Top News:
Richard Justice / MLB.com:
Beane not afraid to take a chance to make A's better — MLB.com's Richard Justice discusses the Athletics trading Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays for Brett Lawrie and three prospects — If you're wondering what Billy Beane has in mind for the A's, don't waste your time. Besides, why spoil the surprise?
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Acquire Josh Donaldson From Athletics For Brett Lawrie, Three Others — The Blue Jays have officially struck a deal to acquire third baseman Josh Donaldson from the Athletics. Heading back to Oakland are infielder Brett Lawrie, righty Kendall Graveman, shortstop Franklin Barreto, and lefty Sean Nolin.
Discussion:
GammonsDaily.com, Bucs Dugout, CBSSports.com, Sportsnet.ca, Athletics Nation, MLB Daily Dish and Al's Ramblings
Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun Times:
White Sox talking with A's about Jeff Samardzija — The White Sox would put their money where their mouths are if they pull off a trade with the Oakland Athletics for Jeff Samardzija. — The former Cubs right-hander, whose presence between Chris Sale and Jose Quintana in the starting rotation …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bleed Cubbie Blue and HardballTalk
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
MAKING SENSE OF A'S TRADE OF ALL-STAR DONALDSON TO BLUE JAYS — I understand Billy Beane's thinking. But I also understand all those who will say, “Stop it! Enough already!” — Josh Donaldson is that good, one of the top all-around performers in the game — and a player who is about to turn 29 …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, South Side Sox, ESPN and Lone Star Ball
USA Today:
A's trade star 3B Josh Donaldson to Blue Jays — In a surprising five-player deal that marks the go-for-broke mentality of one club and the possible rebuilding of another, the Oakland Athletics traded All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Bill Baer / HardballTalk:
Blue Jays acquire Josh Donaldson in a trade with the Athletics — Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Athletics have traded third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Blue Jays. The deal has been confirmed by MLB.com's Jane Lee. — The Athletics will receive infielder Brett Lawrie along …
ESPN.com:
A's trade Josh Donaldson to Jays … The Oakland Athletics have traded third baseman Josh Donaldson to the Toronto Blue Jays. — The A's will receive Brett Lawrie, Kendall Graveman, Franklin Barreto and Sean Nolin. — Donaldson told the San Francisco Chronicle that he was playing video games …
Discussion:
Associated Press and ESPN
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
So What Are the A's Doing Anyway? — Four months ago, the A's made the biggest splash of the summer, trading elite prospect Addison Russell in a package that landed them both Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel. It was a clear go-for-it trade, giving up a player rated as one of the 5-10 best prospects …
Discussion:
The Good Phight, MLB Trade Rumors and Let's Go Tribe
Lee Enterprises / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards can be patient with pitching market — • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285 — As John Mozeliak surveyed the Cardinals' roster midway through spring training in 2008, his first as the club's general manager, he saw a rotation light on innings and heavy with health issues.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, HardballTalk and NESN.com
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers comfortable with rotation but checked in on Masterson — With or without Max Scherzer, the Tigers are comfortable with their starting rotation heading into next season. — President and general manager Dave Dombrowski made that clear earlier this month after announcing the re-signing of designated hitter Victor Martinez.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Bless You Boys
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Justin Masterson and nine more potential free-agent ‘bargains’
Justin Masterson and nine more potential free-agent ‘bargains’
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals Re-Sign Jason Frasor — The Royals announced that they have re-signed right-hander Jason Frasor to a one-year deal with a mutual option for the 2016 season. Frasor, a client of agent Dave Meier, reportedly receives a $1.25MM base in 2015 with a $2MM option that contains a $550K buyout.
Discussion:
Royals Review and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Marlins Acquire Aaron Crow
Marlins Acquire Aaron Crow
Discussion:
Fish Stripes, HardballTalk and Royals Review
Dick Kaegel / Associated Press:
Butler thanks KC for his time with the Royals
Butler thanks KC for his time with the Royals
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, Amazin' Avenue and HardballTalk
Vince Lara-Cinisomo / Baseball America:
Rangers' Guzman Ordered To Stay In Dominican After Fatal Crash — Rangers first baseman Ronald Guzman, who ranked ninth in the system entering the season, has been ordered not to leave the Dominican Republic after his involvement in a fatal car accident, according to a statement released by his agent.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and CBSSports.com
Lynn Henning / The Detroit News:
Tigers set to play without Avila in 2016 — As for Tigers news that might have been underappreciated in the days following Detroit's farewell to 2014, there was the doctor's report on Alex Avila. — He had no detectable damage from the past season's concussions.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Trade Rumors