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Fred Mitchell / Chicago Tribune:
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MLB.com, ESPN, ESPN, baseballmusings.com, SI.com, HardballTalk, Bleacher Report, Associated Press and New Jersey Online
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Mike Ramsey / CBS Chicago:
Ernie Banks, Beloved ‘Mr. Cub,’ Dead at 83 — (CBS) - Ernie Banks, the legendary Chicago baseball player known as “Mr. Cub,” died Friday night, a family attorney said. — He was 83. — The announcement came Friday evening from Chicago lawyer Mark Bogen, who said he was authorized by Banks' widow …
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Beyond the Box Score, Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Trade Rumors and Gaslamp Ball
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Beloved Mr. Cub, Hall of Famer Banks dies at 83 — MLB Network looks back on the Hall of Fame career of Ernie Banks, who passed away at the age 83 — The preeminent advocate of two-for-the-price-of-one baseball, the former shortstop who hit hundreds of home runs at a time when shortstops …
Discussion:
Dodger Insider and MLB.com Blogs Central
ESPN:
Ernie Banks dies at age 83 — “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks has died at 83, just days before his 84th birthday. — Banks' wife, Liz, confirmed the news to the Chicago Tribune. — A 19-year-old Banks debuted for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro leagues in 1950.
Marc Carig / Newsday:
David Wright takes optimistic view of Mets' situation … Baseball — Ranking MLB's free agent position players … Mets — Mets in 2015: Keep 'em or dump 'em?
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Metsblog
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NY Daily News:
Mets' Michael Cuddyer looks to ease David Wright's burden, both on and off the field — Wright's longtime buddy has rolled into town as the team's lone major acquisition, and is poised to play a vital role. Having an old friend around, and one who happens to be a people person, will be a relief.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers In Serious Talks To Acquire Papelbon — 8:52am: Papelbon would want his $13MM option for the 2016 season to be guaranteed in order to waive his no-trade clause, Salisbury reports. That presents an expensive obstacle in trade talks, but Salisbury hears that the Phillies are committed …
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Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, CBSSports.com, HardballTalk and Bucs Dugout
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Exploring Pitching Upgrades
Brewers Exploring Pitching Upgrades
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Metsblog
Bob Dutton / Mariners Insider:
Mariners notebook: Montero's weight down; targeting another outfielder; four spots set in rotation — SEATTLE — Credit the Mariners for seeking to fill the void in a non-Seahawks' weekend by kicking off a four-day run of activities Thursday with their annual pre-spring training media luncheon at Safeco Field.
Discussion:
Metsblog
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Bucs' Bell leads list, followed by A's Olson, Yanks' Bird — MLBPipeline.com's 2015 Top 100 Prospects list will be unveiled on Friday, Jan. 30, on MLB.com, with the Top 50 revealed during a one-hour show on MLB Network at 9 p.m. ET. Leading up to that, MLBPipeline.com takes a look at baseball's Top 10 prospects at each position.
Discussion:
Cubs 101
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Marlins To Sign Ichiro Suzuki — 12:53pm: Ichiro's base salary will be exactly $2MM, tweets Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. — 12:03pm: The two sides are still hammering out the specifics of the performance bonuses that will be built into the contract before the deal becomes official, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Amazin' Avenue
Aaron Wilson / Baltimore Sun:
Ravens plan to release Terrence Cody, who is under investigation for animal cruelty — The Ravens intend to terminate veteran nose tackle Terrence Cody's contract after the Super Bowl, the team announced Friday morning. — Cody is under investigation for animal cruelty …
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, Deadspin, Bleacher Report, CBS DC, SBNation.com and CBS Baltimore
Jim Callis / MLB.com:
Red Sox's Swihart sits atop list, followed by Rangers' Alfaro and Cubs' Schwarber — MLBPipeline.com's 2015 Top 100 Prospects list will be unveiled on Friday, Jan. 30, on MLB.com, with the Top 50 revealed during a one-hour show on MLB Network at 9 p.m. ET. Leading up to that …
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Boston Globe
MLB.com:
White Sox invite 24 players to spring training — CHICAGO - The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on minor-league contracts with the following free agents: right-handed pitchers Jairo Asencio, Scott Carroll, Jesse Crain, Logan Kensing, Arcenio Leon, J.D. Martin and Brad Penny …
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South Side Sox
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
White Sox Sign Jesse Crain, Scott Carroll To Minor League Deals
White Sox Sign Jesse Crain, Scott Carroll To Minor League Deals
Discussion:
South Side Sox and MLB Daily Dish