Top News:
Nick Cafardo / Extra Bases:
Gonzalez in demand — Former Red Sox shortstop Alex Gonzalez has received a three-year $15 million deal from an undisclosed team. — Major League sources indicate that the team could be either the Chicago White Sox, who are looking for an alternative to Juan Uribe, or the Cincinnati Reds.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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Paul Hagen / Philadelphia Daily News:
Phils set to add 3B Helms — NAPLES, Fla. - The Phillies are about to sign a free agent... A righthanded hitter... And, no, it's not Alfonso Soriano. — General manager Pat Gillick said last night at the annual GM meetings that the Phillies are "absolutely" close to finalizing …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
ESPN:
Santana unanimous choice for AL Cy Young Award — Minnesota Twins left-hander Johan Santana has been voted the AL Cy Young award winner, the Baseball Writers Association of America announced Thursday. — Santana was a unanimous choice for the award — the second time in three years he has won by a unanimous vote.
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Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Wang the runner-up in Cy Young vote — Yankees ace a distant second to unanimous winner Santana — NEW YORK — Chien-Ming Wang's breakout season may have earned him the title of the Yankees' ace, but it wasn't enough to overcome Minnesota's Johan Santana in the American League Cy Young Award vote.
Associated Press:
A's set to name bench coach Geren new manager — OAKLAND, Calif. — Bob Geren will be promoted from bench coach to manager of the Oakland Athletics, according to a high-ranking baseball official. — The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the team won't introduce Geren …
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John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
Sources: Geren to be named A's manager — (11-16) 17:16 PST — The A's will announce as early as Friday that Bob Geren will be their new manager, major-league sources told The Chronicle. Geren has been on the A's staff for four years, serving as bullpen coach three years before moving to bench coach in 2006.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
2007 schedule features baseball's best — Cardinals, Yankees, Twins highlight impressive slate of games — The teams that played the final National League game in 2006 will play the first game in the National League in 2007. The Mets are to begin their 46th season in St. Louis against the Cardinals …
Discussion:
Chicks Dig The Pitchers' Duel
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Associated Press:
Cards get record-high Series shares — NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals cashed in at the World Series, earning more money than any other team in history. — St. Louis split $20.02 million for beating the Detroit Tigers. A full share of that was worth $362,173, the commissioner's office said Thursday.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Is Glavine returning to Atlanta? — NAPLES, Fla. - The longer Tom Glavine delays his decision about returning to the Mets, one National League general manager speculated Thursday, the better the chances that he will rejoin the Braves. — Glavine, 40, will become a free agent at midnight Monday …
Discussion:
Hot Foot
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
GM notes: Proctor to prep as possible starter for Yanks — NAPLES, Fla. — With their starting rotation their greatest uncertainty, the Yankees likely will tell Scott Proctor — a pleasant surprise as a reliever in 2006 — to plan for next season as though he will be a starter.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
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Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
A's interest in Bonds heightens — Budget-conscious Oakland keeps talking to slugger's agent — CHICAGO — The Oakland A's have emerged as a possible new home for Barry Bonds, although the stars must be perfectly aligned for that to happen, said Lewis Wolff, the team's managing partner.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Thanks to humidor, baseball's climate may change — NAPLES, Fla. - San Diego Padres general manager Kevin Towers used to avoid watching his team play at Coors Field. — "It's one of the most beautiful ballparks there is, even the upper deck, where you look out at the mountains, but the games were ugly," Towers said.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Brian McTaggart / Houston Chronicle:
Astros offer deals to Lee, Soriano — NAPLES, Fla. - Promising to be aggressive in their pursuit of free agents in the offseason, the Astros have made contract offers to the top two sluggers on the market - outfielders Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee. — The Astros, who ranked …
Associated Press:
Baseball owners approve new TV pacts with Fox, TBS — CHICAGO — Major League Baseball owners on Thursday unanimously approved television contracts with Fox and TBS that run through 2013 and are worth more than $3 billion. — Under the deals, which begin next season, the World Series …
Steven R. Strahler / Chicago Business:
Local dealmakers assembling bids for Cubs — (Crain's) — Some of Chicago's top dealmakers are readying buyout offers for the Chicago Cubs in anticipation that the team will become available as a result of a takeover or breakup of its owner, Tribune Co. — At least two local businessmen …
