Top News:
ESPN:
Report: Red Sox may have top Matsuzaka bid — The Boston Red Sox may have posted the top bid for the right to negotiate with Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported, citing Major League Baseball sources. — There has been no official announcement …
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Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Rangers may win bidding for Matsuzaka — 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 …
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 …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Angels bid for Japanese all-star pitcher — The most valuable player in the World Baseball Classic went 17-5 with a 2.13 earned-run average last season for the Seibu Lions. — The Angels bid for star Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka this week and could find out as soon as today whether they have won negotiating rights to him.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Teams Counting Down to the Matsuzaka Hour — The Yankees have full control over the future of Gary Sheffield, their right fielder of the past. They only wish they had control of Daisuke Matsuzaka, the pitcher they hope will be their ace of the future. — Major League Baseball closed …
Discussion:
GROTA
Sports Illustrated:
Tigers trade for Sheffield — Yankees acquire three pitching prospects in return — The Yankees and Tigers have agreed on a Gary Sheffield trade, SI.com has learned. — In return, the Yankees will acquire highly touted right-hander Humberto Sanchez and Class A pitchers Kevin Whelan …
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Danny Knobler / MLive.com:
Tigers may be close to landing Sheffield — DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers have a new hitting coach. They may also be closing in on getting a new hitter. — Outfielder Gary Sheffield, a nine-time All-Star who won a world championship with Tigers manager Jim Leyland in Florida …
ESPN:
Tigers deal three pitchers to Yankees for Sheffield — The Detroit Tigers have acquired Gary Sheffield from the New York Yankees for three righthanded pitching prospects, the Tigers announced Friday. — In return for Sheffield, the Tigers sent Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett to New York.
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:
Tribe Report, Associated Press, Purple Row, MLB Trade Rumors and Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Bill Plaschke / Los Angeles Times:This contract was never a good buy, so good riddance
Discussion:
6-4-2
Washington Post:
Nats Stay In Touch With Acta About Job — New York Mets third base coach Manny Acta returned from Japan yesterday, exhausted from a long flight and lack of sleep, but still with the hope provided by the news that he is still in the running to become the next manager of the Washington Nationals.
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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 …
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Tim Leonard / MLB.com:
Brewers' Bray regaining form in AFL — Third base prospect Braun continues to showcase power — Steve Bray has been close to automatic of late. Over his last five relief appearances in the Arizona Fall League, the 25-year-old right-hander has given up just one hit.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:
WTIC Negotiating With The Yankees — For the past 46 years, WTIC-AM (1080) and the Red Sox have been a featured pairing in Connecticut. But that could be changing soon. — Multiple sources said Thursday that WTIC might be close to severing its ties with the Red Sox and is exploring …
Tim Marchman / New York Sun:
'Aces' or Not, Top-Tier Pitching Is Priceless — As we wait eagerly for something, or anything, to happen this off-season, the woolgathering has turned, as it usually does, to pitching, and how badly the Mets and Yankees need it. This, as it usually does, has turned to woolgathering …
Discussion:
Purple Row
Bob Hohler / Boston Globe:
Many players regard firearm as a necessity — Concealed weapon licenses common — A tower of power, he stands 7 feet 1 inch, weighs 325 pounds, and bears a tattoo of Superman's signature "S" on his massive left arm. Yet NBA great Shaquille O'Neal protects himself off the basketball court …
Sports Illustrated:
Hot Stove preview — The deadline for free agents to file is Saturday. After that, the signings will come fast and furious. Before the Hot Stove fray begins in earnest, let's take a look at which items will be on each team's shopping list. I've compiled the American League list below, ranked by order of finish in each division.
