Top News:
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:
HardballTalk, MLB Trade Rumors and baseballmusings.com
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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:
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
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
Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
Cuba's Moncada cleared to sign with any MLB club
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Cubs Den, Over the Monster, Bleacher Report and Inside the Dodgers
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
MB Changes Cuban Policy, Yoan Moncada Free To Sign
Discussion:
SBNation.com, South Side Sox, Federal Baseball, 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 and Hit & Run
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Health issues, offseason turmoil of late '14 in rearview mirror for Cubs shortstop — 8/30/14: Starlin Castro launches a solo home run to deep left off Justin Masterson, giving the Cubs a four-run lead in the 5th inning — MESA, Ariz. — Starlin Castro is healthy.
Discussion:
Cubs 101
Ray Farmer / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Browns and GM Ray Farmer facing possible suspension, fine, loss of draft pick for ‘Textgate’ — Browns general manager Ray Farmer could possibly be suspended for the first several games of the 2015 season for improper texting during games. (Tony Dejak)
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Sporting News Feed RSS, ProFootballTalk, Pro Football Rumors and SBNation.com
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Sign Ryan Ludwick To Minor League Deal — The Rangers have agreed to sign outfielder Ryan Ludwick to a minor league deal with a spring invite, executive VP of communications John Blake announced on Twitter. Ludwick can earn $1.75MM if he makes the big league roster out of camp …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Lone Star Ball and MLB Daily Dish
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
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:
HardballTalk, ProFootballTalk, Sporting News Feed RSS and Pro Football Rumors
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:
Faith and Fear in Flushing and Metsblog
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
Danny Salazar / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Police investigating Cleveland Indians Danny Salazar on sexual assault complaint — Indians right-hander Danny Salazar is being investigated by Cleveland Police. (Tony Dejak, Associated Press) — Paul Hoynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group By Paul Hoynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group
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