Top News:
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Maddux wins record-tying 16th Gold Glove — NEW YORK (AP) — Greg Maddux has become a constant in an era of change. — The slick-fielding pitcher won his 16th Gold Glove on Friday, tying the record shared by pitcher Jim Kaat and third baseman Brooks Robinson. — "I'm honored," Maddux said in a statement.
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Dodger Hill
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Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Sox take a flier on fading top prospect — The White Sox hope to rehabilitate the troubled career of Luis Terrero, once a top prospect, after signing him to a one-year contract Friday. — He has been released twice and suspended twice already, but the 26-year-old outfielder …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Sox' ailing Anderson back home — Brian Anderson has no idea what the ramifications of his decision to leave Winter League play will be, but the White Sox outfielder wasn't terribly concerned with that Friday. — After developing some sort of stomach virus that dropped his weight 15 pounds …
Associated Press:
Sosa eyes return to big leagues, 600 home runs — SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Sammy Sosa, 12 home runs shy of 600, said he wants to return to the big leagues in 2007 after taking a year off and contemplating retirement. — "I feel good physically, and after a year of resting …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Kabuki Auction: Bidding Intrigue Behind the Scenes — Like a toll on a turnpike or a personal seat license at a new stadium, an upfront fee is required these days for a 26-year-old ace pitcher from Japan. — The bidding for Daisuke Matsuzaka has begun, and no one knows quite how high it will go.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Associated Press:
Rangers set second interview with Washington — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Oakland Athletics third-base coach Ron Washington is scheduled to have a second interview Sunday with the Texas Rangers, who are expected to hire their new manager next week. — Washington is among five candidates …
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Yahoo! Sports:
Twins LHP Liriano to undergo "Tommy John" surgery on Monday — MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) - Francisco Liriano's brilliant rookie season ended with him sidelined by elbow soreness. Unfortunately, the lefthander will spend his second season rehabilitating from surgery.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Kasten eyes end to search — Manager may be named soon; Johnson to have more surgery — WASHINGTON — The Nationals held a luncheon with Washington beat writers on Friday, and team president Stan Kasten said he is hoping the franchise will name a manager within the next two weeks.
Don Burke / New Jersey Online:
Mets target Cards' Mulder — On a day Pedro Martinez hinted he might never come back, the Mets expressed interest in a potential replacement: free-agent pitcher Mark Mulder. — According to a person familiar with the situation, the Mets made a brief contact with Mulder's camp to express interest …
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Notes: Rivera backs A-Rod — Yanks closer hopes to sign extension prior to new season — NEW YORK — Mariano Rivera wants to pitch for three more years, with his final season coming in the new Yankee Stadium. And he hopes that Alex Rodriguez is with him for all three of those seasons.
Discussion:
Baseball's Savior
Mark Hale / New York Post:
AMAZIN'S PLAN TO BID FOR MATSUZAKA — The Mets anticipate trying to land Daisuke Matsuzaka's rights by offering a bid for the Japanese star right-hander, according to a person with knowledge of the team's plans. — Matsuzaka hit the market Thursday and bids by MLB teams are due by Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Yahoo! Sports:
Mike Mussina: Mets an Option — Update: Mussina has told friends that the Mets would be a welcome option if the Yankees don't want him back. And the Mets will be interested in Mussina when he becomes a free agent in less than two weeks, the NY Post reports.
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Mota? What a mess — Ex-Met reliever could have left MLB on spot — Having an 83-victory St. Louis Cardinals team in the World Series didn't excite sports fans across the country. The New York Mets would have delivered higher ratings, and it would have been fun to watch the middle …
Andrew Baggarly / Contra Costa Times:
Bonds' act was a big problem for the Giants — The prevailing opinion is that the Giants will seek to re-sign Barry Bonds, who needs 22 home runs to break the all-time record, but sources said the club is weighing many factors. — Money is only one factor.
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Rob Rossi / PittsburghLIVE.com:
Bucs not affected much by new agreement — TRIBUNE-REVIEW — According to Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield, few of the changes brought upon by baseball's new collective bargaining agreement will have a dramatic effect on the way he goes about running the franchise.