Top News:
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles still interested in Padres' Seth Smith and Will Venable, sources say — The hot stove likely will be set on simmer and put on the back burner after today for the holidays. The industry usually goes quiet in the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and HardballTalk
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Big gap still exists in Mets' Tulowitzki talks — and Yankees check in on SS — The Mets maintain interest in Rockies star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, but it's clear there's a major gap to bridge in negotiations between the teams, with differences in ideas of player compensation and financial considerations, as well.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, Baseball Prospectus, Amazin' Avenue, ESPN, Metsblog, Pinstripe Alley and Hot Stove
RELATED:
August Fagerstrom / FanGraphs Baseball:
How the Teams Are Built — It's been a busy offseason. Don't believe me?
How the Teams Are Built — It's been a busy offseason. Don't believe me?
Discussion:
Royals Review, Amazin' Avenue and Metsblog
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Shortstop aims to be ready for Opening Day after hip surgery
Shortstop aims to be ready for Opening Day after hip surgery
Discussion:
HardballTalk and New Jersey Online
Phil Rogers / MLB.com:
Korean infielder has talent, power to help Pittsburgh make another playoff push — MLB.com analyst Jim Duquette discusses why the Pirates are interested in Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang and whether the team can make a deal — When you've signed strong-armed neophytes from India and taught …
Discussion:
Fox Sports
RELATED:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates Win Bidding For Jung-ho Kang
Pirates Win Bidding For Jung-ho Kang
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, Talking Chop, english.yonhapnews.co.kr, Where Have You Gone …, MLB Daily Dish and Nationals Pastime
Associated Press:
IRS to auction Darryl Strawberry's deferred Mets salary — A minimum bid of $550,000 has been set for the Jan. 20 auction, which will offer a deferred compensation agreement of $1,279,000 that was part of Strawberry's 1985-90 contract with the Mets. — ST. LOUIS (AP) …
RELATED:
Darren Rovell / ESPN:
IRS to auction deferred Mets contract
IRS to auction deferred Mets contract
Discussion:
CNNMoney.com, CBSSports.com and New Jersey Online
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves Sign Jason Grilli — The Braves have struck a move to bolster their bullpen, adding right-hander Jason Grilli on a two-year deal with a third-year club option, the team announced Tuesday night. Grilli, a client of player-turned-agent Gary Sheffield, will reportedly earn $8MM over the life of the contract.
Discussion:
Talking Chop, Amazin' Avenue, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and Hot Stove
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Claim Scott Barnes, Preston Guilmet — The Blue Jays announced that they have claimed left-hander Scott Barnes off waivers from the Rangers and right-hander Preston Guilmet from the Pirates. SB Nation's Chris Cotillo first tweeted that Guilmet had been claimed by Toronto earlier this afternoon.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Twins Sign Tim Stauffer — The Twins announced that they have signed right-hander Tim Stauffer to a one-year, $2.2MM contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, Eric Fryer has been outrighted to Triple-A. Additionally, Minnesota announced that Chris Parmelee, who had been designated …
Discussion:
Twinkie Town and Gaslamp Ball
Ronald Blum / Globe and Mail:
Major League Baseball average salary rises above $3.8-million — Major League Baseball's average salary shot up to more than $3.8-million (U.S.) this year following the steepest rise since 2001, putting big-leaguers on track to top the $4-million barrier for the first time in 2015.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
Who belongs in MLB Hall of Fame? Daily News voters discuss intriguing names on 2015 ballot — Hall of Fame voters (Hall of Famer Bill Madden along with John Harper and Anthony McCarron) discuss this year's class, with a focus on those nominees with New York ties.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Fox Sports:
CHANGES COMING TO MLBPA AGENT CERTIFICATION … It's soon going to be harder to be an agent certified by the Major League Baseball Player's Association. The process is about to change, and though it's been due for an update for a while, the new rules are not without questions. Will they change anything?
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Chris Mosch / Baseball Prospectus:
Rumor Roundup: Marlins Not Really Interested In Having Exactly Three Outfielders On Their Roster by Chris Mosch — Marlins Not Really Interested In Having Exactly Three Outfielders On Their Roster — When it comes to formidable young outfield cores, there aren't too many that can top the one assembled in Miami.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes, U-T San Diego stories and Hot Stove
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cardinals Sign Jordan Walden To Two-Year Deal — 7:35pm: Walden receives a $350K signing bonus before earning $2.5MM in 2015 and $3.5MM in 2016, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports tweets. The $5.25MM club option comes with a $250K buyout. — 12:07pm: The Cardinals have announced a two-year deal …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Michael Gehlken / U-T San Diego stories:
Manti Te'o moves forward: ‘Find a new joke’ — Chargers linebacker continues to evolve in 2nd year — Manti Te'o is focused on the present. — The Chargers are encouraged by his future. — That someone still wants to bring up the past, well, all the inside linebacker can do is respond with an incredulous laugh.
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, NESN.com, SBNation.com and ESPN