Top News:
Associated Press:
Dodgers outfielder Drew opts out of contract — LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder J.D. Drew opted out of the final three years of his contract Thursday, making him eligible to become a free agent. — "He led the club in RBIs. You just don't snap your fingers and find another player like that …
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Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Drew opts to try out the market — Outfielder takes a $33-million gamble with his Dodgers contract to become a free agent. Colletti says, 'He wants out. He can have out.' — Outfielder J.D. Drew opted out of the final three years of his contract with the Dodgers on Thursday …
Discussion:
Purple Row
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cardinals close to bringing back Edmonds — The World Series champion Cardinals, facing a deadline to decide on Jim Edmonds' future, are close to signing the center fielder to a two-year contract, FOXSports.com has learned. — Edmonds' average salary in the deal is expected to be comparable …
Discussion:
Luck O' The Redbirds
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Associated Press:
Bid-ness as usual — Igawa cleared by Hanshin to pursue career in majors — TOKYO (AP) — Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa of the Hanshin Tigers was given permission by his club to pursue a career in the major leagues. — Igawa, who would have had to play in Japan for three more seasons …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Rangers may win bidding — In recent weeks, the Rangers have been depicted in national and international reports as major players in the Daisuke Matsuzaka sweepstakes — and they are exactly that. — A baseball official with knowledge of the process said Thursday that the Rangers …
Associated Press:
Mets' Glavine Files for Free Agency — NEW YORK — Mets pitcher Tom Glavine filed provisionally for free agency Thursday, still uncertain whether he wants to stay in New York or try to go back to the Atlanta Braves. — Glavine has until Friday to exercise a $7.5 million player option …
Discussion:
Tales Of A Transplanted …
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Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
TOM DECLINES OPTION — BUT GLAVINE MAY STILL REMAIN A MET — Tom Glavine took care of some paperwork yesterday, filing provisionally for free agency. — Glavine still has not made up his mind whether he will return to the Mets in 2007 or opt to sign with the Braves, so he can be closer to home, a la Roger Clemens and the Astros.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats likely to build from within in '07 — Club not expected to pursue big-name free agents this winter — WASHINGTON — For the second consecutive year, the Nationals finished fifth in the National League East. This time, pitching and a lack of defense and fundamentals were the reasons the team lost 91 games in 2006.
Discussion:
Oleanders and Morning Glories
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats could pick new skipper next week — Mets third-base coach Acta appears to be top candidate — WASHINGTON — The Nationals are expected to make a final decision on their new manager during the general managers meetings in Naples, Fla., sometime next week, according to a baseball source …
Bill Conlin / Miami Herald:
Just say SoriaNO — I HAVE COME to praise Alfonso Soriano, not to bury him. He is a special player with special skills. He is also a flawed player with special flaws. — In his first season in leftfield - he had to be dragged there kicking and screaming - Soriano was ranked No. 3 among …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Associated Press:
Yankees insisting that Steinbrenner is in good health — NEW YORK — Yankees officials insisted George Steinbrenner was in good health, a day after Gary Sheffield said his future with New York would be secure if the owner's condition was better. — Steinbrenner fainted last month …
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
No big hike in payroll likely for 2007 — Alfonso Soriano won't get the free-agent money he's looking for from the Florida Marlins. You can bank on the Marlins not having the high bid in the Daisuke Matsuzaka posting process either. — In spite of a 2006 team that performed better than most anticipated …
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Sox may pitch their attention at Drew — Roger Clemens, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and J.D. Drew — all three are at least currently linked to the Red Sox, though none could end up in Boston. — One major league source indicated last night that the prevailing talk in the international market …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Miller back with 1-year deal — Incentives could bring up to $5.25 million — The Wade Miller experiment will continue one more year, though the Cubs hope to get a better return on their investment in 2007. — Miller, a 30-year-old right-hander, agreed to a one-year …
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Crede decides against back surgery — Sox medical staff given top honor by Baseball Prospectus — CHICAGO — When questioned on the final day of the 2006 regular season, Joe Crede seemed to be leaning toward offseason rehab over microsurgery to strengthen two herniated discs in his back.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Associated Press:
Tigers name Lloyd McClendon hitting coach — DETROIT - Former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon was named hitting coach of the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. — McClendon, who last year served as Detroit's bullpen coach, replaces Don Slaught, another former Pirate who six days ago announced …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
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