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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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 …
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.
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
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Hot Stove Report: A Baby-Bear Market — Before he hooked arguably the biggest fish in the free-agent pond Sunday, Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry told reporters at last week's meetings in Naples, Fla., what was prompting his assertive plunge into free agency. — It wasn't just the Cubs' worst-in-the-league finish.
Discussion:
Redbird Ramblings
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 …
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
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:Cubs close to huge deal with Soriano
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, The Catbird …, Chicks Dig The Pitchers' Duel, Giants Win and Capitol Punishment
ESPN:
Howard beats out Pujols to win NL MVP award — Ryan Howard won the NL Rookie of the Year Award in his first season. He topped that in his second season by winning the MVP award. — After being named the top rookie in 2005, Howard elevated his performance to a new level in 2006.
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Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Howard's huge year nets him NL MVP — Phils slugger led Majors in homers, RBIs in first full season — PHILADELPHIA — The sheer force of Ryan Howard's gargantuan home runs cannot accurately be measured in speed or total distance, only by the gasps from those watching such a spectacle.
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Howard wins NL MVP award — NEW YORK (AP) — Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies was voted the National League's Most Valuable Player on Monday after leading the majors in home runs and RBIs, beating out the St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols for the honor.
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 …
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
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:Mets' Free-Agent Pursuits Await a Decision by Glavine
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:Dodgers closing in on Pierre; Roberts on move?
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
David Leonhardt / New York Times:He's a Star, a Free Agent and, Rarer Yet, Only 26
Discussion:
The Feeding the Monster Blog
Maury Brown / Baseball Prospectus:
The Ledger Domain — The Sale of the Cubs — Within the industry, the Cubs are something of a mystery. They are the happy residents ensconced within the game's great jewel, Wrigley Field; they are seen by millions via WGN; they have money to burn. For all that, they've had little to show for it since 1908.
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
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