Top News:
Associated Press:
Mets close to signing free agent Alou — NEW YORK — The New York Mets were close to an agreement Saturday on a one-year contract with Moises Alou, who would replace oft-injured left fielder Cliff Floyd. — The deal, worth about $8 million to $9 million, would contain an option for 2009.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Mets discussing two-year contract for Alou — The Mets are discussing a two-year contract with free-agent outfielder Moises Alou, FOXSports.com has learned, a deal that would add another older veteran to the team's roster and increase the possibility that outfielder Lastings Milledge would be traded.
Sports Illustrated:
Mets getting close to signing Alou — NEW YORK (SI.com) — The New York Mets are closing in a deal to sign free agent outfielder Moises Alou, SI.com has learned. It is believed the deal could be for one year plus an option. — An announcement could come early next week, after the physical.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets 'close' to signing Alou — After a busy week at the GM meetings, the Mets are "close" to signing Moises Alou to fill their hole in left field, a person familiar with the negotiations said Saturday. The deal could be announced as soon as this week, and it is believed to be a two-year contract worth more than $8 million annually.
Discussion:
Tales Of A Transplanted …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yankees Begin Retreat From Winning at All Costs — Consider, for a moment, the case of Ted Lilly, a free-agent pitcher from the Toronto Blue Jays. — He is 30 years old, left-handed and won 15 games last season for the team that finished second to the Yankees in the American League East.
Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
When Being Medium Is No Mean Feat — It is baseball's award season, with headlines and hardware bestowed upon each league's best rookie, pitcher and what-not. Tomorrow and Tuesday will bring the ever-anticipated Most Valuable Player awards, the season's ultimate prizes …
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Managing Jobs: Recycling Seems Color Coded — With the managerial hiring season completed, Major League Baseball's scorecard on minority hiring will not win it any awards. — Three members of minorities, two Hispanics and one black, were hired for the 2007 season after three minority managers …
ESPN:
Gonzalez, Reds agree to three-year, $14 million deal — ESPN's Peter Gammons is reporting that free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez has negotiated a three-year, $14 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds, pending a physical. — Gonzalez, a slick-fielding shortstop who replaced Edgar Renteria in Boston …
Discussion:
Red Reporter, A Red Sox Fan …, Bucs Dugout, MLB Trade Rumors, Cincinnati Reds, The Joy of Sox and Lone Star Ball
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Marc Lancaster / Cincinnati Post:
Reds sit out initial flurry of deal-making — Wayne Krivsky returned from the general managers' meetings empty-handed, but he did plenty of browsing. — "I've kicked tires all over the place," Krivsky said Friday. "I've got a sore toe." — Since the Reds insist upon playing everything …
NY Daily News:
The Barry next thing — With Glavine iffy, Mets zoom in on Zito — The very real possibility of Tom Glavine going back home to Atlanta to finish his Hall of Fame career with the Braves has got the Mets in full pursuit of Barry Zito. And while they continue to take a public stance of hoping …
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Hot-stove buzz: Arizona Fall League concludes — Royals outfielder Mitch Maier closed a strong performance in the Arizona Fall League on a sour note Saturday by going zero for four for the Grand Canyon Rafters in a 6-2 loss to the Phoenix Desert Dogs in the championship game.
Denver Post:
Small payroll? It's a financial reality — Naples, Fla. - Baseball and business intersected violently Tuesday when the Red Sox landed negotiating rights to Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. — They bid $51 million. The Rockies' projected on-field payroll next season will be approximately $52 million.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Smizik: Pirates' fans find offseason depressing — There are bits and pieces of baseball in the newspaper every day, and almost all are nothing but downright discouraging and disheartening to the ever-shrinking band of black-and-gold bleeders who believe the Pirates' day will come.
Marcus Hayes / Philly.com:
Helms chooses Phils over Yanks' richer offer — Maybe Philadelphia isn't as gritty as New York. Maybe Citizens Bank Park doesn't have the dank, congested charm of Yankee Stadium. Maybe the Delaware Valley isn't as cosmopolitan as the Metro area. — That suits Wes Helms just fine.
Angel Bucks / MLB.com:
Angels name Mike Butcher pitching coach — Butcher signs contract for 2007 season with club option for 2008 — ANAHEIM, CA — The Angels Saturday named Mike Butcher as Major League pitching coach, replacing Bud Black who was hired as the San Diego Padres Manager on November 9th.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Eric Justic / MLB.com:
Abreu finishes strong in the desert — First baseman ends AFL season on eight-game hitting streak — Michel Abreu probably doesn't want his Arizona Fall League season to end. — The 27-year-old first baseman put together an eight-game hitting streak and drove in at least one run in each …
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Hot Foot
