Cubbies Crib: Morning Marquee 12/26

The Masahiro Tanaka sweepstakes officially begin this morning. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers are among the teams reportedly interested in the star Japanese right-hander. Teams have until January 24 to negotiate a deal with Tanaka.

New York Newsday: Yankees, other teams can start courting star Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka Thursday

Cubs Den: Cubs have reportedly signed top IFA 3B-SS Wladimir Galindo

Cubs.com: Optimistic manager Renteria leads Cubs into new year

ESPN Chicago: Shark wants to stay in Chicago (Insider)

CSN Chicago: Samardzija ignores the noise, hopes his future will be with Cubs

Daily Herald: For Girardi, now every day is Christmas

Fox Sports: Will Balfour be Rivera’s replacement in the Bronx?

NBC Sports: Matt Kemp is out of his walking boot

CBS Sports: Is there actually a voter bias against DHs for the Hall of Fame?

Toronto Sun: Steve Simmons won’t vote for steroid class in Baseball Hall of Fame balloting

Chicago Tribune: Think these 10 sports records can be broken? Think again

YouTube: New video of Red Sox celebrating World Series title will give you chills

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