MLB Bullets Is Working On Christmas

Al's got me working on Christmas. However, since my job is to tell you what other people are writing and all those people have the holiday off, there isn't really much to bring you. The only real news comes out of Japan, where it isn't an official holiday, but Al has already brought you that news.

• So in case you missed it, the Rakuten Golden Eagles have reportedly given in and decided to post Masahiro Tanaka. I'm sure their final decision was made because Tanaka wanted to go and they didn't want a Tanaka who didn't want to be there anymore pitching for them. You can discuss it in this post.
• By the way, if you're curious about how much money gaijins in Japanese baseball make, NPB Tracker has a rough guide here. You can see why someone like Bryan LaHair would choose to play over in Japan rather than try to catch on as a bat off the bench for a major league team. (h/t Hardball Talk)
• The fallout from the Orioles/Grant Balfour fiasco continued. The latest development has the Yankees looking at Balfour, which would have him taking over Mariano Rivera's role in the Bronx. That would be a step up from the Orioles job, no doubt.
• The Orioles are still mostly interested in signing Fernando Rodney, but they also have Francisco Rodriguez on their radar.
• Peter Gammons makes his Balfour Declaration by saying the whole thing shows that despite their winning ways the past two season, the Orioles really haven't changed at all, and that makes their current success likely fleeting.
• Dave Cameron thinks the Yankees got a better deal spending $130 million on Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann than the Rangers got spending $130 million on Shin-Soo Choo.
• If you missed out on this Shin-Soo Choo and you're looking for the next one, Jeff Moore thinks you should take a look at Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson. He's likely to be available too, as the Dodgers are already overcrowded in the outfield.
• With Choo off the Texas, Jonathan Bernhardt says the Reds can't expect Joey Votto to carry the entire load for the Reds offense.
• We know he can run, but can he hit? If he can hit, maybe Billy Hamilton can be the guy to help out Votto. In any case, Reds GM Walt Jocketty says that Hamilton is going to be the Reds center fielder next season.
• For the first time in his career, Bronson Arroyo is a free agent and he doesn't like it much. He wants to sign with someone soon although he denies that he's close to a deal with any team.
• The Dodgers signed reliever Chris Perez on a one-year, $2.3 million contract. Rumor has it that the Dodgers insisted that Perez's dog stay home, or that he brings enough for everyone.
• Phil Rogers thinks that the Dodgers have put together are very impressive bullpen.
• Jack Moore has a list of the best six free agents left on the market. If the Cubs can't land Tanaka, I'm a big proponent that the Cubs should look at Ubaldo Jimenez. He'd cost the Cubs their second-round pick, but that compensation will keep most teams from bidding which could make Jimenez's contract demands reasonable.
• The Rays are in no hurry to trade David Price.
• The San Francisco 49ers played the last sporting event at Candlestick Park on Monday, and Willie Mays and Willie McCovey were there to be honored at the park they made famous.
• Mike Trout was even better in his second season than he was in his rookie year.
• Mike Axisa has a Christmas gift idea for all 15 National League Teams.
• And for all 15 American League teams as well. So if you're still thinking about something to get the Minnesota Twins this year...
• Finally, this year's big baseball movie is going to be Million Dollar Arm starring Jon Hamm. You can see the trailer here.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you. And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.