Top News:
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:
River Avenue Blues
RELATED:
Japan Times latest:
MLB, NPB reach basic agreement on posting system — Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball have reached a basic agreement on a new posting system, sources said Thursday. — It is thought that an agreement has been reached after MLB requested a posting fee cap of $20 million.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Bleed Cubbie Blue and ESPN
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Masahiro Tanaka could remain in Japan, president of his team says — Masahiro Tanaka helped the Rakuten Golden Eagles win the Nippon Baseball League championship last season. (Jiji Press / AFP / Getty Images / November 3, 2013) — Right-hander Masahiro Tanaka might not be made available …
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:
Royals Review, Metsblog and The Strike Zone
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, True Blue LA, South Side Sox and HardballTalk
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Mariners likely to offer Cano nine years, $225M — According to a source, the Mariners may be about to offer a $225-million, nine-year deal to superstar Robinson Cano in their strong effort to lure the longtime Yankee away from New York. — The Yankees are said to be willing to go to $175 million …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and River Avenue Blues
RELATED:
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Source: Mariners going after Robinson Cano ‘guns-a-blazing’
Source: Mariners going after Robinson Cano ‘guns-a-blazing’
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, ESPN, Red Sox Monster and New York Post
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
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:
HardballTalk and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
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
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
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
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
COLORADO ROCKIES — COLORADO MANAGEMENT BELIEVES JUSTIN MORNEAU CAN FIND HIS STROKE AND OFFER POWER AND EXPERIENCE — The Denver Post — At age 32, with his glory days in the rearview mirror, Justin Morneau is looking for a new beginning at the foot of the Rockies.
Discussion:
Purple Row