Good morning!
Here are several go-to links that will make the offseason a bit more bearable:
- Ryan Braun reportedly tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug, according to an ESPN report, and faces a 50-game suspension if the finding is upheld. Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal finds a silver lining: “The news on Braun demonstrates — again — that baseball does not play favorites in its testing program.” Meanwhile, USA Today reports that the Baseball Writers Association of America said that it has no intention of nullifying the left fielder’s most valuable player award.
- Grantland’s Jonah Keri explains why the Rays’ decision to sign highly touted southpaw Matt Moore to a $14 million, five-year contract, even though the pitcher has logged only nine-plus regular season innings, may prove to be a brilliant one.
- Ken Davidoff of Newsday offers up his winners and losers from this offseason’s winter meetings. Here’s one of his winners: “David Ortiz. By accepting Boston’s arbitration offer, Big Papi either ensured a generous one-year salary for 2012 or gave himself leverage to get a multiyear deal done with the Red Sox.”
- Inside the Book’s MGL wants to make something crystal clear: Mark Buehrle is no C. J. Wilson and it’s not even close.
- In his Sunday Baseball Notes column, Nick Cafardo reports that Mariners manager Eric Wedge may move Ichiro Suzuki from the leadoff spot: “I’m going to put out the best nine in the right order, in the order that I see fit to score as many runs as we can. And if I feel like that’s him leading off, then that’s what we’re going to do.”
- SB Nation’s Jeff Sullivan offers his take on the A’s trading of highly regarded starter Trevor Cahill and reliever Craig Breslow to the Diamondbacks.
- Bill Shaikin and Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times explain how the Angels’ new television deal with Fox Sports enabled the team to sign Albert Pujols and Wilson last week.
Ian Stewart (above) and Tyler Colvin exchanged addresses. Fangraphs’ Bradley Woodrum has analysis.
That’s it, folks! Only 75 days before pitchers and catchers Molinas report.
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