This is the December 11, 2012 news archive. View today's MLB news and rumors.

Major League Baseball News and Rumors

Three-team trade sends Shin-Soo Choo to Cincinnati, prospect Trevor Bauer to Cleveland Mark Townsend, yahoo.com It's going some time to sort through this one, but here are the particulars of the big three-team, nine-player deal that was just finalized on Tuesday evening. According to Yahoo! Sports' own Jeff Passan, the Cleveland Indians are set to receive right-h… Related: ESPN.com
	Deal gives Towers, D-backs chance to compete Dec 11, 2012 Tracy Ringolsby, MLB.com With respect possible for what the Giants have done and what the Dodgers are capable of doing, D-backs general manager Kevin Towers has his sights on another trip to October in 2013.
	Dodgers linked to trade for Cards' Schumaker Dec 11, 2012 Cash Kruth, MLB.com The Dodgers have acquired utility man Skip Schumaker from the Cardinals, according to the Los Angeles Times.
	With Kevin Youkilis agreeing to join Yankees and Ichiro Suzuki expected to follow suit, the Bombers get older but maybe not bett Dec 11, 2012 nydailynews.com Little by little, the Yankees’ old-age home is filling to capacity, so much so that the word now is they are already in the process of filling the clubhouse with rocking chairs.
	With Kevin Youkilis agreeing to join Yankees and Ichiro Suzuki expected to follow suit, the Bombers get older but maybe not bett Dec 11, 2012 nydailynews.com Little by little, the Yankees’ old-age home is filling to capacity, so much so that the word now is they are already in the process of filling the clubhouse with rocking chairs.
	NY Mets make a mess of R.A. Dickey situation by stalling instead of giving pitcher a two-year, $26 million extension Dec 11, 2012 nydailynews.com If you thought the David Wright signing was some type of turning point for the Mets, from a financial, business and PR standpoint, the R.A. Dickey contract negotiation clearly suggests otherwise.
	Reds land Choo in 9-player swap Dec 11, 2012 CNNSI.com CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians have traded outfielder Shin-Soo Choo and infielder-outfielder Jason Donald to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Drew Stubbs.
	Reds get Choo, Donald in three-team trade Dec 11, 2012 Zack Meisel, MLB.com The Reds acquired Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Donald from the Indians on Tuesday for Drew Stubbs and Didi Gregorius, who was then flipped to the D-backs.
	Greinke may be Dodgers' last major expense Dec 11, 2012 Mark Saxon, ESPN.com Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti uttered the phrase the rest of baseball has been waiting all winter to hear.
	Tribe, D-backs, Reds complete nine-player deal Dec 11, 2012 Zack Meisel, MLB.com The Tribe traded Shin-Soo Choo to the Reds in a three-team, nine-player exchange that sent outfielder Drew Stubbs and pitcher Trevor Bauer to Cleveland and shortstop Didi Gregorius to Arizona.
	Kevin Youkilis signs one-year deal with Yankees Dec 11, 2012 David Brown, yahoo.com Kevin Youkilis is going to work for the enemy. A longtime fixture for the Boston Red Sox, Youkilis emerged from free agency Tuesday and agreed with the New York Yankees on a one-year, $12 million contract. By the Great Greek God of Walks' Shaved Goatee!… Related: ESPN.com
	Yanks ink Youkilis to 1-year deal Dec 11, 2012 CNNSI.com NEW YORK (AP) -- A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that free agent Kevin Youkilis and the New York Yankees have reached agreement on a one-year deal.
	Nationals' Detwiler, Stammen join USO tour Dec 11, 2012 Bill Ladson, MLB.com Nationals pitchers Ross Detwiler and Craig Stammen will join Washington Capitals forward Matt Hendricks will take part in the 2012 USO holiday tour led by the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey.
	Hurdle embraces opportunity to give back Dec 11, 2012 Jim Lachimia, MLB.com On Tuesday, as the first official stop on the Pitates' annual Winter Caravan, manager Clint Hurdle was part of a large contingent from the Pirates and Pirates Charities that presented a $200,000 check to the Children's Institute's Centers of Excellence
	Rockies ink Kensing, McClendon to Minors deals Dec 11, 2012 Thomas Harding, MLB.com The Rockies have signed former Marlins and Nationals right-hander Logan Kensing and former Brewers righty Mike McClendon to Minor League contracts with invitations to Major League Spring Training, according to information received by MLB.com.
