The biggest free agent chip has landed in the Bronx as C.C. Sabathia has agreed to a 7-year, $160 million deal, accroding to ESPN.com.

While a deal is not yet done, a source told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark there are "zero major road blocks" that would prevent the Yankees from reaching agreement with Sabathia. Not all terms of the deal are agreed to yet, the source indicated. Sabathia also would need to take a physical.

The New York Post first reported Wednesday that Sabathia, the prize of this year's free-agent class, had decided to go with the Yankees after fielding offers from a number of teams. 

Sabathia is just 28, and last year between the Indians and Brewers he went 17-10 with a 2.70 ERA. The previous season he won the AL Cy Young. Now he is the first major new piece to be put into the new Yankee Stadium.

OTHER HEADLINES:

• Nationals ready to make run at Teixeira - LA Times
• Indians close to signing Wood - MLB.com
  
• Yankees nearing deal for Lowe - SI.com
• Four teams still in mix for Furcal - FOXSports.com
• Obstacles remain for Cubs' acquiring Peavy - Chicago Sun-Times

MLB hot stove league, winter meetings, yankees, c.c. sabathia, nationals, mark teixeira, indians, kerry wood, derek lowe, rafael furcal, cubs, jake peavy

The Cincinnati Reds' silent off-season has continued into December, but with the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas coming next week and the deadline for teams to offer arbritation expiring, the silence may about to be broken.

The team already lost left-handed setup man Jerermy Affeldt after he signed with the Giants and it looks likely that they will also not resign veteran right-hander David Weathers. The team did offer Weathers arbritation on Monday, but he will likely reject by his December 7th deadline as he's seeking a multi-year deal. By offering him arbritation though the Reds would receive a draft pick should another team sign him. They already got compensated one pick with Affeldt leaving.

Fransisco Cordero, who signed a 4-year, $48 million contract last off-season with the team, will remain the closer and Jared Burton and Bill Bray offer some great options as middle relief pitchers. Still, the team would like to add some veteran arms to the mix.

The agent representing the free agent left-hander Arthur Rhodes, Dan Horwits, confirmed to MLB.com on Monday that Cincinnati has recently made an offer.

"We've been talking," Horwits said. "It's starting to get serious. There have been offers, though, from multiple teams for Arthur." 

Rhodes is 39 years old, but has been effective. He was 4-1 with a 2.04 ERA in 61 games last season and was really impressive following a trade  July 31  to Florida where he posted a 0.68 ERA in 25 games.  Overall, lefties batted .157 against him. Adding him would easily make up for the loss of Affeldt.

In addition, the Reds may take a look at Kerry Wood.  The Cubs have decided that they are moving and are not going to make a multi-year offer to the right hander. Reds' manager Dusty Baker, who still has an affinity for his former player, would like to see if Wood would be interested in coming to the Queen City.

"We have a closer already in [Francisco] Cordero, who we have under contract for a few more years," Baker told the Chicago Sun-Tribune. "But somebody can use Kerry Wood. I am going to call him. I like Kerry Wood as a person, not just as a ballplayer, but as a person. I will give him a call and see what's up." 

Wood was solid last season saving 34 games for the Cubs while posting a 3.26 ERA and striking out 84 batters in 66 1/3 innings.

MLB reds, reds bullpen, jeremy affeldt, dave weathers, francisco cordero, arthur rhodes, kerry wood, dusty baker, hot stove

The rookies of the year were announced today in both leagues and neither comes as a shock. The winner in the American League is Tampa Bay Rays third baseman, Evan Longoria. In the National League the award goes to catcher for the Chicago Cubs, Geovany Soto.

Longoria was called up by the Rays in April and led all AL rookies with a .272 batting average, 27 HRs and 85 RBIs. Those are even more impressive numbers when you remember that he missed five weeks after breaking his wrist in early August. Longoria is the first member for the Rays to win the ROY award. He joins Carlos Pena, who received a Gold Glove last week for his play at first base, as the first two players to win awards for the World Series runner-ups. Longoria won the AL ROY unanimously. He's the first to do so since Nomar Garciaparra won the award back in 1997 with the Boston Red Sox.

Soto becomes the first catcher to win this award in either league since Mike Piazza won it with the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 1993. The last Cub to win the ROY was Kerry Wood in 1998. Soto had a great season for a player at any position finishing the season batting .285 with 23 HRs, 35 doubles and 86 RBIs. The only NL rookie to hit more homers this year was the Cincinnati Reds, Joey Votto. He kept Soto from winning the ROY award unanimously as one of the possible votes went Votto's way.

