Top News:
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:
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.
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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.
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:Mets acquire Adkins, Johnson from Padres for Bell, Ring
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
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.
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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.
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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Bob Ryan / Boston Globe:
Dollars and hopes sky-high already — Start with this: Investing in a pitcher is like putting your hard-earned money into a Broadway show. — With that in mind, the Red Sox now hope that Daisuke Matsuzaka turns out to be "My Fair Lady" and not "Capeman."
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:Silence golden for D-Mat — Hush-hush talks may hit $16M
Discussion:
The Sports Frog
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.
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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 …
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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Chicago Tribune:
Cubs, Sox swap pitchers — The Cubs and White Sox swapped relief pitchers Thursday, with the Sox acquiring right-handed pitcher David Aardsma and left-hander Carlos Vasquez in exchange for left-handed pitcher Neal Cotts. — Aardsma, 24, made 45 relief appearances over four stints with the Cubs in 2006 …
David Lennon / Newsday:
A-Rod: I love NY — But superstar says he's keeping his escape clause — When Alex Rodriguez hugged Gary Sheffield yesterday outside of Jay-Z's 40-40 club, it was impossible to tell if the Yankees' third baseman was envious of his former teammate. Sheffield strong-armed his exit …
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
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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, Fox Sports, Bluebird Banter and Hot Foot
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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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Dawn Klemish / MLB.com:
Rays win rights to ink Japanese slugger — Club the top bidder in quest to land talented third baseman — ST. PETERSBURG — It's always good to have options. And after winning the rights to negotiate with Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura on Wednesday, the Devil Rays have added just that.
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.
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.
