Top News:
Associated Press:
Red Sox's winning bid for Matsuzaka — $51.1 million — NAPLES, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox emerged Tuesday night as winners of the bidding for Daisuke Matsuzaka with a $51.1 million offer and have 30 days to sign the Japanese pitcher to a contract. — The Seibu Lions of Japan's Pacific League announced …
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Green light — For $51m, Sox get go-ahead on Matsuzaka — NAPLES, Fla. — What did the Red Sox accomplish in outbidding the Yankees and Mets, among others, for the rights to negotiate with Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka? — "If they can sign him, they've got the best pitcher in the market …
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Fact plus fiction, it's a great story — First of all, let's drop all talk of the "gyroball," the wonder pitch Daisuke Matsuzaka is said to throw. — He doesn't. No pro, here or in Japan, has been documented as throwing one. It's appeared only in anime, Japanese animation.
Sports Illustrated:
Red Sox win battle for Matsuzaka with $51 million bid — NARITA, Japan (AP) -Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka was "relieved'' to hear the Boston Red Sox had won the bidding battle to negotiate a $51.1 million offer for him to play in the major leagues. — "I was very surprised when I heard …
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Sox win bidding war — $51.11M to talk to pitcher Matsuzaka — NAPLES, Fla. - The battle to spring Daisuke Matsuzaka free from Japan was won by the Red Sox last night for a cool 6 billion yen. — Now, they have until Dec. 15 to forge a long-term contract with super-agent Scott Boras on a rich …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals turn to Acta, naturally — One-time coach with franchise returns as manager — WASHINGTON — The Nationals formally named Manny Acta their manager during a news conference at the Washington Square Building on Tuesday afternoon. He will wear No. 14, the same number he wore …
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Incoming Acta Has Outgoing Style
Incoming Acta Has Outgoing Style
Discussion:
Washington Times, Capitol Punishment, MLB.com, District of Baseball and William F. Yurasko
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cubs bracing for busy off-season — NAPLES, Fla. - The Cubs, the most aggressive club at the general managers' meetings, are just getting started. — The team's ideal blueprint, according to new manager Lou Piniella, includes the addition of two more hitters and two starting pitchers.
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ESPN:
DeRosa cashes in on career year, to sign with Cubs — Mark DeRosa is poised to cash in on his career year. — The Chicago Cubs have reached an agreement on a three-year contract with DeRosa worth approximately $13 million, a team official familiar with the deal told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
Discussion:
MLB.com, CubsNet.com, St. Louis Cardinals Blog, Talking Chop, 1060west, GROTA, Chicago Cubs Blog and Cub Town
Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs want to put Soriano front and center — Had the Cubs failed to step up Sunday and meet Aramis Ramirez's demands, the Los Angeles Angels likely would have held a news conference today to introduce their new power-hitting third baseman with a seven-year, $100 million-plus contract.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Retain Father Figure and Ignore Father Time — The Mets are investing $12 million through 2008 in a pitcher many believe to be 41 years old. But for them, 40 is the new 30. With Tom Glavine still expected to be re-signed, the Mets locked up Orlando Hernández on Tuesday in a deal teetering between risky and creative.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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NY Daily News:
Mets appear bit gun-shy — Slow to overpay — NAPLES, Fla. - Although by virtue of their $38 million posting bid the Mets clearly viewed Daisuke Matsuzaka as a No. 1-type starter, they now appear prepared to go to Plan B for their rotation next year and that is "strength in numbers."
Associated Press:
Mets keep El Duque with two-year, $12M deal — NEW YORK — The New York Mets have so much confidence in 41-year-old Orlando Hernandez, they're ready to keep him for two more seasons. — Hernandez and the Mets agreed Tuesday to a $12 million, two-year contract, filling a spot in an aging …
Kevin Baxter / Miami Herald:
MLB's `highest priority' — With most stadium issues resolved, baseball president Bob DuPuy said: `We want to keep baseball in South Florida.' — NAPLES - With the Oakland Athletics having resolved their stadium situation by announcing plans Tuesday for a new ballpark in Northern California …
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Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Jennings, Rockies talk, weigh options — NAPLES, Fla. - The Rockies are reaching a crossroads in their relationship with right-handed pitcher Jason Jennings. — The Rockies have begun talks with Jennings' agent about a multiyear contract extension. If no progress is made …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Ed Sherman / Chicago Tribune:
Hall? Yeeesss! Well, maybe — Harrelson among those eligible for Frick consideration — Ken Harrelson isn't going to the Hall of Fame as a player, not with a .239 career batting average. But Harrelson could merit inclusion in Cooperstown as an announcer with a little help from his fans.
ESPN:
Giants pursuing NL hits leader Pierre … Here's the latest news from Jerry Crasnick at the GM meetings: — • The Phillies, looking to sign a pitcher from the second tier of free-agent starters, spoke with representatives for Adam Eaton on Tuesday in Naples.