Top News:
Rob Neyer / Fox Sports:
IF PIRATES SIGN KANG, THEN WHAT? — So the Pirates have won the auction for South Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang. Well, they've actually won just the auction for the right to negotiate with Kang. But after bidding $5 million for that right, it's fairly hard to imagine the Corsairs not making an offer Kang can't refuse.
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FanGraphs Baseball
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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 …
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Bullpen, roster flexibility and improved defense key to competing in tough division — Indians reporter Jordan Bastian discusses how the signing of Scott Downs could affect the rest of the team's left-handed bullpen pitchers — CLEVELAND — From the snow-covered steps of the home dugout …
Discussion:
Major League Bastian
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Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Club planning to implement new Spring Training workouts
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Guillermo Heredia Leaves Cuba — Guillermo Heredia, the center fielder on Cuba's 2013 World Baseball Classic team known for his defense, has left the island to pursue a contract with a major league team, Baseball America has learned. — Heredia, 23, will be exempt from the international bonus pools …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Hot Stove
NY Daily News:
Yankees radio voice John Sterling loses home in New Jersey fire, feels outpouring of love from friends — For reality told Sterling that there is stark uncertainty. No one plans for moments like these. Tuesday night he had a roof over his head. A day later he wasn't so sure.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, The Big Lead and Bleeding Yankee Blue
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Skipper's desire to win can be traced back to past D-backs Fantasy Camps — MLB.com D-backs reporter Steve Gilbert remembers Chip Hale's intensity as a manager at Fantasy Camp as he prepares for his first season — PHOENIX — Chip Hale gathered his players together following the loss, the disappointment visible on his face.
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Club's interim president sees progress with young prospects — Pat Gillick presents Tom Kotchman, Jim Walton, Art Stewart, Joe McIlvaine and Jim Marshall with the Legends in Scouting Award — READING, Pa. — Pat Gillick offered fans some much-needed candor in the fall when he said the Phillies …
Discussion:
The Good Phight and Hot Stove
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Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Revere out to become more than just a singles hitter
Revere out to become more than just a singles hitter
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and Crashburn Alley
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Indians unveil plans for new concessions — Melt Bar and Grilled is one of a handful of local eateries set to take up residence at Progressive Field. — CLEVELAND — One of the goals behind the ongoing renovation project at Progressive Field was to find ways to introduce elements of Cleveland neighborhoods within the ballpark.
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Thanks A-Rod! Free agent pitcher James Shields not Yankees plans, partly because big contract is back — Alex Rodriguez's contract, among others, preventing the Yankees from making big splash in the pitching market this offseason. — In case you held out hope that the Yankees would turn …
Discussion:
Hot Stove
Roch Kubatko / School of Roch:
Orioles reach agreement with Steve Johnson — The Orioles have reached agreement with pitcher Steve Johnson on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, allowing the Baltimore native to stay home. — Johnson, 27, is rehabbing from surgery in September to remove a bone spur behind his right shoulder.
Discussion:
CBS Baltimore, Camden Chat, HardballTalk and Baltimore Sun
Jon Paul Morosi / Fox Sports:
Sources: MLB to allow minor leaguers to play in Pan American Games — FOX Sports — Major League Baseball clubs will allow minor league players to participate in the Pan American Games in Toronto this July. — MLB-affiliated players who aren't protected on 40-man rosters are expected …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Patrick Saunders / On the Rox:
Rockies notes: Rosario plans, Blackmon trade, Shields rumors — TOPICS — Catching up on various Rockies rumors and reports: — * General manager Jeff Bridich tells me that the team is confident that catcher Wilin Rosario can make the transition from catcher to first base, and possibly even right field.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Rockies Zingers Colorado … and CBSSports.com