Top News:
Adam Berry / MLB.com:
Third baseman was arbitration-eligible for the first time — Todd Frazier ascended to a higher level with 29 homers and 20 steals in 2014 and should sustain his top-tier numbers in Cincinnati — The Reds have avoided an arbitration hearing with third baseman Todd Frazier by agreeing to a two-year, $12 million deal.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Mark My Word
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Zach Links / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds, Todd Frazier Agree To Two-Year Deal — The Reds and Todd Frazier have avoided arbitration with a two-year, $12MM deal, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Frazier will receive $4.5MM in 2015 and $7.5MM in 2016, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon tweets. Frazier is a client of CAA Sports.
Discussion:
Sporting News Feed RSS, Red Reporter and HardballTalk
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Reds Sign Burke Badenhop, Designate Ismael Guillon
Discussion:
Full Count, HardballTalk, Red Reporter and MLB Daily Dish
Chris Cotillo / SBNation.com:
Padres, James Shields agree to 4-year deal, according to source — Shields joins a revamped Padres' team that has been very active this winter. — The Padres have agreed to sign free agent right-hander James Shields to a four-year contract that includes a club option for a fifth season, according to major-league sources.
RELATED:
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Terms of offer unknown; club expects to hear back from free-agent hurler by Monday — Corey Brock joins MLB Tonight to discuss the Padres' interest in James Shields, their bullpen entering 2015 and more — SAN DIEGO — Now the waiting game begins for the Padres, who figure to know by Monday …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
GM says Marlins may also add bullpen help prior to Spring Training — Marlins general manager Dan Jennings looks at the potential of the team's rotation for 2015, including when Jose Fernandez could return — MIAMI — Dan Haren is ready to be part of the Marlins' rotation and ace Jose Fernandez …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and CBSSports.com
Timothy Burke / Deadspin:
Dolan: “Start Rooting For The Nets Because The Knicks Don't Want You” — New York Knicks and Cablevision CEO James Dolan lashed out at a lifelong fan over email, suggesting the fan was an alcoholic who should start rooting for the Nets “because the Knicks don't want you.”
Discussion:
Business Insider, ProBasketballTalk, Bleacher Report, Sporting News Feed RSS and ESPN
Nick CafardoGLOBE / BostonGlobe.com:
Yankees GM Brian Cashman believes in his team — The Yankees and Alex Rodriguez, the gifts that keep on giving — at least for sports journalists. — Picture that tent at George Steinbrenner Field in spring training. Rodriguez reading his mea culpa with a thousand cameras clicking.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, CBSSports.com and HardballTalk
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Welcome back! Matt Harvey's spring arrival this week spurs Mets' optimism — They know how important Harvey could be to this year's team, a club that is already dreaming big after six consecutive losing seasons. — PORT ST. LUCIE — Pre-spring training preparation for some Mets …
Discussion:
New York Post, ESPN and Amazin' Avenue
Jane Lee / MLB.com:
A's pointing to June returns for Parker, Griffin — Athletics broadcaster Vince Cotroneo talks about Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin and how a few new arms may round out the club's rotation — OAKLAND — The A's pitching depth undoubtedly figures to be one of their biggest strengths this season.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Jane Lee / MLB.com:
Doolittle making progress with shoulder rehab — Sean Doolittle assumed the closer's role last May, recording 22 saves in 26 tries, and should remain the 9th-inning option in Oakland in '15 — OAKLAND — Rehabbing A's closer Sean Doolittle is encouraged by his progress from a left shoulder injury …
Discussion:
Oakland Athletics and MLB Trade Rumors
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays manager Kevin Cash plans more stable lineup — A lot of what the Rays do under new manager Kevin Cash will be similar to how they operated under Joe Maddon, such as getting statistical input from the front office and making extensive use of defensive shifts.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Trade Rumors
Matt Yallof / MLB.com:
Dodgers at forefront of trend, acquiring Rollins, Kendrick — Jimmy Rollins is introduced as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers — If my uniform doesn't get dirty, I haven't done anything in the baseball game. — In his 25-year Hall of Fame career, Henderson got plenty filthy …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Vince Lara-Cinisomo / Baseball America:
All-Star Game To Be Awarded By Bid, Manfred Says — New MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he intends to award the All-Star Game with a bidding process, rather than alternating leagues as has been the practice generally every season since the game was put in place in 1933.
RELATED:
Jayson Stark / MLB:
MLB to use bidding to determine ASG host
Discussion:
Camden Chat, Let's Go Tribe, Sporting News Feed RSS, HardballTalk, Bleed Cubbie Blue and baseballmusings.com
