Top News:
ESPN:
2016 ranking of all 30 farm systems — To kick off my look this week at the best prospects in the minor leagues, I've ranked all 30 MLB farm systems from top to bottom, considering only the players who are currently in the systems and have not yet exhausted their rookie year of eligibility.
Discussion:
Orange County Register, Pirates Breakdown, Bleacher Nation, Federal Baseball, Pinstripe Alley, Talking Chop and DRaysBay
Elyssa Cherney / Orlando Sentinel:
13-year-old Ocoee boy dies after accidental shooting linked to hoverboard — Lavardo Fisher was playing video games when he was accidentally shot by his cousin. The 18-year-old shooter was on a hoverboard and lost his balance, causing the gun to fire. (Video by FOX35) … Privacy Policy
Discussion:
WESH-TV, WDTN-TV, FOX6Now.com, WQAD-TV and CBS Chicago
Evan Drellich / Houston Chronicle:
Recent hernia surgery to limit Astros' Evan Gattis this spring — One of the Astros' big bats won't be taking hacks when the Astros hold their first full workout on Feb. 23. — Astros designated hitter Evan Gattis recently underwent surgery to repair a hernia, the Chronicle has learned …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, The Crawfish Boxes, Yahoo Sports, NBCSports.com and MLB Trade Rumors
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Giants Avoid Arbitration With Brandon Belt — The Giants have avoided arbitration with first baseman Brandon Belt by agreeing to a one-year deal, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets. He'll receive $6.2MM, Jon Heyman tweets. — The sides had seemed headed for a hearing.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, True Blue LA and Yahoo Sports
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves To Sign Carlos Torres — 6:52pm: Torres has agreed to a deal with the Braves, reports Jim Seimas of the Santa Cruz Sentinel, who adds that he chose Atlanta over the Yankees and Dodgers (Twitter link). Bill Shanks of FOX Sports Radio and the Macon Telegram tweets that it's …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Talking Chop and It's About The Money
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Acquire Taylor Featherston — The Phillies have acquired infielder Taylor Featherston from the Angels in exchange for cash or a player to be named later, Philadelphia has announced. He was recently designated for assignment by Los Angeles to clear roster space for the claim of lefty Christian Friedrich.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, The Good Phight and Crashburn Alley
Matt Adams / Fox 59:
Why so serious? Eli Manning explains his ‘Super Bowl face’ — (Feb. 9, 2016) - While everyone else celebrated around him, Eli Manning stood stone-faced as big brother Peyton and the Denver Broncos scored a late touchdown in Super Bowl 50. — So why didn't Eli give high fives and cheer like most of the people around him?
Discussion:
NESN.com, NOLA River, USA Today, KLFY-TV and KRON4.com
Associated Press:
Ozzie Guillen to manage in Venezuela next winter — CARACAS, Venezuela — Ozzie Guillen, who led the White Sox to the 2005 World Series title, was hired Wednesday to manage the La Guaira Sharks of the Venezuelan Winter League next offseason. — The 52-year-old, who was born in Ocumare del Tuy …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports
Patrick M. O'Connell / Chicago Tribune:
In Derrick Rose assault case, accuser's ex-roommate calls abuse claims a ‘sham’ — Derrick Rose. — The civil lawsuit against Bulls guard Derrick Rose continues to wind its way through federal court in Los Angeles, with lawyers arguing about the cooperation of the accuser and a series …
Discussion:
CBS Chicago and Chicago
Associated Press:
Ex-MLB commissioner Bud Selig to teach at Arizona State's law school — TEMPE, Ariz. — Former baseball commissioner Bud Selig will teach sports law and business at Arizona State's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. — The university said Tuesday that Selig, 81, had been appointed …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Orioles Nearing Three-Year Deal With Yovani Gallardo — 5:07pm: ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that “if and when” the deal between the Orioles and Gallardo is finalized, he'll be guaranteed $40-45MM over three years. — 10:40am: There's momentum toward a deal, but some “tweaks” …
Discussion:
School of Roch, Camden Chat, FanGraphs Baseball, Lone Star Ball, Bleacher Nation and MLB Daily Dish
Mike Axisa / River Avenue Blues:
The Bryce Harper Endgame — As you know, the Yankees are the only team in baseball that has not yet signed a Major League free agent this offseason. They have taken on some money in the Starlin Castro and Aroldis Chapman trades — about $23.5M for luxury tax purposes in 2016 — but otherwise they've limited their spending.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, IT IS HIGH! IT IS FAR!, Beyond the Box Score and The Wayniac Nation