Here's the schedule for the rest of the awards to come in MLB:

NL Cy Young - Tuesday, November 11th
NL/AL Managers of the Year - Wednesday, November 12th
AL Cy Young - Thursday, November 13th
NL Most Valuable Player - Monday, November 17th
AL Most Valuable Player - Tuesday, November 18th

MLB rookie of the year, evan longoria, geovany soto, nomar garciaparra, mike piazza, kerry wood, joey votto

STUDS OF THE WEEK
At least Carlos Lee's owners were treated to an amazing week before possibly losing their star slugger for the season to a broken pinkie. He mustered 12 hits in his 23 at bats leading up to the injury on Saturday, including 3 HRs and 11 RBIs. Daisuke Matsuzaka threw his longest outing of the season on Saturday night to beat the White Sox. Over his past two starts he is 2-0 with 14 IP, 1.93 ERA, and 0.93 WHIP. Add to that 15 K's and Dice-K made his owners very happy!

DUDS OF THE WEEK
The All-Star game seems much longer than a month ago, at least for Aaron Cook. The Rockies' starter got shelled again on Saturday night, allowing allowed six runs on 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings. Cook has a 7.36 ERA in his last three starts and looks like himself again. So much for Adam Dunn stepping up with Griffey out. In his first full week of playing without Junior in his career, Dunn batted .154 and struck out 9 times in 28 plate appearences while failing to drive in a single run.

KEY INJURIES
Carlos Lee (finger) - might be out for the season
Ryan Braun (back) - day-to-day; did not play again on SUN
Orlando Hudson (wrist) - had season-ending surgery
Joba Chamberlain (shoulder) - best case is a late-August return
Carl Crawford (hand) - placed on 15-day DL on Sunday
Tim Wakefield (shoulder) - expected to be headed to DL
Billy Wagner (forearm) - eligbible to return on 8/18
Brad Lidge (shoulder) - risky play for Fantasy Week 20
Rick Ankiel (abdominal) - has been unable to play field
Evan Longoria (wrist) - didn't see action on Sunday and a bit of a risk

TWICE AS NICE
Here are some two-start pitchers to consider this week:

AL
Must-starts:
Josh Beckett - @CHW (John Danks), TOR (Shaun Marcum)
Scott Kazmir - @OAK (Gio Gonzalez), @TEX (Tommy Hunter)
Justin Verlander – TOR (Shaun Marcum), BAL (Dennis Sarfate)

Sleeper Picks:
Javier Vazquez – KC (Brian Bannister), @OAK (Gio Gonzalez)
Glen Perkins – NYY (Sidney Ponson), SEA (R.A. Dickey)

NL
Must-Starts:
Johan Santana – @WAS (Odalis Perez), @PIT (Jeff Karstens)
Tim Lincecum - @HOU (Roy Oswalt), @ATL (Chuck James)
Cole Hamels - @LAD (Clayton Kershaw), @SD (Cha Baek)

Sleeper Picks:
Chris Volstad – STL (Kyle Lohse), CHC (Rich Harden)
Anibal Sanchez – STL (Joel Pineiro), CHC (Ryan Dempster)

WAIVER WATCH (from leagues played at CBSSports.com)
Five most added:
SP Jeff Karstens (+43% roster change)
SP Eddie Guardado (+40%)
OF Denard Span (+21%)
SP Kerry Wood (+21%)
SP Clayton Kershaw (+21%)

Five most dropped (non-injured):
SP Dana Eveland (-19%)
RP Brandon Morrow (-12%)
1B Jeff Baker (-12%)
RP Huston Street (-8%)
SP Clay Buchholz(-8%)

GAMES PLAYED
Let's take a look at how many games each team will be playing this week:

AL
7: BAL, BOS, CHW, CLE, DET, TOR
6: KC, MIN, NYY, OAK, TB, TEX
5: LAA, SEA

NL
7: FLA, HOU, LAD, MIL, NYM, PHI, PIT, SF, STL, WAS
6: ARI, ATL, CHC, CIN, COL, SD

Fantasy Baseball carlos lee, daisuke matsuzaka, adam dunn, aaron cook, ryan braun, orlando hudson, joba chamberlain, carl crawford, tim wakefield, billy wagner, brad lidge, rick ankiel, evan longoria, josh beckett, scott kazmir, justin verlander, javier vazquez, glen perkins, johan santana, tim lincecum, cole hamels, chris volstad, anibal sanchez, jeff karstens, eddie guardado, denard span, kerry wood, dana eveland, brandon morrow, jeff baker, huston street, clay buchholz

STUDS OF THE WEEK
Yankees' OF Bobby Abreu is heating up just at the right time. He hit his fourth homer in as many games in Saturday's win over the Angels and has now hit safely in seven of his last eight games. His .387 clip this week has raised his season average to .286 and once again made him a must-start in fantasy. Ubaldo Jimenez allowed two hits in seven shutout innings to win his fourth straight start for the Rockies on Friday night. He increased his shutout streak to 13 innings and has allowed just one run in his last three starts.

