Top News:
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 …
RELATED ITEMS:
Associated Press:
Red Sox keep Wakefield, but will Mirabelli be back? — BOSTON — Tim Wakefield is looking forward to his 13th season with the Boston Red Sox, with or without his favorite catcher. — The club exercised its $4 million option on the knuckleballer on Monday, two days after Doug Mirabelli …
Mike Petraglia / MLB.com:
Red Sox exercise option on Wakefield — Right-hander Timlin signs one-year deal for 2007 season — BOSTON — Tim Wakefield's value to the Red Sox is such that the announcement the club was picking up his $4 million option for 2007 was essentially a foregone conclusion.
Discussion:
The Feeding the Monster Blog
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.
RELATED ITEMS:
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
Associated Press:
Padres decline option on Piazza; Cameron will return — SAN DIEGO — If Mike Piazza returns to the San Diego Padres next season, it will have to be for less than $8 million. — The Padres declined to exercise 2007 options for Piazza and slugger Ryan Klesko on Monday.
Discussion:
Baseball Crank
RELATED ITEMS:
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 …
RELATED ITEMS:
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.
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
RELATED ITEMS:
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
RELATED ITEMS:
Marcus Hayes / Philadelphia Daily News:
Soriano targeted; Pat's pact edible? — LIKE EVERYONE else in the Phillies family, president David Montgomery gnashes his teeth when he thinks of the St. Louis Cardinals hoisting the Commissioner's Trophy. — Maybe signing Alfonso Soriano, who filed for free agency yesterday …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
RELATED ITEMS:
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 …
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 …
Sports Illustrated:
Power plays — Tigers need to make big splash in free-agent market — Losing the World Series was the best thing that could have happened to the Tigers. — OK, that's not true. In fact, it's hard to think of a franchise whose self-identity would have been transformed more by a championship.
Discussion:
Cutoff Man
Alex Carnevale / Baseball Prospectus:
The Week In Quotes — October 23-30 … —Cardinals outfielder Preston Wilson … —Cardinals infielder Aaron Miles, on Eckstein. (Denver Post) — HE'S REFRAINING FROM BLURTING OUT, "WE GOT BEAT BY THAT MIDGET?!" … —Tigers manager Jim Leyland … —Leyland, clearly incensed.
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.
Baseball America:
Arizona Fall League Notebook: Oct. 30 — SURPRISE, Ariz.—Hunter Pence has never really been a good defender. The 23-year-old will hit for average, and you know he's going to hit for power with 59 homers over the last two seasons—the last 28 of which came at Double-A Corpus Christi during the regular season.
