Top News:
Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
Cuban infielder, 19, was unblocked Tuesday by United States government — Matt Yallof, Ron Darling and Tom Verducci discuss the potential of Yoan Moncada and what impact he could have on an MLB team — Top Cuban infield prospect Yoan Moncada is eager to begin his professional baseball career …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, It's About The Money and Hot Stove
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Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Two Cubans playing in Caribbean Series defect — SAN JUAN, P.R. - Two players from the Cuban team competing in the Caribbean Series have defected, according to a tournament official. — The official, who spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the Cuban federation …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and baseballmusings.com
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Vladimir Gutierrez, Top Cuban Pitching Prospect, Leaves Team At Caribbean Series — Righthander Vladimir Gutierrez, one of the top young pitching prospects in Cuba, has left the Cuban team at the Caribbean Series in Puerto Rico, along with shortstop Dainer Moreira, Baseball America has learned.
Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
Cuba's Moncada cleared to sign with any MLB club — MLB.com national reporter Jesse Sanchez talks to MLB Tonight about Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada being cleared to sign with MLB teams — The path was cleared Tuesday for top Cuban prospect Yoan Moncada to negotiate and sign with the Major League club of his choice.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Over the Monster, Bleacher Report and Inside the Dodgers
Jorge L. Ortiz / Associated Press:
Well-reinforced Cuban team loses Caribbean Series opener — SAN JUAN, P.R. - The prestige of Cuban baseball, earned through decades of dominating international amateur tournaments, has received a boost from the stellar major league performances of defectors such as Jose Abreu, Aroldis Chapman, Yasiel Puig and Yoenis Cespedes.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
ESPN:
MLB nixes Cuban requirement — NEW YORK — Major League Baseball has eliminated its requirement that Cuban players obtain a license from the U.S. government before they are eligible to sign with big league teams. — The decision could speed the negotiating process for Yoan Moncada …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB and Associated Press
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
MB Changes Cuban Policy, Yoan Moncada Free To Sign — Major League Baseball has changed course and is now allowing teams to sign Cuban players under the “general license” from the Office of Foreign Assets Control, paving the way for Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada and others to be able to sign.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, SBNation.com, South Side Sox, Viva El Birdos, Bleed Cubbie Blue, River Avenue Blues and Athletics Nation
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
With MLB Rule Change, Yoan Moncada Cleared To Sign
Discussion:
MLive.com, MLB Daily Dish, SBNation.com, Bucs Dugout and DRaysBay
Patrick Temple-West / Politico:
Obama throws curveball at team owners — President Barack Obama is using his budget to take on some of the most loathed people in sports — team owners threatening to bolt town if taxpayers don't help build a new stadium — and it could put Republicans in a tough spot.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Meet the Matz! Mets left-handed pitching prospect Steven Matz could be next in line — Finally pain-free, Matz has been making up for lost time in rather spectacular fashion the last two years, moving up the organizational ladder quickly and becoming the Mets' most talked-about pitching prospect.
Discussion:
Metsblog and HardballTalk
NY Daily News:
EXCLUSIVE: In first interview since SNY exit, Bobby Ojeda takes jab at Mets GM Sandy Alderson — ‘Last I checked, Fred is not the general manager,’ Ojeda said while defending ownership. ‘Last I checked, Jeff is not the general manager. Last I checked, Saul is not the general manager.’
Discussion:
Metsblog
Tim Graham / BN Blitz:
Derek Jeter reached on-deck circle while examining Bills purchase, sources say — You almost can hear late Yankee Stadium public-address announcer Bob Sheppard proclaiming the man's arrival every Sunday in Orchard Park. — Now owning the Buffalo Bills ... the former shortstop ... No. 2 ... Derek Jeter.
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk and Pro Football Rumors
Stan Hochman / Philly.com:
Bunning's not-so-perfect day — JIM BUNNING spent the first weekend in December in San Diego, a member of a 16-man committee voting on Golden Era players to be inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame. Dick Allen needed 12 votes. He got 11. — “I felt useless,” Bunning seethed the other day, his voice crackling with anger.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia:
Phillies have begun looking at Cody Asche in the outfield — Phillies position players aren't required to report to spring training for three more weeks, but Cody Asche is already working out in Clearwater. — And he's getting some reps and instruction in left field.
Discussion:
The Good Phight, MLB.com, Baseball Prospectus and HardballTalk
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