthemoney.net and ESPN
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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.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Ellsbury, Yanks reportedly have seven-year deal — Contract is believed to be worth $153 million, with an option for the 2021 season — NEW YORK — Jacoby Ellsbury is ready to trade in his Red Sox for Yankees pinstripes, approaching the finish line on serious talks that are set to deliver …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout and Surviving Grady
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: Jacoby Ellsbury, Yanks agree — Free-agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury has reached agreement on a seven-year contract with the New York Yankees pending a physical exam, a baseball source told ESPN.com. — According to multiple reports, the deal will pay Ellsbury $153 million …
Discussion:
OutsidePitchMLB LLC and HardballTalk
Fred Goodall / Associated Press:
Rays acquire C Hanigan, RHP Bell in 3-team trade — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Catcher Ryan Hanigan and reliever Heath Bell are eager to try to help the Tampa Bay Rays get back to the playoffs. — Hanigan was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds and Bell from the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a three-team trade Tuesday.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
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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, Red Reporter and DRaysBay
Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Rays Acquire Ryan Hanigan, Heath Bell In Three-Team Deal
Rays Acquire Ryan Hanigan, Heath Bell In Three-Team Deal
Discussion:
Red Reporter, AZ Snake Pit, OutsidePitchMLB LLC and HardballTalk
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Mets, Curtis Granderson talks intensify — NEW YORK — Talks between the New York Mets and Curtis Granderson's representatives intensified late Tuesday, and a source familiar with the negotiations told ESPNNewYork.com the organization is negotiating to land the free-agent outfielder on a three-year deal.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, NY Daily News, HardballTalk, OutsidePitchMLB LLC and Metsblog
Fox Sports:
Rosenthal: On ‘second’ thought, Reds unlikely to trade Phillips — For much of the offseason, many in baseball expected the Cincinnati Reds to trade second baseman Brandon Phillips. — A deal, however, appears increasingly unlikely, according to major league sources.
Discussion:
Cincinnati Reds and Redleg Nation
Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Phillies Acquire Brad Lincoln — The Phillies announced that they acquired right-handed pitcher Brad Lincoln from the Blue Jays in exchange for catcher Erik Kratz and minor league left-hander Rob Rasmussen. — Lincoln, 28, appeared in 22 games for Toronto in 2013 and posted a 3.98 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 6.3 BB/9.
Discussion:
The Good Phight, Bluebird Banter, OutsidePitchMLB LLC and Phillies Nation
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:
McCovey Chronicles
Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Rockies To Sign Justin Morneau — The Rockies have agreed to sign Justin Morneau to a two-year deal worth roughly $13MM, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). — Morneau hit .259/.323/.411 with 17 homers in 2013, a slash line that is a slight improvement …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Purple Row, OutsidePitchMLB LLC and Bucs Dugout
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
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins make offer to catcher Saltalamacchia
Marlins make offer to catcher Saltalamacchia
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Red Sox Monster and MLB Rumors
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