Top News:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Manny might be a bargain at $17M — NAPLES, Fla. - The chances of the Red Sox making another offseason blockbuster move - trading Manny Ramirez, in particular - remain slim, but they did increase at the general managers meetings, which concluded yesterday. — GMs are realizing there is a lot …
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
RELATED ITEMS:
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
Paul Hagen / Philly.com:
Phillies pitch to Soriano — Waiting for response after informing free agent of interest — NAPLES, Fla. - Talk is cheap. Signing free agents isn't. — And somewhere in the middle is where the Phillies find themselves after meeting with free-agent outfielder Alfonso Soriano at a hotel near …
Discussion:
Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
RELATED ITEMS:
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 …
Sun-Sentinel:
Astros reluctant to deal coveted CF Taveras — · Early indications are the Marlins will have a hard time prying Willy Taveras away from the Astros. — One of the Marlins' top trade targets to fill their void in center field, Taveras also has the admiration of his employer.
RELATED ITEMS:
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins release 2007 spring schedule — Florida opens Grapefruit League play on Feb. 28 vs. Baltimore — NAPLES, Fla. — Spring Training may be a few months away, but the Marlins' Grapefruit League schedule already is in place. — The team on Thursday unveiled a 34-game Spring Training schedule …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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 …
RELATED ITEMS:
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
MLB.com:
Washington Nationals Baseball Club opens two additional retail outlets — Official team stores set to open in North Bethesda and Downtown Washington in time for the holiday shopping season — The Washington Nationals today announced that the franchise will open two additional retail stores …
RELATED ITEMS:
Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
Acta is the antithesis of Robinson … A Washington Nationals player was late to the ballpark for a game last summer. When he finally showed up in the dugout in the fourth inning, he didn't even tell manager Frank Robinson that he had arrived. Why? Because he was afraid of what Robinson might say or do.
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 …
RELATED ITEMS:
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.
Discussion:
MLB.com, 6-4-2, Talksox, BBTF's Baseball Primer …, Nick & Nick's Twins Blog and Baseball Musings
RELATED ITEMS:
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
RELATED ITEMS:
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
RELATED ITEMS:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Smart money on Yanks, Mets — Cash, Omar showing some fiscal restraint — NAPLES, Fla. — The Mets left first yesterday, with Omar Minaya joined by his closest advisers, Tony Bernazard, Sandy Johnson and John Ricco. Brian Cashman spent a few more hours at the Naples Grande Resort …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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 …
Jim Salisbury / Philly.com:
Phillies land Helms, expect him to play third — He will get a $6 million, two-year deal. Officials are expected to talk with Soriano's agents today. — NAPLES, Fla. - The Phillies have landed a free agent who produced impressive offensive numbers in 2006.
Discussion:
Blogging Baseball
RELATED ITEMS:
Paul Hagen / Philadelphia Daily News:Phils set to add 3B Helms
Discussion:
Fire Brand of the …, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, MLB Trade Rumors, Yanksfan vs Soxfan and The Joy of Sox
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
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 …
