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.
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Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Free agents will notice — Tribune Co., GM Hendry step up to the plate in a big way — Mark Cuban? — Who needs him? — After 25 years of staid, responsible stewardship, Tribune Co. is getting its groove on in regard to its baseball team. — That is, it is finally spending money …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
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, 1060west, CubsNet.com, 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 …
Marcus Hayes / Philly.com:
Howard hoping to party again today — ON THE DAY that Philadelphia lost its No. 1 athlete, a possible successor turned 27. — With Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb gone for the season with a knee injury, with Sixers guard Allen Iverson's star sagging, with the Flyers' Peter Forsberg …
Discussion:
NY Mets Blog
ESPN:Report: Cubs agree to $136M deal with Soriano
Discussion:
Associated Press, Halo Herald, GROTA, Deadspin, Baseball Analysts, Royals Review, The Detroit Tiger Weblog, 1060west, Baseball Musings, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, MiracleMets.net, Bucco Blog, Lookout Landing, Go Crazy, Folks!, The Cub Reporter, The View From The Bleachers, Bucs Dugout, Lone Star Ball, The Beltway Boys, Talksox, Can't Stop The Bleeding, Fox Sports, Batter's Box Interactive …, Where have you gone … and True Blue LA
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.
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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 …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Garciaparra returns to Dodgers — Veteran agrees to two-year contract with Los Angeles — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers on Monday will announce the re-signing of National League Comeback Player of the Year Nomar Garciaparra to a two-year contract. — Already looking for one power hitter …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Rangers, Catalanotto agree to 3-year, $13 million deal — ARLINGTON, Texas — Free-agent outfielder Frank Catalanotto has agreed to a three-year, $13 million deal to return to the Texas Rangers after playing the last four seasons for the Toronto Blue Jays. — The deal includes a team option …
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
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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 …
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
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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
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners may join Igawa sweepstakes today — The official first day of posting for Japanese left-handed pitcher Kei Igawa is today, and the Mariners could be among those bidding. — General manager Bill Bavasi won't say one way or another, but club sources indicate Seattle is leaning toward getting …
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David Leonhardt / New York Times:He's a Star, a Free Agent and, Rarer Yet, Only 26
Discussion:
The Feeding the Monster Blog
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals to move on without Soriano — Free-agent outfielder agrees to eight-year contract with Cubs — WASHINGTON — Left fielder Alfonso Soriano often talked about how much he wanted to stay with the Nationals because of the friendships he made and how comfortable he was in Washington, but his future now will be in Chicago.
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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 …
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?
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
