Top News:
Mike Ozanian / Forbes:
Miami Marlins Claim To Have $1.6 Billion Handshake Agreement For Team — Two sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that Miami Marlins president David Samson has said that there is a $1.6 billion “handshake agreement” for the MLB team. Jeffrey Loria paid $158 million for the baseball team in 2002.
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ESPN:
Source: Real estate mogul Charles Kushner interested in purchasing Marlins — The potential sale of the Miami Marlins has a long way to go, but the name of at least one person who has been in negotiations to buy the team is sure to cause a stir. — Multiple sources with knowledge …
Discussion:
miamiherald and Fish Stripes
Jeff Passan / Yahoo Sports:
MLB plans to test new extra-innings rules in rookie ball, with Joe Torre's approval — Major League Baseball plans on testing a rule change in the lowest levels of the minor leagues this season that automatically would place a runner on second base at the start of extra innings …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing, FanRag Sports, Bleed Cubbie Blue, The Big Lead, Royals Review, Over the Monster, CBS DC, South Side Sox, Minor League Ball, Brew Crew Ball, Bleacher Nation, Fox Sports, Amazin' Avenue, SI.com, CBS Chicago, Baseball Prospectus, Camden Chat, baseballmusings.com, Cubs Insider, Bless You Boys, CBSSports.com, Ballpark Digest, redsminorleagues.com, Halos Heaven and NESN.com
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Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Expect Pete Rose to be voted onto Phillies Wall of Fame — Pete Rose could soon be coming to a wall near you. At the very least, baseball's all-time leader in hits and the steam behind the first World Series title in Phillies history will be on a ballot for fans to vote upon in the very near future.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Tommy Tran / abc30.com:
Former major leaguer CJ Wilson finding a new home in Fresno with new car dealerships … <iframe width="476" height="267" src="http://abc30.com/video/embed/ ?pid=1745244" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> — Veteran MLB Pitcher and Race Car team owner CJ Wilson will have to change his area code to 559.
Discussion:
USA Today, NESN.com, NBCSports.com, Halos Heaven, MLB Daily Dish, Lone Star Ball and FanRag Sports
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Pirates Acquire Pat Light, Designate Lisalverto Bonilla For Assignment — The Pirates announced that they've acquired hard-throwing right-hander Pat Light from the Twins in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Pirates designated fellow right-hander Lisalverto Bonilla for assignment.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Why is veteran catcher Matt Wieters still on the free-agent market? — Every time I quote Scott Boras at length in a story about an unsigned Scott Boras client, I hear it from club officials, fans, even reporters. — So, here we are with catcher Matt Wieters, who is by far the best remaining player …
Discussion:
Buster Olney, FanGraphs Baseball, Orange County Register and MLB Trade Rumors
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Addison Russell's name came from Bruce Willis' character on ‘Moonlighting’ — PENSACOLA, Fla. — Milany Ocampo-Russell, the mother of Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, is ready to 'fess up about her son's namesake. — “I always thought I'd marry Bruce Willis,” she told USA TODAY Sports of the movie star.
Discussion:
CBS Chicago
Mike Jones / Washington Post:
The Redskins' offseason better improve, or everything could unravel next year — The Redskins just came off of back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in 20 years, right? So, what is that smell? — The expected, refreshing, raise-your-hands-if-you're-sure aroma of optimism is missing.
Discussion:
Pro Football Rumors and ProFootballTalk
Rich CiminiESPN / ESPN:
Jets' newly hired QB coach has ties to Jay Cutler, but ... New York Jets coach Todd Bowles filled the final opening on his staff, hiring Jeremy Bates to coach the quarterbacks, the team announced Wednesday. — Bates is an important addition because he will preside over the development of Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty.
Discussion:
The Big Lead, ProFootballTalk, FanRag Sports and NESN.com
La Velle E. Neal III / Star Tribune:
Park clears waivers and will remain with the Twins — Designated hitter Byung Ho Park has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Class AAA Rochester. — Park was designated for assignment last week as the Twins made room to add free agent righthander Matt Belisle.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Mets and Yankees shortstops Asdrubal Cabrera, Didi Gregorius seem very good to naked eye — but these metrics say otherwise — To the naked eye 2016 seemed to be a very good year for shortstops in New York, with the glove as well as the bat. — Asdrubal Cabrera was a sure-handed revelation for the Mets …