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Fred Mitchell / Chicago Tribune:
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MLB.com, SI.com, baseballmusings.com, 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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Let's Go Tribe, Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Trade Rumors, Gaslamp Ball and Beyond the Box Score
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 …
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Dodger Insider and MLB.com Blogs Central
MLB.com:
Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks passes away at the age of 83 — CHICAGO - The Chicago Cubs tonight are saddened to announce that Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, the greatest Cub in franchise history, has passed away at the age of 83. — “Words cannot express how important Ernie Banks will always …
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ESPN, ESPN and HardballTalk
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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New Jersey Online and 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
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
JAMES SHIELDS TO THE MARLINS: STILL HIGHLY UNLIKELY — In writing about the James Shields market on Thursday, I said that the Marlins' front office was trying to persuade owner Jeffrey Loria to sign the free-agent right-hander, according to major-league sources. — Well, Shields to the Marlins is still highly unlikely.
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MLB Trade Rumors and HardballTalk
Matt Eddy / Baseball America:
Minor League Transactions: Jan. 16-22 — The Diamondbacks sign another talented Cuban import, while the Giants, Nationals and White Sox bring back John Bowker, Kila Ka'aihue and Jairo Asencio from the Far East. — Official minor league transactions, conveyed to Baseball America by Major League Baseball, for the period Jan. 16-22.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and McCovey Chronicles
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
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
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
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MLB Daily Dish and Metsblog
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
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
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South Side Sox and MLB Daily Dish