DUDS OF THE WEEK
J.J. Hardy has cooled off entering August as fast as he heated up entering July. Over the past seven games the Brewers' shortstop is hitting just .061 with 1 HR and 4 RBI. His performance  contributed to Milwaukee's disappointing effort earlier this week against Chicago, in which they were swept in a four-game series at Miller Park. It has been a week that White Sox pitcher Mark Buerhle would soon like to forget. He's 0-2 over the past 7 days as he's lasted just 9 2/3 innings in that stretch while posting a 11.57 ERA and a 2.46 WHIP.

KEY INJURIES
Brian McCann (concussion) - served as pinch-hitter this weekend
Rick Ankiel (abdominal) - hopes to return Tuesday
Chipper Jones (hamstring) - eligible to return from DL on 8/12
Kerry Wood (blister) - throwing with wound protected, could return this week
Tim Hudson (elbow) - set to undergo Tommy John surgery
Aaron Harang (forearm) - will make rehab start at Triple A on Monday
Erik Bedard (shoulder) - just now starting to throw and likely out this week
Jeff Francis (shoulder) - slated to start Tue night vs. WAS
Vernon Wells (hamstring) - hopes to return in mid-August
Chien-Ming Wang (foot) - Joe Girardi stated regular season return unlikely

TWICE AS NICE
Here are some two-start pitchers to consider this week:

AL
Must-starts:
Roy Halladay – OAK (Greg Smith), CLE (Matt Ginter)
Joe Saunders - BAL (Dennis Sarfate), NYY (Andy Pettite)
Matt Garza - CLE (Cliff Lee), @SEA (Miguel Batista)

Sleeper Picks:
Glen Perkins - @SEA (Miguel Batista), @KC (Gil Meche)
Edwin Jackson - CLE (Fausto Carmona), @SEA (R.A. Dickey)

NL
Must-Starts:
Dan Haren – PIT (Yoslan Herrera), ATL (Jair Jurrjens)
Ryan Dempster - HOU (Brian Moehler), STL (Chris Carpernter)
Chad Billingsley - @STL (Chris Carpernter), @SF (Matt Cain)

Sleeper Picks:
Josh Johnson - @PHI (Jamie Moyer), @NYM (Mike Pelfrey)
Jeff Francis - WAS (John Lannan), SD (Chris R. Young)

WAIVER WATCH (from leagues played at CBSSports.com)
Five most added:
SP Chris Carpenter (+33% roster change)
SP Chris R. Young (+31%)
SP Anibal Sanchez (+26%)
3B/C Brandon Inge (+22%)
RP Jeff Samardzija (+20%)

Five most dropped (non-injured):
RP Ryan Franklin (-15%)
SP Hiroki Kuroda (-11%)
1B Paul Konerko (-10%)
OF Cody Ross (-10%)
SP Jesse Litsch (-10%)

GAMES PLAYED
Let's take a look at how many games each team will be playing this week:

AL
7: NYY, TB, TOR, CHW, DET, OAK, SEA, TEX
6: BAL, BOS, CLE, KC, MIN, LAA

NL
7: ATL, FLA, NYM, PHI, WAS, CIN, HOU, ARI, COL, SF
6: CHC, MIL, PIT, STL, LAD, SD

Fantasy Baseball bobby abreu, ubaldo jimenez, j.j. hardy, mark buerhle, brian mccann, rick ankiel, chipper jones, kerry wood, tim hudson, aaron harang, erik bedard, jeff francis, vernon wells, chien-ming wang, roy halladay, joe saunders, matt garza, glen perkins, edwin jackson, dan haren, ryan dempster, chad billingsley, josh johnson, chris carpenter, chris r. young, anibal sanchez, brandon inge, jeff samardzija, ryan franklin, hiroki kuroda, paul konerko, cody ross, jesse litsch

STUDS OF THE WEEK
Ryan Braun has been the man over the past seven days, helping both the Brewers and fantasy owners alike making playoff runs. The Brewers' outfielder is hitting .413 with 4 HR, 12 RBI, and a SB in that span.  Indians' ace Cliff Lee made the most of his two starts this week going 2-0 with two quality starts, including a complete game. Lee has now won three straight starts and has given up just two runs in that span with 21 strikeouts. He is on pace to become Cleveland's first 20-game winner in 34 years.

