Top News:
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Mariners offer Cano nine years, $225 million in Seattle meeting — Robinson Cano traveled to Seattle Thursday, and sources told CBSSports.com that the Mariners offered the superstar second baseman a nine-year, $225 million contract in hopes of forging a deal with the top free agent and setting themselves up for a big winter.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball, MLB Rumors, ESPN, New York Post and NY Daily News
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Rosenthal: Cano to Seattle would make little sense — I can't wait to hear the rationale. — Whenever a free agent makes an inexplicable money grab, we always hear the most bizarre rationales. — For Alex Rodriguez, it was the Rangers' farm system. For Mike Hampton, it was the Denver school system.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
MLB:
Sources: Cano in Seattle for talks with M's — Free-agent second baseman Robinson Cano traveled to Seattle on Thursday night and met with the Mariners, sources told ESPN. — Cano — Cano's agent, Jay Z, is already in the Seattle area, flying in from Los Angeles, a source said.
Discussion:
Seattle Mariners blog, ESPN and ESPN.com
NY Daily News:
Robinson Cano's father says Yankees 'don't seem to want' to sign All-Star second baseman — Bombers say they want Cano back, but father is unconvinced as Mariners are on verge of offering $225 million deal to get him to Seattle. — Jose Cano (r.) best known for pitching to Robinson …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Brian Costa / Wall Street Journal:
With Ticket Revenue Down, Yankees Must Keep Spending
With Ticket Revenue Down, Yankees Must Keep Spending
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Tanaka may not be available to MLB suitors — Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka's future was thrown into flux Thursday when the president of the Rakuten Golden Eagles told a newspaper that the team might not make the prized starter available to Major League Baseball teams as a free agent this winter.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive … and River Avenue Blues
RELATED:
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Masahiro Tanaka could remain in Japan, president of his team says
Masahiro Tanaka could remain in Japan, president of his team says
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, CBSSports.com and MLB Rumors
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Royals Acquire Norichika Aoki — The Royals have acquired outfielder Norichika Aoki from the Brewers in exchange for left-hander Will Smith, the Brewers have announced via press release. The trade was first reported last night by the folks at the Royal Revival blog (on Twitter).
Discussion:
The Strike Zone, Metsblog and Royals Review
RELATED:
Metsblog:
Brewers trade Norichika Aoki to Royals — The Royals acquired OF Norichika Aoki from the Brewers in exchange for LHP Will Smith, the teams announced Thursday. — Aoki, 31, hit .286 with a .356 OBP, 20 stolen bases, 20 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 37 RBI last year.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox sign Belisario to 1-year deal — The Chicago White Sox agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract Thursday with free agent reliever Ronald Belisario. — Belisario, 30, wasn't tendered a contract Monday night by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Belisario attracted preliminary interest …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, CBSSports.com, South Side Sox, True Blue LA and HardballTalk
T.R. Sullivan / Postcards From Elysian Fields:
Rangers announce non-roster signings: Jose Contreras among them — The Texas Rangers announced today that the club signed three free agents, right-handed pitchers Jose Contreras and Nate Adcock and outfielder Bryan Petersen to 2014 minor league contracts with non-roster invitations to major league spring training.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
T.R. Sullivan / Postcards From Elysian Fields:
Rangers tried to trade for Arencibia before non-tender — The Rangers had serious trade discussions with the Blue Jays about catcher J.P. Arencibia before he was non-tendered on Monday, according to industry sources. — A trade was close to being completed but the Rangers were reluctant to add another arbitration-eligible player.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Texas seeking backup catcher who can step up
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Twins Designate Liam Hendriks For Assignment — The Twins have designated right-hander Liam Hendriks for assignment in order to clear a roster spot for the newly signed Phil Hughes, according to Tyler Mason of FOX Sports North (on Twitter). — Hendriks, who turns 25 in February …
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox To Sign Edward Mujica — The Red Sox have agreed to terms on a two-year, $9.5MM contract with right-hander Edward Mujica, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. Mujica, who is represented by Octagon, will take a physical today, according to Passan.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Union-News, Boston Globe and whygavs.com
Marc Carig / Newsday:
Source: Curtis Granderson looking for four years, $64 million — In their pursuit of Curtis Granderson, the Mets may be forced to answer a $64-million question. — According to an industry source, the free-agent outfielder has been seeking a four-year deal worth roughly $16 million per season.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors