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.
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels lose out in bidding for Japanese pitcher — The Angels are on the verge of falling to 0-2 this off-season. After their top free-agent target, Aramis Ramirez, signed a five-year, $75-million deal Sunday to remain with the Chicago Cubs, the Angels are expected to learn today …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
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 …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Prize-Winning Red Sox Bid for a Big Off-Season — Wearing matching floral print shirts, the major league general managers spent a good chunk of Monday afternoon bowling at a nearby alley. At stake was only pride, not a greater prize, like the exclusive negotiating rights to Daisuke Matsuzaka, the star right-handed pitcher from Japan.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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
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.
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, Mack Avenue Tigers, Baseball Musings, 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
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Latest notes from the GM meetings — NAPLES, Fla. - Notes from the general managers' meetings: — How hot is free-agent right-hander Gil Meche? His agent, Casey Close, says that more than half of the teams in the majors have expressed interest in the pitcher, with about one-third …
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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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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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Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Today — Catching Up — This has been the earliest start to an offseason that I can remember. The biggest news in the two weeks following the World Series usually consists of free-agent filings and option pickups or drops, making early November the perfect time to recharge after a busy October.
Discussion:
Royals Review
Dave / U.S.S. Mariner:
Richie Sexson: Albatross — I've talked about this in other posts the last few months, but never laid out a complete case for it to the point where I feel people actually understand where I'm coming from. Talking with other Mariner fans, I certainly don't get the sense that very many people agree …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
