Top News:
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
GM glad to make interviews in person — Rangers general manager Jon Daniels expressed relief Monday that he will be able to interview all five candidates for the managerial opening in person. — There had been some uncertainty whether he would be able to meet with Trey Hillman …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres exercise options for Cameron, Branyan, decline Piazza, Klesko — The Padres on Monday exercised their 2007 contractual options for outfielder Mike Cameron and infielder/outfielder Russell Branyan. Meanwhile, the team declined to exercise the options for catcher Mike Piazza and first baseman Ryan Klesko.
Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:
Red Sox Pick Up Wakefield's Option — The Red Sox went through so many injuries in 2006, it would be hard to pick one as the difference-maker in a season that crashed and burned. — But given the lack of pitching depth in the season's second half, not having the normally reliable Tim Wakefield throwing …
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
With outlook healthy, Sox pick up Wakefield option — The Red Sox yesterday announced they have exercised the $4 million option they hold on Tim Wakefield's contract for 2007, after a season in which the knuckleballer turned 40, spent more time (seven weeks) on the disabled list …
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
Mike Petraglia / MLB.com:Red Sox exercise option on Wakefield
Discussion:
The Feeding the Monster Blog
Washington Post:
O's Find Soriano Is Seeking A Rich Free Agent Payday — The Baltimore Orioles, according to a team source, began preliminary discussions with Washington Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano , and were floored by the free agent's initial contract outline. — According to the source …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Fick, Guillen file for free agency — Russell might be in mix for managerial opening — WASHINGTON — Nationals catcher/first baseman Robert Fick and outfielder Jose Guillen were two of 39 players to file for free agency on Monday, bringing the total of Nationals free agents to four.
Nate Silver / Baseball Prospectus:
World Series Prospectus — Looking Forward: Tigers and Cardinals — Losing the World Series was the best thing that could have happened to the Tigers. — Okay, that's just not true. In fact, it's hard to think of a franchise whose self-identity would have been more transformed by a championship.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Ramirez plays the market — 3rd baseman exercises opt-out, files for free agency — Aramis Ramirez exercised his opt-out clause on Monday and filed for free agency, leaving $33.5 million on the table. — Whether it's simply a procedural move or an indication he intends to flee …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Re-Signing Glavine Is the Mets' Top Priority — With the World Series completed, 29 teams will spend the next four months trying to be like the St. Louis Cardinals. For the Mets, their off-season plans revolve around making sense of a muddled pitching situation headed by Tom Glavine.
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George King / New York Post:
SUPPAN UP — YANKS MAY TURN TO CARDS RIGHTY FOR ROTATION BOOST — The Yankees continue to hear from teams asking about Gary Sheffield, but it doesn't appear they expect to get a starting pitcher in exchange for the slugger if they pick up his option with the intent of trading him.
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Newsday:
Sheff deal in place, but... Cashman holding off on pulling trigger to up outfielder's trade value — The Yankees' auction of Gary Sheffield has progressed to the point that general manager Brian Cashman has a potential deal in place if he wishes to pull the trigger, an official …
Phil Rogers / ESPN:
An offseason filled with intrigue awaits — A little after the fact, for some of us, it's become clear how to pick the baseball playoffs — in each series, just look at the regular-season records and then go with the team that looks less impressive. The key, it seems, is wasting as few wins …
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Baseball America:
Cuban Defectors Find New Homes — Need evidence that Major League Baseball's revenue sharing is working and that the sport is healthy financially? — Agent Jaime Torres said that three of his most recent Cuban defector clients have reached agreement with major league organizations …
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Monday Morning Ten Pack 10/30/06 — 1B Chip Cannon, Phoenix Desert Dogs (Arizona Fall League, Blue Jays) — An eighth-round pick in 2004 out of The Citadel, Cannon put himself on the map last year by smacking 32 home runs across three levels, finishing up at Double-A. He stayed at that level …
Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Bucs shopping for free agents? — Beat reporter Ed Eagle answers Pirates fans' questions — Which of the Pirates are playing winter ball? Do the Pirates have any influence on who is required to play? — According to Pirates baseball operations assistant and all-around good guy Bryan Minniti …
