Top News:
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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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.
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Yankees trade Gary Sheffield to Tigers for 3 pitching prospects — NEW YORK (AP) — Gary Sheffield was traded from the New York Yankees to the Detroit Tigers on Friday for three pitching prospects. — The Yankees exercised Sheffield's $13 million option last weekend to prevent him from becoming …
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 …
Christina Kahrl / Baseball Prospectus:
Matsuzaka Madness — Watching and Waiting — The free-agent shopping season is beginning to heat up, but before it's even really begun, we're already witnessing a frenzied pursuit of a potential Japanese Leagues import, right-handed starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, pitching ace of the Seibu Lions.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:Calm down, nothing has happened yet (2)
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Nick Cafardo / Extra Bases:Matsuzaka mania — There's growing steam behind a report …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Jeter, Beltran among Silver Sluggers — New York stars among 13 first-time winners of award — The influx of young, productive hitters into the Major Leagues continues to grow, and big-league managers and coaches are definitely noticing. — First-time winners far outnumbered previous winners …
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Crede, Dye first-time Silver Sluggers — Third baseman, right fielder honored for prowess at plate — CHICAGO — Joe Crede has carved out a very distinctive niche in regard to his status as one of the American League's elite performers. — That specific stronghold usually includes Crede diving …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Edmonds gets two-year extension from Cardinals — The Cardinals took a first step toward retaining the core of their world championship team Friday by finalizing a two-year contract extension for center fielder Jim Edmonds, the team's longest-tenured player as well as its RBI leader the past postseason.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Drew surprises LA, becomes free agent — Team RBI leader exercises escape clause in contract — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers essentially swapped 100 RBIs for $33 million Thursday when right fielder J.D. Drew exercised an escape clause to void the final three years of his $55 million contract and became a free agent.
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Deal or no deal? Cubs' Ramirez seeks six-year contract … Third baseman Aramis Ramirez took advantage of an out clause in his contract to walk away from the two years and $22.5 million still owed him by the Chicago Cubs. — He'll be looking for a considerably longer, more generous commitment in his next deal.
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds sign former Yankee Crosby — Veteran outfielder's one-year contract worth $400,000 — CINCINNATI — The Reds made their first acquisition of the offseason on Friday, signing outfielder Bubba Crosby to a one-year contract worth $400,000. — By signing him to a Major League deal …
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 …
