Top News:
Mark Hale / New York Post:
KENNEDY INTRIGUED BY METS — Playing for the Mets appeals to Adam Kennedy. — Kennedy, one of the elite options among free-agent second basemen this winter, has spent the last seven seasons with the Angels. He filed for free agency on Sunday, however, and yesterday his agent, Paul Cohen …
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
For Schmidt, it's not all location, location, location — The Mets went after Jason Schmidt in trade discussions with the Giants this past season. They need starting pitching for 2007, and Schmidt filed for free agency Sunday. — Few industry people expect Schmidt to wind up with the Mets …
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.
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.
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 …
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 …
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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 …
Mike Petraglia / MLB.com:Red Sox exercise option on Wakefield
Discussion:
The Feeding the Monster Blog
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 …
Discussion:
1060west
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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
Sean McAdam / ESPN:
Blind bidding process first step to signing Matsuzaka — Officially, baseball's free-agent auction doesn't start for another couple of weeks when players become eligible to sign with teams other than their own. — But unofficially, the bidding could begin sooner for at least one particular free agent.
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Denver Post:
Rockies eye speedy Roberts — The Padres' left fielder could fill Colorado's need for a leadoff hitter — In an effort to increase team speed, the Rockies began their serious run at San Diego Padres free-agent outfielder Dave Roberts on Monday. — Roberts fits their need for a center fielder …
Discussion:
Purple Row
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Brantley named new Reds broadcaster — Former big-league pitcher, ESPN analyst returns to Cincy — CINCINNATI — As a kid growing up in Birmingham, Ala., Jeff Brantley was a huge fan of the Reds and the "Big Red Machine." And in the days long before satellite and cable sports on television …
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Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Will Burrell return in 2007? — Beat reporter Ken Mandel answers Phils fans' questions — I recently heard general manager Pat Gillick sing the praises of Pat Burrell and his 29 homers when asked about him. Should I take this to mean that Burrell will be back next season?
Discussion:
The700Level.com
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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 …
ESPN:
Steinbrenner OK after falling ill at granddaughter's play — New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner fell ill while attending his granddaughter's performance of Cabaret on Sunday at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., but is fine Tuesday in Tampa, Fla., according to his spokesman.
