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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Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Red Sox win Matsuzaka bid — Winning bid to negotiate with Japanese star is $51.1 million — NAPLES, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox have won the U.S. rights to negotiate with star Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Seibu Lions and it could cost them plenty.
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:
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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Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Phils close to deal with Helms — Veteran would be guaranteed $5.5 million over two years — PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies are close to signing free agent Wes Helms to a two-year contract, making the veteran the favorite to become the team's starting third baseman.
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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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.
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:
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.
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Bonds may leave Giants after 14 years, agent says … NAPLES, Fla. — As the agent for Barry Bonds sizes up the market for the No. 2 home-run hitter in history, the prospect of Bonds leaving San Francisco for another city is growing less unthinkable by the day.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Center-field job still open — NAPLES — The Marlins need a center fielder. For a moment, Dan Jennings thought he had found one. — It was a news photographer who impressed Jennings late Tuesday by sprinting across the lobby of the Naples Grande Resort in time to snap away at the arrival of agent Scott Boras.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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USA Today:
INSIDE PITCH — Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest said the team will go into the annual GM meetings focusing on their two biggest needs — center field and the bullpen. But the question remains whether those goals will come with a cost — trading left-hander Dontelle Willis.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Third stint for Stanton? — Veteran reliever open for return to Washington — WASHINGTON — New manager Manny Acta said on Tuesday that he would like to have at least two lefties in the bullpen in 2007, and free-agent reliever Mike Stanton said on Wednesday night that he is willing …
Discussion:
William F. Yurasko
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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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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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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 …
