Top News:
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Reliever seeks spot in bullpen while infielder provides utility depth — 8/20/13: Rafael Betancourt gets John Mayberry to pop up to second for the final out of the ninth, notching his 16th save of the season — DENVER — The Rockies have reached out to a couple of their former players for depth …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Ex-Steeler Blount completes community service; drug charge withdrawn — Prosecutors have dropped a marijuana possession charge against New England Patriots running back and former Steeler LeGarrette Blount, his attorney said. — Blount completed 50 hours of community service, his attorney Casey White said.
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, Bleacher Report and Sporting News Feed RSS
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Designate Elian Herrera For Assignment — The Brewers announced that they have designated infielder/outfielder Elian Herrera for assignment in order to clear space on the 40-man roster for the newly signed Neal Cotts. — The 29-year-old Herrera, claimed off waivers from the Dodgers last winter …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and Al's Ramblings
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Red Sox To Sign Alexi Ogando — 4:04pm: Ogando passed his physical, tweets Cafardo. He's likely to serve as a seventh-inning option for Boston. — 3:11pm: Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets that there are an additional $1.5MM worth of roster bonuses and performance incentives in the deal.
Discussion:
Union-News, Providence Journal, MLB Daily Dish, Over the Monster and Lone Star Ball
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rockies Acquire David Hale, Gus Schlosser From Braves — The Rockies have acquired right-handers David Hale and Gus Schlosser from the Braves in exchange for minor league catchers Jose Briceno and Chris O'Dowd, the teams announced today. — Of the players involved in this trade, Hale easily has the most big league experience.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Talking Chop, Purple Row and Mets Merized Online
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees To Sign Scott Baker To Minor League Deal — 4:15pm: Baker will earn at a $1.5MM rate if he makes the big league roster, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. — 12:15pm: The Yankees have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with longtime Twins right-hander Scott Baker, reports Matt Eddy of Baseball America (on Twitter).
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, MLB Daily Dish, River Avenue Blues, The LoHud Yankees Blog and Pinstripe Alley
Mike Vorkunov / New Jersey Online:
Where does the Mets' future lay? A look at the farm system and prospects — Last month, Baseball America released its list of the Mets' prospects. This week, ESPN released its own assessment of the best farm systems in baseball and the top 100 prospects in the sport, a list in which the Mets placed six players.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and Metsblog
Teddy Cahill / MLB.com:
Buxton looking to defend No. 1 slot with 2015 rankings set to be unveiled — MLB.com's Jim Callis previews two of the top hitters and pitchers on the list of the Top 100 Prospects for 2015 — After an offseason filled with transactions and intrigue, Spring Training is fast approaching.
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Third-base coach played for skipper in Minors, was on Gonzalez's Marlins staff — MLB.com Braves Reporter Mark Bowman discusses the Braves keeping Fredi Gonzalez as their skipper and hiring Bo Porter as a coach — ATLANTA — As Bo Porter distances himself from his days as the Astros' manager …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Greg Johns / MLB.com:
Center fielder looks to move past late-season struggles after being acquired by Seattle — 9/12/14: Austin Jackson tracks down Derek Norris' sharply-hit fly ball to deep center, reaching out to make a nice catch in the 1st — SEATTLE — Among the items not on the Mariners' shopping list …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
CHAMBERLAIN'S STATUS PERPLEXING AS SPRING TRAINING NEARS — Where have you gone, Joba Chamberlain? — On the scale of free-agent mysteries, Chamberlain's case isn't as perplexing as, say, James Shields'. Still, Chamberlain at 29 is the youngest right-handed reliever on the open market.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and HardballTalk
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Active in the Hot Stove, Miami optimistic about competing for playoff spot — Ichiro Suzuki is introduced as a member of the Marlins organization in Japan, saying he's driven by the team's incredible enthusiasm — MIAMI — Their Hot Stove season started with the record-setting signing …
Discussion:
Marlin Maniac