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', Tribe Report, Lone Star Ball, 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 …
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
RELATED ITEMS:
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 …, Red Reporter, Bucs Dugout, MLB Trade Rumors, Cincinnati Reds, The Joy of Sox and Lone Star Ball
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.
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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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.
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
RELATED ITEMS:
Nathaniel Whalen / dailysouthtown.com:
Williams to free agents: It's getting old being used as leverage — Everyone knows White Sox general manager Ken Williams is not afraid to make bold moves. Those inside the baseball industry also know Williams will rarely ever confirm or deny a rumored deal.
RELATED ITEMS:
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.
Kevin T. Czerwinski / Minor League Baseball:
Yanks' farm system becoming hard to ignore — Hughes, Clippard lead a pack of talented pitching prospects … When discussing the idea that the Yankees are No. 1, the conversation usually centers around first place in the American League East or which team has the largest payroll.
Discussion:
Pending Pinstripes
Charlie / Bucs Dugout:
Trade the Relievers! — Yeah, I said this before, but in light of what's happened in the past week, it's worth saying again. — Cory has a good post up about this. The Bucs shouldn't view this wild free agent market as an excuse for self-pity. They don't really need what the free agent market has to offer anyway.
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.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres' Waller dropped after 19 years with team — Another longtime Padres employee is departing the organization. — First-base coach Tye Waller, who spent 19 years with the Padres, said he is seeking a job with another franchise after being told by manager Buddy Black he is being replaced.
