Top News:
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Yankees pick up Sheffield's option — Right fielder expected to be dangled as trade bait — NEW YORK — Gary Sheffield is still a member of the New York Yankees. For now, anyway. — The Yankees announced Sunday that they have picked up Sheffield's $13 million option for the 2007 season …
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Associated Press:
Sheffield's option exercised by Yankees — NEW YORK - Gary Sheffield's $13 million option was exercised Sunday by the New York Yankees, who plan to trade the outfielder rather than keep him. — By exercising the option, the Yankees prevented Sheffield from becoming a free agent and blocked …
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Valentine casts vote for Hillman — Padres managerial candidate Trey Hillman has never played or managed in the major leagues. — However, one of baseball's most experienced managers says Hillman would be a "very good choice" to manage the Padres. — "Trey is a hard-working …
Discussion:
Tales Of A Transplanted …
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San Diego Union-Tribune:
Baker is proven; Hillman is hot — Dusty Baker is the proven commodity, the established name, the only experienced major league manager the Padres are interviewing. — Trey Hillman, however, has the most leverage. — Hillman already has a job, with the Japan Series champion Nippon Ham Fighters …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Riding a stationary cycle — Trade talk recurs, Ramírez goes nowhere — One American League general manager put it this way when asked if he thought Manny Ramírez would finally be traded this offseason: "He's been on the block for, what, five years?
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pujols wins first Gold Glove, Rolen his 7th — Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols and third baseman Scott Rolen were recognized for defensive excellence Friday when the two All-Star performers received the Rawlings Gold Glove Award at their respective positions.
Discussion:
It's Mets For Me
NY Daily News:
Dangerous arms race — Pitching-needy Yanks, Mets must proceed carefully — If there are two lessons to be learned from the Cardinals winning the World Series behind rookie Anthony Reyes, castoffs Jeff Weaver and Jeff Suppan, and staff ace Chris Carpenter, it is that good pitching always prevails …
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
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Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Moose close to new deal — Arn Tellem, the agent for Mike Mussina, said yesterday that he and the Yankees have made "substantial progress" in their negotiations for a two-year contract. — At this rate, Mussina's contract, which is expected to be worth as much as $25 million …
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
MLB clinches Japan Series with rout — TOKYO — Over the first four innings, it seemed as if Daisuke Matsuzaka — who has the Far East and the United States abuzz these days — had secretly entered this Japan All-Star Series disguised as Horoyuki Kobayashi.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Braves' Giles could join his brother in S.D. — The emergence of Padres rookie second baseman Josh Barfield last season seemingly ended the chances of Marcus Giles joining his older brother, Brian, in San Diego. — Not so fast. — The Braves are open to trading Marcus Giles …
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Mulder on radar at Shea — At age 24, Mark Mulder had 49 career victories, a 21-win season and four postseason starts. He was considered one of baseball's premier young pitchers, seemingly a cinch to get a huge contract once he finally became a free agent.
Discussion:
The Eddie Kranepool Society
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Hall, Rays move even further apart — Despite being traded from the Devil Rays to the Dodgers in June, Toby Hall still proudly considers himself part of the Tampa Bay community, and on Monday night he is hosting his second annual Spikes and Strikes charity bowling event at Splitsville in Tampa.
Discussion:
It's Outta Here!
Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Pedro's agent says pitcher feels great — Retirement may well be an option for Pedro Martinez if his shoulder does not heal to his liking, but there was no talk of quitting coming from the righthander at his birthday party last week, according to one guest.
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Slaught resigns as Tigers hitting coach — Family is the reason why he's leaving after just one season — DETROIT — A year ago, Don Slaught and Andy Van Slyke decided to answer their old manager's call and try Major League coaching for one season with the Tigers to see if it was for them.
Discussion:
TigerBlog