	Nets unveil new home of Ebbets Field flagpole Dec 11, 2012 Mike Mazzeo, ESPN.com On Tuesday, the Brooklyn Nets held a ceremony to commemorate the new home of the Ebbets Field flagpole, just steps from Barclays Center.
	DiSarcina to manage Pawtucket in 2013 Dec 11, 2012 Evan Drellich, MLB.com Massachusetts native Gary DiSarcina will manage Triple-A Pawtucket in 2013.
	Van Tol's hard work pays off with manager's job Dec 11, 2012 Carrie Muskat, MLB.com The Cubs named Gary Van Tol as Class A Boise's 10th manager, and he'll be calling the shots June 14 when the Hawks' open the 2013 season.
	Rays ace honored with David Price Day in Tampa Dec 11, 2012 Adam Berry, MLB.com The first Cy Young Award in Tampa Bay Rays history was good enough to earn a key to the city of Tampa for David Price and his French bulldog, Astro.
	Yanks agree to one-year deal with Youkilis Dec 11, 2012 Cash Kruth, MLB.com Kevin Youkilis is ready to see what the other side of the historic American League East rivalry feels like, agreeing to a one-year, $12 million contract with the Yankees, pending a physical, on Tuesday.
	Price prepared to lead young Rays pitching staff Dec 11, 2012 Adam Berry, MLB.com David Price was already an ace, but after Tampa Bay dealt starters James Shields and Wade Davis to Kansas City for four prospects late Sunday night, Price will take on an entirely new role as the leader of the Rays' talented young pitching staff.
	Dickey, Mets still negotiating Dec 11, 2012 CNNSI.com NEW YORK (AP) -- R.A. Dickey and Mets general manager Sandy Alderson can agree on one thing -- they would prefer to have closure before opening day.
	Source: Red Sox among 4 interested in Swisher Dec 11, 2012 Gordon Edes, ESPN.com The Boston Red Sox are one of four teams interested in signing free agent outfielder/first baseman Nick Swisher, according to a baseball source.
	Sources: Deferred dollars were key for Wright Dec 11, 2012 Jayson Stark, ESPN.com The Mets will defer $15.5 million of the $138 million in David Wright's new eight-year extension, according to sources familiar with the details of the contract.
	Baseball signed by 1929 Yankees hits auction after being owned by a Benedictine monk Dec 11, 2012 Kevin Kaduk, yahoo.com Back in 1929, a group of New York Yankees that included Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig signed a baseball. It ended up in the possession of a Benedictine monk who placed it in his room at St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, N.J. The relic sat there un…
	Cubs, Astros set for two spring games in Houston Dec 11, 2012 Carrie Muskat, MLB.com The Astros will play their former National League Central Division rivals, the Cubs, in two spring exhibition games March 29-30 at Minute Maid Park.
	Royals and Jays make minor moves for veterans Dec 11, 2012 CNNSI.com KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Royals have signed veteran pitchers George Sherrill and Dan Wheeler and veteran outfielder Willy Taveras to minor league contracts.
	Sarah's Take: Dodgers still have work to do Dec 11, 2012 Sarah D. Morris, MLB.com With the recent spending spree, the Dodgers became the favorites to win the National League West. They still need to sort out their bullpen, their bench and the shortstop and third-base positions.
	Royals sign pitchers Sherrill, Wheeler to deals Dec 11, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com The Royals have signed veteran pitchers George Sherrill and Dan Wheeler and veteran outfielder Willy Taveras to minor league contracts.
	John Axford hangs his Robert Goulet mustache award among cherished liquor Dec 11, 2012 David Brown, yahoo.com Some professional athletes gather their trophies and stow them in their closets or basements, never to see them again until they put them up for sale in order to raise some cash. Others, like Greg Maddux for example, build a "Dig Me" room insi…
	Garza, Stewart continue recovery from injuries Dec 11, 2012 Carrie Muskat, MLB.com Cubs pitcher Matt Garza and third baseman Ian Stewart are having good offseasons so far.
	Contract Impasse Darkens Mood of Mets' Dickey Dec 11, 2012 Andrew Keh, nytimes.com At the team's holiday party, the Cy Young Award winner expressed frustration over the talks, making clear he would not negotiate during the next season.
	Rangers' Washington wants Hamilton to return Dec 11, 2012 Richard Durrett, ESPN.com Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington says he wants Josh Hamilton to re-sign with the club.
