Top News:
Jim Allen / ESPN:
Boston's bid is the talk of Japan — TOKYO — This went well beyond a sports story. — The news that a major league team would pay $51.1 million to acquire the negotiating rights to a Japanese player shook the nation on Wednesday. — Daisuke Matsuzaka, his team and the Japanese public …
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Jim Armstrong / Associated Press:
Matsuzaka 'surprised' at Red Sox bid — NARITA, Japan —Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka was "surprised" to hear the Boston Red Sox bid $51.1 million for the rights to negotiate a contract with him. — "I was very surprised when I heard the figure," the 26-year-old said Wednesday before flying to the United States.
Discussion:
Basegirl
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.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, The Eddie Kranepool Society, MLB Trade Rumors, It's Outta Here! and Mike's Mets
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Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:Mets acquire Adkins, Johnson from Padres for Bell, Ring
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Phillies front-runners for free-agent Helms — NAPLES, Fla. — The Phillies have emerged as the clear front-runner for free-agent infielder Wes Helms, though other teams remain in the mix, FOXSports.com has learned. — Helms, 30, is strongly considering the Phillies' offer of an everyday job …
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MLB.com:
Glendale, Arizona announces partnership with two world-champion baseball teams — GLENDALE, Ariz. — With the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the Glendale City Council today, the city of Glendale formally announced a partnership to bring the Los Angeles Dodgers …
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Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
White Sox closer to new spring home — Proposed stadium in Glendale, Ariz., would also host Dodgers — The White Sox took a huge step toward moving the team's Spring Training home to the Phoenix area on Wednesday. — One day after news broke that the White Sox were considering joining …
Associated Press:
Poker face: A-Rod says he wants to stay — NEW YORK (AP) - Alex Rodriguez wants to play the hand he's got with the Yankees. — Arriving at his charity poker tournament Wednesday night, the much-maligned slugger insisted he wants to stay in New York rather than be traded to a town where the fans might not be so hard on him.
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Rodriguez Says He's Committed to Yankees — Alex Rodriguez spotted Gary Sheffield on a red carpet in Chelsea last night and wrapped him in a bear hug. — "Congratulations," Rodriguez told Sheffield. "I'm happy for you." — Sheffield left the Yankees last Friday when he was traded …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
O's close to snagging Walker from Tigers — The Orioles are close to signing Jamie Walker, perhaps the top left-handed reliever on the free-agent market, FOXSports.com has learned. — The three-year deal, expected to be worth at least $10 million, would be a blow to the American League champion Tigers …
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Padres interested in signing Bonds — All those who thought the Giants would be the only suitor for Barry Bonds, think again. — Specifically, think about Bonds hitting the 22 home runs he needs to break Hank Aaron's all-time record in a Padres' uniform.
Associated Press:
Devil Rays obtain negotiating rights to Iwamura for $4.5 million — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays won the negotiating rights to Japanese star infielder Akinori Iwamura on Wednesday, submitting a winning bid of about $4.5 million for the power hitter.
Discussion:
Powered
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Sources: Blue Jays closing in on deal with Thomas … NAPLES, Fla. — The Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on a deal with free agent designated hitter Frank Thomas, two sources at the general managers' meetings told ESPN.com. — Thomas, 38, batted .270 with 39 homers and 114 RBI last season for the Oakland Athletics.
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins' surge nets Girardi award — Club's second Manager of the Year adds to offseason haul — MIAMI — Determination and drive were two traits Joe Girardi exhibited while managing the Florida Marlins in 2006. — Undaunted by taking over the youngest and cheapest team in the Major Leagues …
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Leyland named top AL manager — Skipper led Detroit to first playoff appearance since 1987 — DETROIT — Tigers manager Jim Leyland couldn't hold off Twins counterpart Ron Gardenhire in the American League Central standings. The AL Manager of the Year voting had a happier ending for him.
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.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Devil Rays could move young outfielders — NAPLES, Fla. - Notes from the general managers' meetings: — Judging from their aggressiveness in trade talks, the Devil Rays appear increasingly willing to trade one of their young outfielders — most likely Rocco Baldelli — for premium young pitching.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Soriano is a prime commodity … NAPLES, Fla. — Baseball executives might want to clear out of the Naples Grande Resort soon, in hopes that some fresh air and a change of scenery will prompt them to think twice about all that money they're on track to spend.
