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.
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Padres to talk to Oquendo on Tuesday — Cardinals third-base coach on list of managerial candidates — With his sights on seven or eight candidates, Padres general manager Kevin Towers will begin his pursuit of a successor to manager Bruce Bochy with St. Louis Cardinals third-base coach Jose Oquendo.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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
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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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 …
Discussion:
District of Baseball
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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.
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 …
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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.
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Buehrle might be on the market — White Sox pick up southpaw's option, but is he staying? — CHICAGO — Mark Buehrle received a Halloween treat from the White Sox on Monday, when the club picked up his $9.5 million option for the 2007 season. — But the left-hander's immediate future …
Discussion:
Black Sox Blog
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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 …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Mets' biggest need for 2007? — Beat reporter Marty Noble answers Mets fans' questions — What are the Mets' greatest needs for 2007 and beyond? — Generally, starting pitching and left-handed hitting. More specifically, a left fielder, a second baseman and an established pitcher likely to make 30-33 starts.
Discussion:
It's Mets For Me
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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 …
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 …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Mailbag: The skipper search continues — Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers fans' burning questions … What are the odds of Alfonso Soriano staying with the Nationals, given that they lost the opportunity to trade him for some decent pitching? — Kent B., Dumfries, Va.
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Will Reds try to trade Dunn? — Beat reporter Mark Sheldon answers Reds fans' questions — With all the talk of trading Adam Dunn, I have not heard the trade that makes the most sense to me — Dunn for Brad Lidge. The Reds need a closer and the Astros want Dunn.
