Top News:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
A relief effort: Theo talks to Houston in search of bullpen help — NAPLES, Fla. - The Red Sox met with the Houston Astros yesterday, and it was believed that obtaining relief help via a trade was high on their agenda. — Houston closer Brad Lidge, as well as relievers Brad Qualls and Dan Wheeler …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers interested in Zito, Thomas — NAPLES, Fla. - The Rangers' new approach to team building: If you can't beat 'em, steal 'em. — With pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka officially out of the picture and Mark DeRosa headed for the Chicago Cubs, the Rangers are turning their attention …
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 …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Top Bid for Matsuzaka Gives Boston a Jolt of Life — To longtime followers of the Boston Red Sox, there was a disconcerting vibe around Fenway Park by the end of last season. The fans showed up, but the team did nothing to inspire them. — "It was bad," said Jerry Remy, the Red Sox broadcaster and former second baseman.
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
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Jennings plays waiting game — Naples, Fla. - Jason Jennings has reached a critical juncture in his Rockies career. He's a free agent at season's end, and the team has offered him a two-year deal with a club option averaging approximately $7 million per season.
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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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."
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.
George King / New York Post:
MUSSINA RETURNS; MECHE ON RADAR — With Mike Mussina re-upping to fall in between ace Chien-Ming Wang and Randy Johnson, if he is healthy, the Yankees have shown an interest in Seattle free agent Gil Meche and are entertaining the possibility of using newly-acquired Humberto Sanchez in a trade for an established starter.
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ESPN:
Report: Yankees, Mussina agree on two-year deal — Mike Mussina and the New York Yankees have agreed to a two-year, $22.5 million contract extension, the New York Post reported, citing unnamed industry sources. — Mussina, 38, was 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA for the Yankees last season.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Mets acquire OF Ben Johnson from Padres — NAPLES, Fla. - The Mets added another outfielder to their left-field mix Wednesday, acquiring Ben Johnson and right-hander Jon Adkins from the Padres for right-hander Heath Bell and left-hander Royce Ring, FOXSports.com has learned.
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David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
METS ACQUIRE OUTFIELDER BEN JOHNSON & RHP JON ADKINS FROM SAN DIEGO — Here's the team's official release: — The New York Mets today acquired outfielder Ben Johnson and righthanded relief pitcher from the San Diego Padres in exchange for righthanded relief pitcher Heath Bell and lefthanded relief pitcher Royce Ring.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Associated Press:
Blanco re-signs with Cubs — Tickets on sale in February — The Cubs agreed to a two-year contract Wednesday with backup catcher Henry Blanco. — There is a mutual option for 2009. — Blanco batted .266 in 74 games last season. He served as a backup to Michael Barrett and filled …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Out of left field, Soriano calls Acta — New manager already plotting Nationals' 2007 roster — WASHINGTON — After Manny Acta was informed last week that he would be named the new manager of the Nationals, among the first congratulatory calls he received was from left fielder Alfonso Soriano …
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
MLB vows help with ballpark — NAPLES — With the Oakland Athletics set to build a ballpark in Fremont, Calif., Major League Baseball plans to concentrate on helping the Marlins get a new ballpark. — "We want to keep baseball in South Florida," Bob DuPuy, the league's president and chief operating officer, said Tuesday.
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David Nakamura / Washington Post:
Fenty Scores Early Legislative Victory As Stadium Parking Plan Is Approved — The D.C. Council approved a plan yesterday to build parking garages next to the new baseball stadium in Southeast, resolving a months-long deadlock with the Washington Nationals and putting the ballpark on track to open in 2008.
Bill Plaschke / Los Angeles Times:
Contrite Beimel wants to mend shattered hearts — Any day now, the tattoo will be carefully needled into his upper right arm. — Don't tell Joe Beimel he's crazy, because he's not changing his mind. Of all the strange things that have happened to him in the last couple of months, nothing makes more sense.
