Good morning!
Here are several go-to links that will make the offseason a bit more bearable:
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The Dodgers inked Matt Kemp to an eight-year contract extension worth $160 million. Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles points out that outgoing owner Frank McCourt may be using the transaction as cover to reduce payroll while unloading the club.
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USS Mariner’s Dave Cameron fisks a piece from the Seattle Times’ Geoff Baker that had bemoaned how the Mariners had been “mediocre for so long” despite being flush with cash.
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The Common Man from the Platoon Advantage is less than thrilled with the new amateur bonus cap rules.
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Fangraphs’ Steve Slowinski analyzes how the Marlins’ new ballpark dimensions may play.
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SweetSpot’s Christina Kahrl was impressed with how Dale Sveum answered reporters’ questions at the news conference introducing him as the manager of the Cubs.
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Simon Kuper of the Financial Times interviews A’s general manager Billy Beane and author Michael Lewis about, among other things, their initial meeting following the 2001 season, Lewis’ initial reaction to watching Moneyball (“Thank God it doesn’t suck.”), and how the English cricket team’s use of statistical analysis helped defeat India in the recent Test series.
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On a related note, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal says that MLB is looking to resolve the dispute between the A’s and Giants over the former club’s longstanding effort to move from Oakland to San Jose.
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UniWatch analyzes the new uniforms for the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Mets.
Big League Stew’s ‘Duk highlights Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw’s five best starts of 2011.
That’s it, folks. Only 96 days until pitchers and catchers report!