Top News:
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Broxton projected to close, but front office also seeking other veteran relievers — 9/4/14: Making his Brewers debut, Jonathan Broxton gets Xavier Scruggs to go down swinging — MILWAUKEE — After the Brewers finalized a one-year pact with free-agent reliever Neal Cotts on Friday …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Bullpen Notes: Cotts, Mujica, Brewers, Papelbon, K-Rod — Recent Brewers signee Neal Cotts tells Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that he came close to hanging up his spikes before the Rangers offered him a deal for the 2013 season. After two fairly productive seasons in Texas …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and JSOnline
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
First baseman optimistic club can exceed expectations in 2015 — Freddie Freeman discusses the changes to the Braves' roster in the offseason and looking forward to playing in 2015 — ATLANTA — Given the close bond that Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Baseball America and HardballTalk
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Third-base coach played for skipper in Minors, was on Gonzalez's Marlins staff
Third-base coach played for skipper in Minors, was on Gonzalez's Marlins staff
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
COLORADO ROCKIES / MLB — The Denver Post — Atlanta Braves pitcher David Hale works in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sept. 25 in Atlanta. Hale went 4-5 with a 3.30 ERA last season with the Braves. (John Bazemore, The Associated Press)
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rockies Acquire David Hale, Gus Schlosser From Braves
Rockies Acquire David Hale, Gus Schlosser From Braves
Discussion:
Purple Row, MLB Daily Dish and Talking Chop
Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
U.S. Treasury letter should clear way for signing with MLB club — Richard Justice talks with MLB Tonight about the possibility that Cuban slugger Yoan Moncada could be cleared to communicate with MLB clubs — David Hastings, the agent for Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Over the Monster
Brad Johnson / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rays Sign Ronald Belisario To Minor League Deal — The Rays have signed free agent reliever Ronald Belisario to a minor league deal, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). Belisario was recently tied to the Blue Jays, although their reported deal fell through yesterday.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and ANDREWSTOETEN.com
Jim Duquette / MLB.com:
5 most improved teams this winter — MLB.com's Jim Duquette looks at some of the most improved teams heading into Spring Training for the 2015 season — James Shields is the only big-name free agent still out there, and even he is probably not enough to turn the tide of an entire offseason.
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times and MLB Trade Rumors
Matt Eddy / Baseball America:
Minor League Transactions: Jan. 23-29 — The White Sox sign an infamous player from out of the past, while the Yankees try their luck with a reclamation project in the vein of Bartolo Colon or Freddy Garcia. — Official minor league transactions, conveyed to Baseball America by Major League Baseball, for the period Jan. 23-29.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Trade Rumors
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Mets' Triple-A pitching coach happy to bounce back after open-heart surgery last spring — Mets Triple-A pitching coach Frank Viola discusses Noah Syndergaard's potential for 2015 and other strong pitching in the Mets' farm system — NEW YORK — It was a Saturday morning last spring …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Slugging third baseman joined by Alfaro, Mazara, Thompson and Gonzalez — 2015 MLB.com Top Prospects: Joey Gallo has hit 40 or more home runs in each of his first two full professional seasons — ARLINGTON — Led by power-hitting third baseman Joey Gallo, the Rangers have five players listed …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Teddy Cahill / MLB.com:
Buxton looking to defend No. 1 slot with 2015 rankings set to be unveiled
Buxton looking to defend No. 1 slot with 2015 rankings set to be unveiled
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Pirates Prospects
Brian Costello / New York Post:
Eric Decker selling free agent Demaryius Thomas on Jets — Eric Decker is trying to reunite with Demaryius Thomas on the Jets. — PHOENIX — Jets wide receiver Eric Decker did some recruiting this week. — Decker spent a few days in Arizona with Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, his former teammate and close friend.
Discussion:
First-and-Orange
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