	The Royals, The Rays, And The Problem With Windows Dec 11, 2012 Ben Lindbergh, deadspin.com Originally published in Baseball Prospectus. More »
	Long Shot: Bernie Williams was a key component in the Yankee… Dec 11, 2012 CNNSI.com Bernie Williams was a key component in the Yankees' dynasty. Despite four World Series titles, his individual numbers just don't add up for Hall of Fame induction, writes Jay Jaffe.
	R.A. Dickey shows up at Mets’ holiday party, even though team wants to put coal in his stocking Dec 11, 2012 Kevin Kaduk, yahoo.com R.A. Dickey has become a favorite among baseball fans the past few years, not only because of his knuckleball-throwing talent but also because of his humble and working man's approach to all aspects of the game. But, seriously, can anyone blame the Cy Y…
	Dickey disappointed deal isn't done with Mets Dec 11, 2012 Anthony DiComo, MLB.com Frustrations are beginning to bubble over for R.A. Dickey, who expressed "disappointment" Tuesday that he and the Mets have yet to strike a contract agreement.
	Dickey likely out in '14 if Mets don't extend deal Dec 11, 2012 Adam Rubin, ESPN.com R.A. Dickey said that if the Mets don't work out an extension before the season, he'll walk as a free agent after it.
	Players who made Hall with highest vote percentage Dec 11, 2012 CNNSI.com Players who made Hall with highest vote percentage
	Top order of business: Find leadoff man Dec 11, 2012 Mark Sheldon, MLB.com Reds general manager Walt Jocketty has made no secret since his team was bounced from the National League Division Series in October that he wanted to improve the lineup at the leadoff spot.
	The Mets Are Lowballing R.A. Dickey While He Works Their Christmas Party Dec 11, 2012 Jack Dickey, deadspin.com Knuckleballing Mets right-hander R.A. Dickey won the National League Cy Young Award in 2012. One presumes you read about his triumphs in this space once or twice. More »
	Royals sign speedy outfielder Taveras Dec 11, 2012 Evan Drellich, MLB.com Out of the Majors since 2010, Willy Taveras has agreed to a Minor League deal with the Royals that includes an invite to Major League camp, the club confirmed on Tuesday.
	Green Monday sale great chance to stuff stockings Dec 11, 2012 Mark Newman, MLB.com With the Green Monday sale extended through 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday at the MLB.com Shop and a chance to buy one item and get another at 50 percent off, the MLB.com Gift Guru has some advice on how to hang those stockings with care.
	Royals' Moore says criticism of trade 'insulting' Dec 11, 2012 ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com Royals general manager Dayton Moore is going for it and he's not happy that he's taking heat after trading his top prospect to the Rays.
	Ten reasons the MLB Fan Cave is opening its doors for the World Baseball Classic Dec 11, 2012 Kevin Kaduk, yahoo.com Major League Baseball announced on Monday that it will be throwing opening the doors to its popular MLB Fan Cave for next spring's World Baseball Classic. Sixteen fans — one from each country represented in the tournament — will assemble in New York n…
	All-Star Game statues up for auction through Dec. 20 Dec 11, 2012 Mark Newman, MLB.com Rare All-Star Game statues from past Midsummer Classics are available through auction through Dec. 20, with the bidding starting at $500 on each.
	Sources: Mets resume talks with ace Dickey Dec 11, 2012 ESPN.com news services, ESPN.com The New York Mets resumed negotiations on a contract extension with R.A. Dickey on Monday, sources told ESPN.com.
	Andruw Jones set to sign with Japanese team Dec 11, 2012 Associated Press, ESPN.com The Rakuten Eagles of Japan's Pacific League say they are set to sign veteran major league outfielder Andruw Jones.
	Greinke deal affects Tigers' planning in several ways Dec 11, 2012 Jason Beck, MLB.com The Tigers had no interest in free-agent starter Zack Greinke. His new contract, on the other hand, was always a major interest for them, just as it was for Anibal Sanchez and Justin Verlander.
	Importance of impact backstops begins to catch on Dec 11, 2012 John Schlegel, MLB.com Over the years, catchers have tended to be a bit overlooked. But catchers are becoming impossible not to notice these days. A generation of young and talented receivers is putting the spotlight on those guys behind all that protective gear, stationed be…
	Rays-Royals Deal a Lesson in Team Building Dec 11, 2012 grantland.com The blockbuster trade that swapped James Shields and Wade Davis for a package of prospects headed by Wil Myers has triggered more heated reactions tha...