Ballbug: Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks passes away at the age of 83 (MLB.com)

Ernie Banks, legendary ‘Mr. Cub,’ dead at 83

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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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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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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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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?

Discussion: Metsblog

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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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.

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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

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 …

Discussion: South Side Sox

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