Top News:
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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Sports Illustrated:
Boston places highest Matsuzaka bid — Red Sox have 30 days to negotiate contract with ace — NAPLES, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox have won negotiating rights for Japanese League star Daisuke Matsuzaka, SI.com has confirmed. — The winning bid is thought to be for between $34 million and $38 million.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Red Sox should be smart with their money — NAPLES, Fla. - From every indication, the Red Sox are going as nuts for Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka as Borat did for Pamela Anderson. Their final payout for Matsuzaka could exceed $25 million per season, a sum that is as breathtaking as it is extreme.
Discussion:
3,079 Miles to Fenway …
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
GMs bowled over as meetings open — Execs hit the lanes in Naples; full agenda set for Tuesday — NAPLES, Fla. — On the first day of their annual meetings, the general managers went bowling. That's right. You heard right. — The winner was Kevin Towers of the Padres, who bowled in the mid-160s.
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Red Sox reportedly win Matsuzaka bid — Price to negotiate with Japanese star as high as $50 million — NAPLES, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox have apparently won the U.S. rights to star Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, it was reported on several media outlets and substantiated by highly placed baseball officials on Monday.
Discussion:
Extra Bases
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:Matsuzaka update — The Seibu Lions will hold a press conference …
Discussion:
Replacement Level …
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:
6-4-2, Tiger Tales, Pending Pinstripes, Baseball Musings, Mack Avenue Tigers, Talking Chop, It's Outta Here! and Bless You Boys
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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 …
Discussion:
Baseball Crank, Bay City Ball, Bucs Dugout, Batter's Box Interactive … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Girardi returning as Yankees broadcaster — NEW YORK —Joe Girardi's next move is back into the broadcast booth with the New York Yankees — rather than seeking another managing job. — Fired by the Florida Marlins after one season as their manager, Girardi will rejoin the Yankees' broadcast team …
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Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Notes: Girardi joins YES broadcast team — Former Yankee heads to the booth; Wright has no hard feelings — NEW YORK — Joe Girardi is back in the Yankees family, but he won't be wearing pinstripes. — Girardi was introduced as the newest member of the YES Network broadcast team on Monday …
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
On eve of meetings, Ramirez and Wood stay with Cubs, Wright dealt to Orioles — NAPLES, Fla. — Even before the start of the annual general managers' meetings, baseball teams were busy doing deals. — Aramis Ramirez decided not to pursue the free-agent market, agreeing Sunday to a $75 million …
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Mets break ground on new ballpark — New stadium will be called Citi Field, should be ready for '09 — NEW YORK — Prepared with shovels, inspirational words and a name for their 21st century field of dreams, the Mets and a cast of dignitaries officially broke ground on their new stadium Monday.
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Bob Klapisch / ESPN:
Steinbrenner wielded his power in signing Contreras — The insult, delivered from Fenway and fired straight to the Bronx, reached all the way to Tampa on Thursday where Yankees owner George Steinbrenner's anger bubbled close to the surface. So say members of the Yankees front office …
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Hart Bracken / The Soxaholix:Help me, I'm flaming, I must be a hundred and nine
Discussion:
El Lefty Malo
Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Astros plan to be aggressive — GM Purpura met with agents for several free agents Monday — NAPLES, Fla. — You didn't have to be a venture capitalist to see dollar signs at the General Managers Meetings at the posh Naples Grande Resort on Monday, and that was before discovering that a cup …
Discussion:
Bucco Blog
Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Bucs after top-notch starters? — Beat reporter Ed Eagle answers Pirates fans' questions — You mentioned that "Pirates management has said that the team will not be in the market for the top-tier free agents this winter." What about Greg Maddux? Would he be considered top tier?
