Top News:
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Left-hander excited to be in Chicago after rave reviews from Hammel, Samardzija — Cubs president of baseball ops Theo Epstein introduces new ace Jon Lester after agreeing to a six-year deal to bring the lefty to Chicago — CHICAGO — The Cubs formally introduced Jon Lester on Monday …
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Over the Monster
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CSN Chicago:
Cubs went all-out for Lester: ‘I was ready to soak myself in deer urine’ — Your browser does not support iframes. — How bad did Theo Epstein want to sign Jon Lester? — “I was ready to soak myself in deer urine, if necessary,” Epstein said. — The Cubs president of baseball operations …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Sporting News Feed RSS, HardballTalk and SBNation.com
Scooby Axson / SI.com:
SI Cover: The Jon Lester factor — Jon Lester featured on this week's Sports Illustrated cover … The Chicago Cubs haven't won the World Series since 1908, haven't been to the Fall Classic since 1945 and have failed to reach the playoffs in each of the past six seasons.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and NESN.com
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Hahn credits Sox sales increase for budget-busting signing — The ATM was empty and the White Sox offseason spending spree was over. — That was the message general manager Rick Hahn delivered last Thursday at the winter meetings in San Diego, capping a nice winter renovation.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Associated Press:
White Sox Announce Deal With OF Melky Cabrera — CHICAGO — The new-look White Sox added another bat to their potent lineup on Tuesday, announcing a $42 million, three-year contract with free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera. — The 30-year-old Cabrera will make $13 million next year …
Discussion:
South Side Sox and MLB Daily Dish
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Marlins To Sign Michael Morse — 12:28pm: Morse is expected to receive about $12MM in guaranteed money, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports on Twitter. That would seem to be an attractive price tag, especially compared to the $25MM given by the White Sox to the older, albeit more durable …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, SI.com, Fish Stripes, CBSSports.com, McCovey Chronicles and Amazin' Avenue
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / Sportsnet.ca:
Padres, Brandon Morrow agree to one-year deal — The San Diego Padres have agreed to terms with free agent right-hander Brandon Morrow on a one-year deal, an industry source told Sportsnet. — Morrow will earn a base salary of $2.5 million plus incentives, according to Corey Brock of MLB.com, who first reported the deal.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Baseball Hot Corner, MLB Daily Dish and Gaslamp Ball
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Padres, Mariners, Giants, Royals have shown interest in slugging outfielder
Padres, Mariners, Giants, Royals have shown interest in slugging outfielder
Discussion:
Mariners Insider, Royals Review, OutsidePitchMLB LLC, McCovey Chronicles and ESPN
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
State-of-the-art exhibit at Miller Park will pay tribute to retiring Commissioner — Brewers COO Rick Schlesinger and Bud Selig discuss plans to honor the retiring Commissioner with a special fan experience at Miller Park — MILWAUKEE — Allan H. “Bud” Selig was going to be a history professor …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Al's Ramblings
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees To Re-Sign Chris Capuano — The Yankees have agreed to a one-year deal with lefty Chris Capuano, Jack Curry of the YES Network reports (Twitter links). Capuano receives a $5MM guarantee, per Curry. ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick tweeted this morning that Capuano was nearing a deal with an unspecified big league club.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, HardballTalk and Hot Stove
NY Daily News:
Yankees and Alex Rodriguez set for more drama after Chase Headley signing — According to a person who has spoken to him ‘several times’ in recent months, A-Rod is determined to reclaim his old position in the infield and wants no part of being a full-time DH.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and CBSSports.com
Mike Petriello / MLB:
The secretly great Indians rotation — Young crew had a breakout second half, and there are tangible reasons why — Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco top a Tribe rotation that posted a 2.95 ERA after the All-Star break. — Some of the traditional American League powers haven't exactly …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and ESPN
Tracy Ringolsby / MLB.com:
Cox led efforts toward player development en route to 14 consecutive first-place finishes — With John Schuerholz in the front office and Bobby Cox in the dugout, the Braves built a long-term success story. (AP) — When “Moneyball” was published, the “in” thing among Major League teams …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Astros Sign Jed Lowrie To Three-Year Deal — The Astros announced that they have signed infielder Jed Lowrie to a three-year contract that runs through the 2018 season. Lowrie's contract reportedly guarantee him $23MM: $8MM in 2015, $7.5MM in 2016 and $6.5MM in 2017 with a $6MM club option ($1MM buyout) for 2018.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, Lone Star Ball, Baseball Hot Corner, Amazin' Avenue, MLB Daily Dish and Metsblog
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