Top News:
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
Keith Law / ESPN:
Top 100 prospects of 2015 — A slugging third baseman and a five-tool outfielder come out on top — Welcome to ESPN Insider's 2015 ranking of the top 100 prospects in baseball. — This is my eighth such ranking for Insider, with a lot of the same names near the top of last year's list …
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.
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Teddy Cahill / MLB.com:
Twins' Buxton leads list again, followed by Pederson (Dodgers), Soler (Cubs), Winker (Reds)
Twins' Buxton leads list again, followed by Pederson (Dodgers), Soler (Cubs), Winker (Reds)
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees To Sign Scott Baker To Minor League Deal — 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). — Baker was a mainstay in the Twins' rotation during their run at the top of the division …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Pinstripe Alley
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Ex-Steeler Blount completes community service; drug charge withdrawn — Prosecutors have dropped a marijuana possession charge against New England Patriots running back and former Steeler LeGarrette Blount, his attorney said.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 and Bleacher Report
Bob Raissman / NY Daily News:
Bobby Ojeda splits with SNY as sides fail to agree on new contract — The sticking point, as it usually is, was money. The two sides remained far apart on the financial terms of a new package for Ojeda. — Bobby Ojeda will not return to SportsNet New York's Mets pre and postgame studio.
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online, New Jersey Online and Metsblog
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
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:
HardballTalk and Bless You Boys
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
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays have private workout for Cuban prospect Moncada — The Rays most likely can't afford to sign Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada, but they took at him Wednesday during a private workout at the Trop anyway. — Moncada showed impressive power in front of a group of team officials, inlcluding baseball operations president Matt Silverman.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Trade Rumors
Chris Strauss / USA Today:
Devon Still and his daughter Leah wrote a book for kids fighting cancer — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Four-year-old Leah Still has been an inspiration to millions since she was diagnosed with a Stage 4 pediatric cancer called neuroblastoma in June. Next month, the daughter of Cincinnati Bengals …
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, Bleacher Report and SBNation.com
Justin Jouvenal / Washington Post:
Nationals' Jayson Werth pleads guilty to reckless driving, gets 5 days in jail — Washington Nationals' outfielder Jayson Werth will serve five days in jail after pleading guilty Thursday to a reckless driving charge in Fairfax County. — Under the terms of an agreement reached with prosecutors …
Discussion:
SI.com, MLB.com, Phillies Nation, Nats Insider, Federal Baseball, Sportsnet.ca and Bleacher Report
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers To Sign Neal Cotts — 6:53pm: Cotts' one-year deal is worth $3MM, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports. — 6:29pm: The Brewers have reached an agreement with left-hander Neal Cotts on a one-year contract, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports (Twitter links).
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish, Brew Crew Ball and The Brewer Nation