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
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.
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Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Report: Jays nearing deal with Thomas — Sources indicate veteran slugger could ink two-year deal — The Blue Jays may be on the verge of adding another powerful bat to its lineup. According to ESPN.com, Toronto is nearing a multi-year deal with free-agent slugger Frank Thomas that could be worth between $20 million-$30 million.
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.
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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Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Mets acquire Adkins, Johnson from Padres for Bell, Ring — NEW YORK (AP) — The Padres and Mets swapped four role players Wednesday, with San Diego sending relief pitcher Jon Adkins and reserve outfielder Ben Johnson to New York for relievers Heath Bell and Royce Ring in a deal between NL division winners.
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:Mets acquire OF Ben Johnson from Padres
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, The Eddie Kranepool Society, MLB Trade Rumors, It's Outta Here! and Mike's Mets
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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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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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.
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.
