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 …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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.
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 …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:Top Bid for Matsuzaka Gives Boston a Jolt of Life
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
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
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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.
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."
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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Paul Hoynes / PD Sports:
D-Rays win rights to Iwamura — News, notes and quotes from the general managers meetings at the Naples Grande Resort and club. — * It appears Tampa Bay has won the bidding right for Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura. The Devil Rays reportedly outbid the Indians, San Diego and Boston for the left-handed hitter.
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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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 …
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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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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Associated Press:
D-Backs' Webb wins wide-open NL Cy Young race — NEW YORK — Brandon Webb of the Arizona Diamondbacks won a wide-open race for the NL Cy Young Award, beating out San Diego closer Trevor Hoffman on Tuesday. — One of six pitchers who tied for the league lead with a pedestrian total of 16 wins …
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Scott Miller / CBS SportsLine.com:Webb's Cy Young an example of reliever bias
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
MLB.com:
Scully chats with Dodgers fans — Vin Scully, the legendary broadcaster for the Los Angeles Dodgers, participated in a live chat on Nov. 14. The Hall of Famer spoke about the highlights of his career, Dodgers players, his most memorable ballplayer, and the move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
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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.
