Top News:
Jeff Sackmann / Hardball Times:
Putting a Price on Matsuzaka — If you don't yet know the name Daisuke Matsuzaka, you will soon. The Seibu Lions, his team in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), are likely to make him available to major league clubs through the posting system, which allows teams to bid on the right …
Discussion:
Hot Foot
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Associated Press:
Japan's Matsuzaka headed to majors — Daisuke Matsuzaka, the most dominant pitcher in Japanese baseball for the past eight seasons, is heading to the major leagues. — "I feel very relieved today," Matsuzaka told a packed press conference. "I've wanted to go to the major leagues for a long …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Yankees not ruling out moving A-Rod — The Yankees aren't ruling out a blockbuster involving third baseman Alex Rodriguez, according to major-league sources. The impetus for a deal, however, would need to come from Rodriguez and his agent, Scott Boras, both of whom say A-Rod isn't going anywhere.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
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Fox Sports:
Report: Yanks have Sheffield trade in place — New York Yankees' general manager Brian Cashman has a potential trade in place for slugger Gary Sheffield, according to a Newsday report. — The Long Island, N.Y. newspaper reported the news citing an unnamed official from another American League team.
Sports Illustrated:
No Sheff delight — Sullen slugger has only himself to blame for plight — Also in this column: — Much to Gary Sheffield's public dismay, the Yankees have determined they will either trade him to a team that will exercise his $13 million option, or exercise that bargain option themselves.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Jack O'Connell / MLB.com:
Vote for your favorite MLB broadcaster — Final vote-getter to receive prestigious Ford C. Frick Award — Fans with a keen ear for the sounds that emanate from baseball's broadcast booths will have a chance to put their favorite announcers in position to be honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Glavine likes Mets' pitch — Near deal for 2 years, $25M — TOKYO - Not only does Tom Glavine appear poised to remain a Met, he apparently intends to pitch in Flushing through the 2008 season. Glavine and the Mets are deep in discussions about a two-year, $25 million contract …
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Kevin Kernan / New York Post:RETURN TO METS AN OPTION FOR GLAVINE
Discussion:
Tales Of A Transplanted …
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Sox rank first in their class — Baseball America says their draft was best of '06 — Further evidence that the Red Sox' commitment to drafting and developing their own players is not just eyewash, as Jimy Williams would say, comes this week in Baseball America, the trade publication …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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Mike Petraglia / MLB.com:Baird tabbed as Epstein's assistant
Discussion:
El Guapo's Ghost Rambles …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Coaches Page, Knorr back to Minors — WASHINGTON — Hitting coach Mitchell Page and bullpen coach Randy Knorr will work in the team's Minor League system next season. Page will be the team's hitting coordinator, and Knorr will return as manager of Class A Potomac.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Heilman on Cubs' radar — Carlos Zambrano and Rich Hill appear to be the only two certainties for the Cubs rotation next spring, so general manager Jim Hendry is likely looking to fill three spots this winter. — Hendry will try to bring in one or two front-line starters through free agency …
Discussion:
GROTA
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New York Times:
Steinbrenner Is Doing Well After Hospital Stay — George Steinbrenner, the Yankees' principal owner, was hospitalized Sunday after feeling faint as he watched his granddaughter perform in "Cabaret" at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. — It was the second time in three years …
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Deadspin:
The Skinny On The Harold Reynolds Lawsuit — Steelers Choose To Stay The Course — We should be saving this for our Heartfelt Fridays post, but, you know, we couldn't wait. So ... sorry. In the Steelers' press conference on Tuesday, coach Bill Cowher said that he is officially taking …
Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins' Allison in trouble again, faces 3 charges — Marlins minor league pitcher Jeff Allison is in trouble again. — Allison faces three felony charges — one count for heroin possession and two for possession of stolen vehicles — stemming from separate incidents last week in North Carolina …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Giants hire Flannery as third-base coach — Another longtime Padre has joined the rival Giants. — Tim Flannery, a popular former player and coach, agreed yesterday to become Bruce Bochy's third-base coach, just five days after San Francisco hired Bochy as its manager.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Baseball Prospectus:
Internet Baseball Awards — Staff Ballots — It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Travis Hafner posted the highest OBP in the AL while nobody noticed, while Neifi Perez ended up getting playoff PT. The young guns had their day and then some.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
