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 …
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:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Baseball's mad new world — NAPLES, Fla. - To neatly summarize baseball's new era: The Boston Red Sox are willing to pay $51.1 million merely for the right to negotiate with Scott Boras. — Such talks have, in the past, made fools of rich men, turned dark hair gray and sent systolic and diastolic pressures to unhealthy levels.
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
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.
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."
Discussion:
Tales Of A Transplanted …
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.
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.
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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.
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
Girardi Says Broadcasting Is Best for Now — Joe Girardi will be thinking like a manager next season, but he does not expect to be managing, although he was hired by the Yankees' YES Network to announce about 65 games. Girardi, a former Yankees catcher and coach who was fired as the Florida manager …
Discussion:
The Griddle
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:Incoming Acta Has Outgoing Style
Discussion:
MLB.com, Washington Times, Capitol Punishment, District of Baseball and William F. Yurasko
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.
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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.
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.
Todd Zolecki / Philly.com:
Phillies changing broadcast lineup? — The team may be close to a new deal with Harry Kalas. Scott Graham is unlikely to return. — The Phillies' front office is in Florida this week, setting the stage for what it hopes is a productive off-season. — But while Pat Gillick and Co. try …
Discussion:
I've Made a Huge Tiny Mistake
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.
