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 …
Discussion:
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
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:
Baseball Hot Corner, MLB Trade Rumors, 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
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rockies Sign Daniel Descalso — 1:17pm: Descalso will receive a $3.6MM guarantee, agent Steve Cantor tells ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (Twitter link). He will earn $1.5MM this year and $2.1MM next, per SB Nation's Chris Cotillo (via Twitter). Each contract year also includes up to $500K in attainable incentives.
Discussion:
Purple Row and MLB Daily Dish
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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