Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Matt Kemp's arthritic hips hold up deal with Padres — The San Diego Padres are trying to decide whether to finalize or void their blockbuster trade for Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp after his physical revealed severe arthritis in both hips, a person familiar with the diagnosis told USA TODAY Sports.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, Purple Row, CBSSports.com, ESPN, Deadspin and NESN.com
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ESPN:
Kemp to Padres deal clears hurdles — The blockbuster deal sending outfielder Matt Kemp from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the San Diego Padres has been agreed upon, sources told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne. — The deal was jeopardized after Kemp's physical revealed arthritis in both hips, USA Today had reported.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, MLB and ESPN.com
Fox Sports:
Rosenthal: Latest on what's keeping Kemp trade to San Diego in limbo — FOX Sports … The Dodgers supposedly traded Matt Kemp to San Diego nearly a week ago, but as of Wednesday night the outfielder is still not a Padre. And the clock is ticking to get the deal done.
Discussion:
The Beast 980, Gaslamp Ball, FanGraphs Baseball, True Blue LA, MLB Daily Dish and baseballmusings.com
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Kottaras to join White Sox with Minor League deal — 5/4/14: George Kottaras goes yard twice, notching the first multi-homer game of his career in his first game with the Indians — CHICAGO — George Kottaras will join the White Sox via a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and HardballTalk
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs acquire Minor League pitcher, send Ruggiano to M's — A 28th-round pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, Matt Brazis is 8-6 with 14 saves and a 2.89 ERA in 100 Minor League relief appearances over three seasons. (Brian McLeod) — CHICAGO — The Cubs dealt outfielder Justin Ruggiano …
Discussion:
Cubs 101
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Red Sox In Active Trade Talks Regarding Allen Craig — The Red Sox are in active trade talks with at least one club regarding first baseman/outfielder Allen Craig, reports Jon Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Craig is said to be fully recovered from a painful Lisfranc fracture suffered in his left foot in August, Morosi adds.
Discussion:
Hot Stove
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Rob Bradford / Full Count:
David Ross, Craig Breslow still in mix with Red Sox
David Ross, Craig Breslow still in mix with Red Sox
Discussion:
NESN.com, Over the Monster and MLB Daily Dish
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
How Will MLB Handle Big Changes With Cuba? — The next step toward an influx of Cuban players coming to Major League Baseball teams is underway. On Wednesday, President Barack Obama announced sweeping changes in the United States' Cuban policies, easing trade and travel restrictions …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, redsminorleagues.com, NESN.com and Reuters
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Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Opening of Relations Could Bring Cuban Stars to Major League Baseball
Opening of Relations Could Bring Cuban Stars to Major League Baseball
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, New Jersey Online, The LoHud Yankees Blog and BusinessJournalism.org …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Angels, Dodgers Complete Drew Butera Trade — The Dodgers announced today that they have acquired infielder/outfielder Matt Long from the Angels to complete last week's Drew Butera trade. However, the team also announced that it has has immediately flipped Long and left-hander Jarret Martin …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
NATS COULD BE BIG WINNER IN 3-TEAM TRADE OF PADRES GETTING RAYS' MYERS — Anyone who rushes to judgment on the Rays-Padres-Nationals megadeal might want to recall the last time Wil Myers was traded. — Remember? — The Royals were ripped for trading Myers, then one of the game's top hitting prospects …
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Nats Noodles, The Nationals Review, Federal Baseball, Nats Insider and ESPN
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Josh Johnson, Padres Nearing One-Year Deal — 5:44pm: The base value of Johnson's deal is worth slightly under $2MM, but with incentives that could raise the total value to $8MM, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman tweets. — 5:00pm: The Padres and Josh Johnson are on the verge of completing a one-year deal, tweets Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.
Discussion:
MLB.com, HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals Sign Kris Medlen — The Royals announced that they have signed right-hander Kris Medlen to a two-year deal that contains a mutual option for the 2017 season. Medlen, who is represented by the Wasserman Media Group, reportedly receives an $8.5MM guarantee. He'll earn $2MM in 2015 and $5.5MM in 2016.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Talking Chop and Where Have You Gone …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
A Salute to Sy Berger, From a Card-Carrying Fan — When you grow up with a singular focus, whatever it is, you may find yourself relating to Will Ferrell's character in “Elf.” Explaining his eating habits to his new family, the man-child from the North Pole says he sticks to the four main food groups …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
A's Acquire Eury De La Rosa, Designate Fernando Rodriguez — The Athletics announced that they have acquired lefty Eury De La Rosa from the Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations and designated right-hander Fernando Rodriguez for assignment. — The 24-year-old De La Rosa …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation