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 …
Discussion:
Keep Your Sox On In Brooklyn, Off the Facade, Powered, Pride of the Yankees, Yanksfan vs Soxfan, Hot Foot and YanksBlog.com
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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.
Chris Constancio / Hardball Times:When Will Daisuke Matsuzaka's Arm Fall Off?
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
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
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:Marlins: Pitching depth might bring about trades
Discussion:
Washington Post
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 …
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.
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Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
No getaway day: Ramirez, Wood staying — Hendry can rest easier, begin pursuit of free agent Soriano — Jim Hendry leaves for the general managers meetings today, secure in the knowledge his biggest offseason headache has eased. About 12 hours after third baseman Aramis Ramirez hit the open market …
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Timing everything for Ramirez, Cubs — Desperate to win, club forgives lapses and re-signs slugger — Right place, right time. That's why Aramis Ramirez, who is clearly not the Cubs' best player, is now their highest-paid player. — Given his bosses' desperate desire to go from 66-96 …
Discussion:
GROTA
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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
Stan Kasten / Washington Post:
Washington Nationals — A transcript follows. — Kasten is the former president of the Atlanta Braves, and was also president of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks and NHL's Atlanta Thrashers. — When Kasten was hired this year, Washington Post staff writer Dave Sheinin wrote : "Washington is getting …
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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.
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?
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Hot Stove: GMs all set to go batty — Soriano leads field as run producers prove valuable — There's more than one burner heating up on the Hot Stove circuit. — With the Daisuke Matsuzaka sweepstakes entering the final hours, it's time to put a little more focus on some of the hitters …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Does Texas have a No. 1? — Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers Rangers fans' questions — Free agents are now allowed to talk money with any team. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels, after having hired a manager, is on his way to the GM meetings in Florida.
