Top News:
Toni Ginnetti / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs coup, Cubs coup — Hendry lands top free agent as Soriano agrees in principle to 8-year, $136M deal — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has reeled in the biggest fish in baseball's free-agent pond at an unprecedented total price tag for the franchise.
RELATED ITEMS:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs open wallet for Soriano — Cubs yank power-hitting Soriano off market with a $136 million contract — The Cubs did their best imitation of the New York Yankees on Sunday, making free-agent outfielder Alfonso Soriano an offer he couldn't refuse. — Soriano, the biggest name on the market …
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter, Bleed Cubbie Blue, The Crawfish Boxes, CubsNet.com, 1060west, Just A Nats Fan and Lone Star Ball
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Deal for Soriano Signals New Ownership for Cubs — News reports in recent weeks have indicated that the Tribune Company may sell its newspapers and its baseball team. A deal the Cubs have concluded with a free agent lends credence to that likelihood. If Tribune intended to hold onto the Chicago Cubs …
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels land Speier in $18-million deal — Veteran right-hander was 2-0 with a 2.98 earned-run average in 58 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last season, limiting opponents to a .235 average. — The Angels swung and missed again in an effort to bolster their offense, but they made solid contact Sunday …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs close to huge deal with Soriano — Contract reported to be eight years, $135 million for free agent — CHICAGO — The Cubs appear to have landed one of the biggest free-agent names on the market, reportedly signing outfielder Alfonso Soriano to an eight-year, $135 million contract.
ESPN:
Report: Cubs agree to $136M deal with Soriano … CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs' ownership is showing new manager Lou Piniella that they are serious about winning. — Chicago radio station ESPN 1000 reported Sunday that the Cubs have agreed to an eight-year contract worth approximately $136 million with outfielder Alfonso Soriano.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Baseball Analysts, Deadspin, GROTA, Royals Review, The Detroit Tiger Weblog, Baseball Musings, 1060west, MiracleMets.net, Lookout Landing, Bucco Blog, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, Go Crazy, Folks!, The Cub Reporter, Lone Star Ball, Bucs Dugout, The View From The Bleachers, The Beltway Boys, Can't Stop The Bleeding, Talksox, Batter's Box Interactive …, True Blue LA, Where have you gone …, Phillies Nation, Cub Town and Bless You Boys
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cubs now likely to pursue pitching help — Quick thoughts on the Cubs' signing of free-agent outfielder Alfonso Soriano to a contract expected to be in the eight-year, $135 million range: — The Cubs aren't done. — They've upgraded the offense by adding Soriano and second baseman Mark DeRosa …
NY Daily News:
Mets, Glavine face freedom deadline — Tom Glavine will get the chance to talk contract with the Braves as a free agent as early as today, when the Mets must announce their expected decision to decline his $14 million contract option before midnight tonight.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
RELATED ITEMS:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets' Free-Agent Pursuits Await a Decision by Glavine — True to form, the Mets have worked swiftly so far this off-season. They have locked in on a player, nabbed him with a hefty contract and then crossed that need off their list. But with Tom Glavine, the Mets have little control.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Associated Press:
Dodgers to bring back Garciaparra for two more years — LOS ANGELES — Nomar Garciaparra is staying with the Los Angeles Dodgers, agreeing to a two-year contract. — The deal with the All-Star first baseman will be formally announced Monday, Dodgers spokesman Joe Jareck said Sunday night.
RELATED ITEMS:
Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers glad to have Garciaparra in the fold — The 33-year-old gets a two-year deal for $18 million after L.A. refuses to match Cubs' offer to Soriano of $136 million for eight years. — Not that Nomar Garciaparra was plucked off the bargain rack, but the Dodgers felt fortunate to finish up a two-year …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers bring back Catalanotto — Pending a physical, Frank Catalanotto will return to the Rangers after a four-year absence. — Catalanotto, 32, has agreed to a three-year deal with a club option for a fourth year, two baseball sources said Sunday. The only thing standing in the way is a physical …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED ITEMS:
Mark Healey / Gotham Baseball:
Going Nine: The Road to Orlando — The recently concluded GM meetings were more active than in recent years, and the results are just starting to resonate throughout baseball. — It was a time to talk business amongst adversaries before the more-attention getting Winter Meetings …
Joe Kay / Associated Press:
Reds reach tentative agreement with Stanton — CINCINNATI (AP) — Left-handed reliever Mike Stanton has reached a tentative, two-year agreement with the Cincinnati Reds, a person familiar with the discussions said on Sunday. — Stanton, 39, played for Washington and San Francisco last season …
Discussion:
Metsquire
George King / New York Post:
TROPHY LIFE — JETER COVETS FIRST MVP AWARD — The man who has almost everything could have it all by tomorrow, when the American League Most Valuable Player is announced. — What more could a baseball player want than Derek Jeter has? How about four World Series rings?
