Top News:
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Verlander wins AL Rookie of the Year — Tigers' flame-throwing right-hander honored by BBWAA — DETROIT — Justin Verlander was already considered the best rookie in the American League according to two separate polls of players. On Monday, however, was the most prestigious honor of all.
Discussion:
Tiger Tales, Pending Pinstripes, Baseball Musings, Talking Chop, Mack Avenue Tigers and It's Outta Here!
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Ramirez named NL Rookie of the Year — Hanley nips Zimmerman for BBWAA honor — MIAMI — To fully appreciate Hanley Ramirez's rookie season, some historical perspective is needed. — The gifted 22-year-old Marlins shortstop posted some first-year numbers that rival some of the game's all-time greats.
Associated Press:
Tigers' Verlander, Marlins' Ramirez are top rookies — NEW YORK — Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins won a tight race for NL Rookie of the Year, and Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander took home the AL award Monday. — Ramirez beat out Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman …
ESPN:
Sources: Red Sox bid high of $42M for Matsuzaka — The Red Sox bid $42 million for the right to negotiate with prized Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons. Boston's bid far exceeded any other team's offer. — Matsuzaka will learn Tuesday whether …
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Chris Constancio / Hardball Times:
When Will Daisuke Matsuzaka's Arm Fall Off? — Where will Daisuke Matsuzaka go? How good will he be? We will all probably know which MLB organization won the bidding for the Seibu Lions star pitcher by Monday evening, and the high cost of the acquisition is sure to inspire plenty of hot stove debates.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Free-agent free-for-all could be costly gamble — NAPLES, Fla. — Anybody remember the saying from the 1980s TV game show Press Your Luck? — You know, "Big money, no whammies," or something to that effect. — Contestants kept pushing on, risking more and more of their just-won money until they hit a "whammy" and went bust.
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Ronald Blum / Associated Press:Baseball GMs gather in Fla. for meetings
Discussion:
Associated Press
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Willis' fate could be decided soon — Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis has spent his off-season getting ready for one of the biggest moves of his life: He's getting married next month. — But a wedding might not be the only change in store for him this winter.
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins: Pitching depth might bring about trades — If the 2007 season started today, the Marlins would be perhaps the only team to know its starting rotation. — That may not be indicative of their willingness to trade some of their surplus pitching. — The front office enters …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Rookie Race Too Close to Call — Nats' Zimmerman Has the Numbers, but So Do Others — If the waves are right and it's not too cold, you might find Ryan Zimmerman off the coast of Virginia Beach, wetsuit wrapped around his body, surfboard under his feet. If the rain holds off and the breeze …
NY Daily News:
For Valentin, 2nd run with Mets — Jose Valentin's surprise performance for the 2006 Mets has earned him another year in Flushing. — The Mets have agreed with Valentin on what is believed to be a one-year contract for a substantial raise - to roughly $3 million - pending a physical …
Discussion:
Tales Of A Transplanted …
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New York Post:
VALENTIN RETURNING TO METS — As a reward for emerging as the productive replacement to Kaz Matsui at second base, Jose Valentin has agreed to a contract with the Mets that will more than quadruple his salary. — Valentin has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with a vesting option for 2008 …
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
GM Meetings under way in Naples — Rule changes will be discussed, rumors will be rampant — NAPLES, Fla. — General managers and their assistants from each of the 30 Major League clubs gathered here on Monday morning for their annual meetings, which will be ongoing for the next four days.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals Know What They'll Get — When most new managers arrive at their first spring training, there is little that can occur before the introductions. They must meet the new players, slap a few backs, lay down the rules, set the expectations. The feeling-out process is far more important than …
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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Meche officially a free agent — Mariners will go to market to find pitching — Sunday was the first day in the professional career of Gil Meche that he wasn't a Seattle Mariner. — Meche was one of the dozens of big leaguers who officially became free agents Sunday, able to shop themselves to any organization.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Towers has needs, and also leverage — The Padres' Kevin Towers today departs for baseball's general managers meetings in Florida appearing more empowered than in his 11 previous offseasons as GM. — Given about $30 million in payroll relief, Towers has enhanced spending ability …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Morning Call:
It's the ... IRONPIGS — Lehigh Valley's minor league baseball team selects a nickname — By Daniel Patrick Sheehan Of The Morning Call — After 3,500 contest entries, 10,000 online votes, 10 focus groups and plenty of second-guessing, it came down to this: — The Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Discussion:
Beerleaguer
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