Top News:
Jesse Sanchez / Jesse Sanchez at the Park:
Yasmany Tomas to D-backs — Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas and the D-backs have agreed to a six-year deal worth $68.5 million, according to industry sources. — The Tomas deal will include an opt-out after four years and is pending a physical, the sources said. The D-backs have not confirmed the agreement.
RELATED:
Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
Source: Tomas agrees to six-year deal with D-backs — 3/6/13: Yasmany Tomas launches a deep home run to left-center field to give Cuba a 1-0 lead against Japan in the World Baseball Classic — Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas and the D-backs have agreed to a six-year deal worth $68.5 million, according to industry sources.
Discussion:
U-T San Diego stories
Chris Denorfia / Plain Dealer:
Chase Headley off Cleveland Indians radar, but Chris Denorfia, Kendrys Morales possible targets — Outfielder Chris Denorfia, who started last season with San Diego and finished it with Seattle, is a free agent the Indians have shown some interest in this offseason. (Pat Sullivan/Associated Press)
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Let's Go Tribe and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yankees won't get into bidding war for Chase Headley, according to source — Headley is primed to cash in after the recent mega deals signed by Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez. But the Yankees won't break the bank to keep him. 'If they have to go with (Martin) Prado at third, they're not afraid to do that.'
Discussion:
U-T San Diego stories and HardballTalk
Pablo Sandoval / Plain Dealer:
Boston Red Sox prove (once again) that competitive balance in baseball will never exist
Boston Red Sox prove (once again) that competitive balance in baseball will never exist
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch, HardballTalk, ESPN and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Free agent may be prime candidate to add defense at hot corner
Free agent may be prime candidate to add defense at hot corner
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe, Baseball Prospectus and HardballTalk
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Headley stands to gain from Panda, Hanley deals
Headley stands to gain from Panda, Hanley deals
Discussion:
Fish Stripes, MLB Trade Rumors and Gaslamp Ball
Nick CafardoGLOBE / BostonGlobe.com:
Teams throwing their best pitches at Jon Lester — Jon Lester should feel good about himself and Boston. — The majority of Red Sox fans want him back. They would have had Lester signed first, before Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez, but that's not the order of business in major league baseball right now.
Discussion:
Boston Herald and Over the Monster
RELATED:
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Giants think big post Panda: Upton, Tomas, Cruz, even Scherzer on menu
Giants think big post Panda: Upton, Tomas, Cruz, even Scherzer on menu
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, McCovey Chronicles, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, FanGraphs Baseball, Lookout Landing and HardballTalk
ESPN.com:
Source: Lester, Giants will meet next week
Source: Lester, Giants will meet next week
Discussion:
ESPN, Viva El Birdos and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians AL Central rivals showing interest in Justin Masterson — Paul Hoynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group By Paul Hoynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group — CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Indians haven't shown a lot of interest in Justin Masterson outside of some early contact at the start of the free agent season.
Discussion:
South Side Sox, MLB Trade Rumors, CBSSports.com and HardballTalk
Dick Kaegel / Associated Press:
Butler thanks KC for his time with the Royals — Billy Butler capped off his Royals career with a trip to the World Series in 2014. — KANSAS CITY — Departed designated hitter Billy Butler gave thanks to Kansas City fans and the Royals organization on Thursday by taking out a full-page ad …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
With righty-heavy offense, pitching staff, club looks to even things out with southpaws — On Hot Stove, Bob Costas joins the show to discuss the historic Giancarlo Stanton contract, the top free agents still available and more — MIAMI — When it comes to making personnel decisions …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Fish Stripes and MLB Trade Rumors
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
With kids off to college, Tigers outfielder reflects on Katrina's role in household — DETROIT — Torii Hunter has been reaching milestones for the last several years. This is one his wife, Katrina, can celebrate: They're just a few weeks away from becoming empty-nesters.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
MLB.com:
Poll of media members would send Unit, Biggio, Smoltz, Pedro to Cooperstown — With the Hall of Fame still fresh on everyone's mind, we thought it would be fun — yes, fun! — to look ahead to next year's Hall of Fame class. — We asked a panel of 40 media members from across the spectrum …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Batter's Box Interactive …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rays Sign Ernesto Frieri, Designate Sean Rodriguez — The Rays announced that they have signed right-hander Ernesto Frieri to a one-year, Major League contract. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets that Frieri, a client of agent Matt Colleran, will earn an $800K base salary and can take home …
Discussion:
DRaysBay, MLB Daily Dish, Bluebird Banter and Bucs Dugout
Matthew Cerrone / Metsblog:
Jimmy Rollins is pricey, could again be available in May — The Yankees had interest in acquiring Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins, but are moving on since the asking price is too high, according to ESPN's Jason Stark (Twitter, Nov. 26). — The Mets also contacted the Phillies about acquiring Rollins …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, River Avenue Blues and Phillies Nation