Top News:
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Rangers explore options — NAPLES, Fla. — The Rangers' group at this week's general managers' meetings has focused primarily on improving the starting rotation and finding a center fielder, but they have also worked on adding a power bat. Nothing is close, however.
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Big money an even bigger concern — Hicks says offseason shaping up as 'stupid market' — ARLINGTON — The Rangers thought that a $27 million bid for Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka would be good enough to win his negotiating rights. — Instead, it turns out they weren't even close.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Denver Post:
Clubs kick Jennings' tires — Naples, Fla. - The resort trail bridge made from recycled milk cartons dead-ends at Clam Pass Park. Visitors sink their feet into the white powdery sand and watch the sun shimmer over the Gulf of Mexico. — They enjoy the view, possibilities limited only by the imagination.
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.
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Leyland is honored; Girardi, too — NAPLES, Fla. - The Managers of the Year were announced Wednesday, and they couldn't be in more different places. — Detroit manager Jim Leyland, whose team advanced to the World Series, was named American League Manager of the Year.
Sun-Sentinel:
Phillies have big plans for Helms — · The drawback of an affordable free agent outperforming his contract with the Marlins is getting him to sign another. — Wes Helms is going from last season's $800,000 utility infielder to next season's multi-million dollar pseudo-starting third baseman for the Phillies.
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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.
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 …
Todd Zolecki / Philadelphia Inquirer:
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 …
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Milledge on way out? — Omar could be ready to deal the outfielder, but his stock is down — NAPLES, Fla. — The Mets picked up another young outfielder yesterday, acquiring 25-year-old Ben Johnson, along with righthanded reliever Jon Adkins, from the Padres, in return for relievers Heath Bell and Royce Ring.
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Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:Mets acquire Adkins, Johnson from Padres for Bell, Ring
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Now we're talkin' — Sox focused on present again — If you are a Red Sox fan, there is much to like about the team's aggressive pursuit of Japanese righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka. The Sox ponied up $51.1 million Tuesday to earn exclusive rights to negotiate with the 26-year-old hurler.
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:Silence golden for D-Mat — Hush-hush talks may hit $16M
Discussion:
The Sports Frog
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 …
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Ex-Tiger Walker to join O's bullpen … NAPLES, FLA. // The Orioles' front office entered the general managers meetings vowing to be aggressive to fill their needs. That strategy secured one addition to a beleaguered bullpen yesterday and has the Orioles in the running for several others.
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
O's agree to deal with reliever Walker … NAPLES, FLA. // The Orioles have agreed in principle to a three-year deal with Detroit Tigers left-handed reliever Jamie Walker, according to two club sources. — The contract will pay Walker, arguably the best left-handed reliever on the free agent market …
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
O'Dowd aims to stick to plan — NAPLES, Fla. - The Rockies are headed into the fourth year of their rebuilding plan. — General manager Dan O'Dowd is headed into the final year of his contract. — O'Dowd isn't looking for any shortcuts now. — "I feel very clear and confident …
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
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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.
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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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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.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …, Bucs Dugout, Athletics Nation, Bluebird Banter, Fox Sports and Hot Foot
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
PHILLIES COVET SORIANO 'BADLY' — CONFIDENTIAL — NAPLES, Fla. - The Phillies and Cubs were portrayed as the front-runners for free agent Alfonso Soriano by several executives at the GM Meetings. The Dodgers and Angels are believed to be very interested in Soriano, as well.
