On this date in 2006, the Cubs and Mark Prior avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $3.65MM. Prior invoked a clause in the original contract he signed out of the draft that allowed him to void his $2.5MM salary for 2006 and file for arbitration, if eligible. Both David Price and Rick Porcello took advantage of similar clauses this offseason. Here's the latest from around the baseball blogosphere, starting with a heavy dose of reactions to the Prince Fielder signing…
All Things Fielder
- Disciples of Uecker said goodbye to Fielder.
- Meanwhile, Lookout Landing said goodbye to the Fielder saga.
- Bless You Boys provided a timeline for the Prince signing.
- Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness says the Fielder deal makes Matt Kemp's contract look even better.
- Motor City Bengals wrote about Detroit's new infield defense.
- Earning My Stripes wonders what the message is behind the Fielder signing.
- The Nats Blog wonders what the Nationals will do after missing out on Prince.
- More Mariners is happy the Mariners didn't sign Fielder.
- The Hottest Stove doesn't think the Fielder signing makes sense for anyone.
- I-70 Baseball wrote about Prince's impact on the rest of the AL Central.
- Wahoo's On First thinks Fielder's contract will help the Indians down the road.
- BoSox Injection says the Tigers helped the Red Sox by signing Fielder.
- The Platoon Advantage looked at the DH logjam in Detroit.
- Baseball Time In Arlington discussed a Josh Hamilton extension after Fielder signed.
- Crashburn Alley wrote about first basemen and outrageous contracts.
Everything Else
- Phoul Ballz interviewed Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr.
- Rum Bunter interviewed Pirates manager Clint Hurdle.
- Padres Prospects interviewed Cory Spangenberg, the 9th overall pick in the '11 draft.
- Through The Fence Baseball interviewed Ryan Bick, vice president of Pro Star Management.
- Rising Apple spoke to Mets prospect Greg Peavey.
- Chad Moriyama provided a rundown of the Dodgers ownership bidding war.
- Brotherly Glove presents three scenarios for the Phillies and Cole Hamels.
- District On Deck mused about a potential Ryan Zimmerman extension.
- Rox Pile says the Marco Scutaro trade makes perfect sense for the Rockies.
- Red Sox Beacon tried to explain Boston's rationale for the Scutaro trade.
- Sports of Boston compared the Red Sox's low cost starters to the Yankees'.
- Talkin' Sox With Dan looked at the state of the Sox following the Cody Ross deal.
- Yankees Fans Unite lists seven hitters the Yankees should inquire about.
- Yanks Go Yard says the Yankees need a DH who can hit righties.
- Camden Crazies isn't sure why the Orioles gave Wilson Betemit two years.
- Warehouse Worthy looked back at the Jerry Hairston Jr.–Brian Roberts debate.
- DRays Bay looked at why the Rays signed Jeff Keppinger.
- MLB Reports explains why Jesus Montero will save the Mariners.
- Lasorda's Lair wonders how much Clayton Kershaw should make in 2012.
- Bleacher Nation analyzed Matt Garza's arbitration case.
- Call to the Pen says the Tim Lincecum contract is smart for the Giants.
- Giants Nirvana has some final thoughts on the Giants offseason.
- Bay City Ball examined the Giants' pitching depth.
- Righteous Shift wrote about Fausto Carmona/Roberto Hernandez Heredia.
- Cleveland Indians Perspective reviewed the Indians' offseason.
- More Hardball asked which minor league signing was the best.
- And finally, although we bring you the latest rumors here at MLBTR, accuracy is more important than speed. We only pass along legitimate rumors, but some other outlets aren't as vigilant with their reporting. This must read Kings of Kauffman post exposes the shady side of rumormongering, so please check it out. Then come back to MLBTR to for best baseball rumor coverage.
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