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.
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CBSSports.com, Lone Star Ball, ESPN, NESN.com, Purple Row and Deadspin
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Justin Upton, Gattis are potential chips, but Hart not rushing to make deals — John Hart joins MLB Tonight to discuss his role as the Braves' general manager and how he plans to make the team a contender — ATLANTA — As the Braves have spent the past few weeks talking to other clubs …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
ESPN:
Kemp joins Padres after trade clears hurdles … LOS ANGELES — The blockbuster deal sending outfielder Matt Kemp from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the San Diego Padres is official, the teams announced Thursday night. — The deal was cast into some doubt after USA Today reported Thursday …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, ESPN.com and MLB
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Padres Acquire Derek Norris — The Padres and Athletics have continued their busy offseasons by announcing a multiplayer deal. Catcher Derek Norris, right-hander Seth Streich and an international signing slot are on the way to San Diego. with right-handers Jesse Hahn and R.J. Alvarez going to Oakland.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Sporting News Feed RSS, Athletics Nation and Amazin' Avenue
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Right-hander returning from Tommy John surgery — Dayton Moore announces a two-year contract with Kris Medlen as the pitcher talks about recovering from his second Tommy John surgery — The Royals would love to see Kris Medlen return to the form that made him one of the breakout pitching stars …
Discussion:
Royals Review
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals Sign Kris Medlen
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Talking Chop and Where Have You Gone …
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
Discussion:
NESN.com, MLB Daily Dish and Over the Monster
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:
Monkey with a Halo and True Blue LA
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:
NESN.com, redsminorleagues.com, HardballTalk and Reuters
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Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Opening of Relations Could Bring Cuban Stars to Major League Baseball
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, New Jersey Online and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Tampa Bay Times:
St. Petersburg Council rejects Rays stadium search — By Stephen Nohlgren, CHARLIE FRAGO and Kameel Stanley — ST. PETERSBURG — The stadium standoff continues. Baseball's uncertain future in Tampa Bay has just grown more complicated. — The St. Petersburg City Council Thursday rejected …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Al's Ramblings
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Correia, Harang, Johnson, Kendrick on club's radar as it seeks experience, depth — 9/24/14: Kyle Kendrick gives up only one run and six hits over seven innings of work to pick up his 10th win of the season for the Phillies — DENVER — The Rockies' exploration for veteran pitching has them kicking the tires on several free agents.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Trade Rumors
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Josh Johnson, Padres Nearing One-Year Deal — 10:11pm: Johnson's deal is “closer to $1MM” in base salary, a source tells Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link). The incentives could make the contract worth somewhere in the $7MM-$8MM range.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, HardballTalk, Hot Stove and MLB Daily Dish
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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