NEWS
The 16 member Today’s Game Era Committee voted in John Schuerholz (16 votes) and Allen Bud Selig (15 votes) into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Lou Piniella came up 5 votes shy of the 75% needed. All the other candidates on the ballot received 5 votes or fewer, Harold Baines, Albert Belle, Will Clark, Orel Hershiser, Davey Johnson, Mark McGwire and George Steinbrenner.
The Red Sox have picked up their 2018 option on manager John Farrell’s contract.
More players that have committed to play in the WBC are: Danny Duffy (USA), Russell Martin (Canada), Buster Posey (USA), Khris Davis (Mexico), Andrew McCutchen (USA), Xander Bogaerts (Netherlands), Ian Kinsler (USA).
TRANSACTIONS
The Yankees have signed OF Matt Holliday to a 1 year/$13 million contract, pending physical.
The Phillies have signed RHP Joaquin Benoit to a 1 year/$7.5 million contract.
The Blue Jays have signed UT Steve Pearce to a 2 year/$12.5 million contract.
The Dodgers have re-signed LHP Rich Hill to a 3 year/$48 million contract.
The Giants have signed RHP Mark Melancon to a 4 year/$62 million contract with a full no trade clause plus opt out after two years.
RUMORS
Four or five teams are in on the Twins 2B Brian Dozier with the Dodgers being the most aggressive.
The Indians have shown interest in a wide range of 1B, including Mike Napoli, Mitch Moreland, Adam Lind and Chris Carter.
The Blue Jays are also it on 1B Mitch Moreland.
The Red Sox have 1B/DH Pedro Alvarez on their radar.
The Padres are aggressively shopping 3B Yangervis Solarte.
The Dodgers are shopping RHP Brandon McCarthy and LHP Scott Kazmir.
The Rangers have interest in Reds OF Billy Hamilton.
The Angels emerged as a possibility for 2B Chase Utley.
The Orioles have definite interest in OF Michael Saunders.
The Dodgers have shown recent interest in Pirates OF Andrew McCuthen.
The Royals are gauging trade interest in LHP Danny Duffy.
The Cubs are among the teams to inquire on Royals RHP Wade Davis.
Aroldis Chapman is seeking a 6 year deal.
The Royals have told teams they will listen to offers on OF Lorenzo Cain.
The Rangers have interest in OF Carlos Gomez and 1B/OF Mark Trumbo.
The Mariners are listening to offers on OF Seth Smith.
The Dodgers are now showing interest in RHP Greg Holland.
The Rays are getting a lot of calls on RHP Alex Cobb.
The Padres have shown some interest in RHP Neftali Feliz.
The Nationals have a legitimate chance of acquiring LHP Chris Sale.
The Indians are discussing a multi-year deal with 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion.