Top News:
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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Always Amazin', Lone Star Ball, Tribe Report, MetsBlog.com and Hot Foot
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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.
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 …
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:
A Red Sox Fan …, Bucs Dugout, MLB Trade Rumors, Cincinnati Reds, Red Reporter, The Joy of Sox and Lone Star Ball
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 …
Discussion:
Hot Foot
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Tim Leonard / MLB.com:
Edwards' education continues — A look at how Angels prospects are faring in winter ball — Bill Edwards didn't start a game for Double-A Arkansas, but he did wind up with a lot of decisions in relief. The right-hander finished 8-7 with four saves and a robust 5.71 ERA.
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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Angel Bucks / MLB.com:
Angels pick Butcher as pitching coach — Veteran baseball man familiar with Halos organization — After losing their pitching coach of seven years when Bud Black was hired as manager of the Padres, the Angels made it clear Saturday they wanted somebody with a profound knowledge of the organization's pitchers.
Discussion:
DRays Bay
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.
Discussion:
Honest Wagner
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
White Sox close to dealing Garland — The White Sox are close to trading right-hander Jon Garland, according to a rival executive, and the Rangers appear to be the most logical fit. — The Rangers pursued Garland at the general managers' meetings in Naples, Fla., and White Sox G.M. Ken Williams …
Jim Reeves / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Rangers misread system's insanity — No need for any "aw shucks" foot-shuffling or red faces out at the corner of Ballpark Way and Randol Mill Road. No apologies necessary. — They stepped to the plate and took a swing at reputedly the best pitcher on the market this winter.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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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.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
GM Williams up in arms — Williams fired up over 'misleading' report that Sox are set to deal for Angels' Santana — White Sox general manager Ken Williams emphasized pitching and defense Friday as areas in need of improvement for the White Sox this off-season.
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Nathaniel Whalen / dailysouthtown.com: Williams to free agents: It's getting old being used as leverage
Charles Hack / New Jersey Online:
Cops: L.A. farmhand charged with crack — UNION CITY - A minor league baseball player who had been suspended for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs was in trouble again Thursday after Union City cops caught him with 130 bags of crack cocaine, reports said.
StatsGuru / Baseball Musings:
Probabilistic Model of Range, 2006 — The other day I published the first of the Probabilistic Model of Range tables, looking at overall team play. However, since doing that I noticed something didn't add up. When I looked at individual fielders, I was getting very strange results.
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
Garciaparra deal isn't settled yet — Dodgers still working on it as Mueller decides to retire and club expresses interest in Soriano. — Bill Mueller could serve as a cautionary tale to the Dodgers about the perils of signing a player with a history of injuries.
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Glavine, Zito on Omar list — Omar Minaya returned from the GM meetings in Florida with several smaller items scratched off his winter to-do list. He now can focus on making decisions about the bigger names on the Mets' radar, including free agent Barry Zito and waffling incumbent Tom Glavine.
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