DUDS OF THE WEEK
Second baseman Chase Utley is not living up to the MVP-hype from earlier in the season and this week offered more proof of that. The Phillies' slugger mustered just 3 hits and only 1 RBI in 22 at bats. We listed him as a player likely to have a second-half letdown just two weeks ago, and so far the A's Justin Duchscherer has lived up to the billing thus far as he is winless since the break. This past week was not good for teh AL All-Star as he dropped both starts while posting a 6.92 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with 10 K's and 5 BB's in 13 IP. 

KEY INJURIES
Chipper Jones (hamstring) - day-to-day with pulled hammy
Rick Ankiel (abdominal) - questionable for 7/28-7/31 vs. ATL
Tim Hudson (elbow) - keep your eyes on status for Tuesday's start
Roy Oswalt (back) - expected to return TUE night vs. CIN
Kerry Wood (finger) - blister forces him to 15-day DL
Joe Crede (back) - out until mid-August after being put on DL
Jorge Posada (shoulder) - postponed surgery; could return in mid-Aug
Erik Bedard (back) - hopes to return to rotation in early Aug
Aaron Harang (forearm) - making progress; return still unclear
Chris R. Young (nose) - could return on TUE night vs. ARI

TWICE AS NICE
Here are some two-start pitchers to consider this week:

AL
Must-starts:
Daisuke Matsuzaka – LAA (Jered Weaver), OAK (Dallas Braden)
James Shields - @TOR (A.J. Burnett), DET (Armando Galarraga)
Mark Buehrle - @MIN (Kevin Slowey), @KC (Kyle Davies)

Sleeper Picks:
Matt Ginter – DET (Armando Galarraga), @MIN (Glen Perkins)
Jeremy Guthrie - @NYY (Darrell Rasner), @SEA (Felix Hernandez)

NL
Must-Starts:
CC Sabathia – CHC (Ted Lilly), @ATL (Charlie Morton)
Carlos Zambrano - @MIL (Ben Sheets), PIT (Ian Snell)
Ricky Nolasco – NYM (John Maine), COL (Jason Hirsh?)

Sleeper Picks:
Johnny Cueto - @HOU (Jack Cassel), @WAS (Collin Balester)
Yusmeiro Petit - @SD (Greg Maddux), @LAD (Clayton Kershaw)

WAIVER WATCH (from leagues played at CBSSports.com)
Five most added:
RP Joel Hanrahan (+32% roster change)
OF Alfonso Soriano (+30%)
DH David Ortiz (+28%)
3B Ryan Zimmerman (+23%)
SS Troy Tulowitzki (+22%)

Five most dropped (non-injured):
SP Jaime Garcia (-20%)
SP Jesse Litsch (-19%)
RP Damaso Marte (-16%)
RP Grant Balfour (-14%)
SP Aaron Laffey (-12%)

GAMES PLAYED
Let's take a look at how many games each team will be playing this week:

AL
7: CHW, CLE, DET, LAA, MIN, NYY, SEA, TEX
6: BAL, BOS, KC, OAK, TB, TOR

NL
7: ARI, ATL, CHC, COL, FLA, LAD, MIL, STL
6: CIN, HOU, NYM, PIT, SD, SF, WAS

Fantasy Baseball ryan braun, cliff lee, chase utley, justin duchscherer, chipper jones, rick ankiel, tim hudson, roy oswalt, kerry wood, joe crede, jorge posada, erik bedard, aaron harang, chris r. young, daisuke matsuzaka, james shields, mark buehrle, matt ginter, jeremy guthrie, cc sabathia, carlos zambrano, ricky nolasco, johnny cueto, yusmeiro petit, joel hanrahan, alfonso soriano, david ortiz, ryan zimmerman, troy tulowitzki, jaime garcia, jesse litsch, damaso marte, grant balfour, aaron laffey

From the Chicago Tribune:

The blister on Kerry Wood's right index finger is likely to send him to the disabled list for the 12th time in his career.

"We're coming to the point where we're going to have to come to a conclusion about what to do," manager Lou Piniella said Sunday. Wood hasn't pitched since July 11, so the Cubs can backdate him on the DL to July 12, meaning he can return Sunday against Florida at Wrigley Field. 

That means Carlos Marmol will assume the closer's role in Arizona and for most of the four-game series against the Marlins. Marmol pitched a perfect ninth Sunday with a seven-run lead after being booed at Wrigley Field last week when he blew a five-run lead in the ninth inning.

"We're coming to the point where we're going to have to come to a conclusion about what to do," manager Lou Piniella said Sunday.

Wood has been a factor in the Cubs' success this season.  He is 4-2 with 24 saves, a 3.02 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. He has been much better suited for the closer's role and is getting the most out of his pitches. His 55 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 44 2/3 innings tells you all you need to know about his command.

Fantasy Baseball, MLB cubs, kerry wood, carlos marmol

The Cincinnati Reds (28-29) ended their week 5-1 and back to one game under .500 on the heels of the arrival of Jay Bruce.  Unfortunately, they lost a a game in the NL Central standings.

The Reds are looking up at the Chicago Cubs (36-21), who have won seven straight and have the best record in the majors.  It has been 100 years since the Cubs had baseball's best record after June 1st.  That was also the last time the franchise won the World Series. 

Oh what a cruel joke the "curse of the Billy Goat" is constructing on Clark and Addison.  Could you imagine if they fall out of contention - WOW!

Highly unlikely though.  Here is what makes the Cubs so good:
1.  They can hit.  Theriot, Ramirez and Fukodome all hitting over .300 and have OBP's over .400.  Six regulars hitting better than .295.  Leading the league in runs scored, BA and OBP.
2. The bullpen has been outstanding.  Wood, Marol, Wuertz have a combined ERA of 2.42 with just 31 Walk's and 118 K's in 122.1 IP's.
3. They have an ace.  At 7-1 with a 2.33 ERA, Carlos Zambrano is the bulldog all playoff teams need.
4. Nice schedule 23 of 36 wins are against teams that are currently under .500.  Cubs are 9-3 vs. PIT and 13-2 vs. the NL West.

What the Reds need to happen if they want to catch the Cubs:
1. Play .500 ball on the road.  That means they would have to go 32-21 the rest of the way. 
2. Win at home, if they continue to win at the pace they are currently are on they will end up with 34 more home wins (34-18). 
3. 94 wins that's what the Reds would have if they accomplish 1 & 2 above.  It doesn't sound far-fetched.
2. Cubs rotation not that strong with Marquis, Lily Gallagher and Dempster who hasn't thrown more than 91 innings since 2001.  At some point does it catches up with them.
3. Bench depth is a strength of the Reds and a liabilty to the Cubs if any starter goes down. 

MLB ryan theriot, aramis ramirez, kosuke fukodome, sean gallagher, ryan dempster, ted lilly, jason marquis, carlos zambrano, cubs, reds, kerry wood, carlos marmol, mike wuertz, jon lieber, billy goat, clark and addison

As things begin to wrap up in Florida and Arizona there have been quite a few moves in the last two days concerning various closers. And most of it was not good.

The Blue Jays announced that B.J. Ryan will begin the season on the DL. This is no surprise as he has barely pitched this spring. They hope to have him back mid-April at best. But given his history, it could be much later than that. Jeremy Accardo will pitch the ninth for the Jays. He led Toronto with 30 saves last year.

Brad Lidge will also begin the year on the DL. The Phillies had hoped he would secure a very shaky bullpen. That may be in peril now. He is expected to return April 5 but keep in mind that last year he was not able to hold his job with the Astros. Tom Gordon will take over the closer role in Philly. While the veteran was shaky last season and is also coming off of injury, he has pitched well in the spring.

Lou Piniella has finally decided on Kerry Wood to close games for the Cubs. He had been in competition with Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry this spring. While Wood may certainly be a great pitcher, he is no stranger to the DL. Don't be surprised to see both Marmol and Howry pitch a few games in the ninth inning this year. 

The Twins extended the contract of their stud closer Joe Nathan. The contract is reported to be worth $47 million over four years. While he may be deserving of the deal, many are wondering why the Twins didn't use some of that money to keep Johann Santana.

On a former-closer, current-starter note, John Smoltz may be heading for the DL to start the season. However, he may be able to pitch as early as April 6.  Still anytime a 40-year old pitcher starts missing games with a sore shoulder it is a sign that the end may be near.

Fantasy Baseball, MLB brad lidge, tom gordon, b.j. ryan, jeremy accardo, kerry wood, carlos marmol, bob howry, joe nathan, john smoltz