Top News:
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 …
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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.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Dodgers closing in on Pierre; Roberts on move? — The Dodgers are close to signing free-agent center fielder Juan Pierre, possibly paving the way for free-agent outfielder Dave Roberts to sign with the Giants, Brewers or Rangers, FOXSports.com has learned. — The Orioles are on the fringes …
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 …
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
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.
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 …
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.
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Free agent comings and goings — Bagwell, Nixon, Pujols, Jennings even Ryan, on fans' minds … We could have re-signed Mark DeRosa for similar money that we are paying Frank Catalanotto. Why? What is the logic here and does it signal the end of Gary Matthews Jr.'s stay with Texas?
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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
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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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.
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?
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
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MLB.com:
Royals acquire catcher Jason LaRue from Reds — Kansas City sends Minor League player to be named to Cincinnati — KANSAS CITY - - The Kansas City Royals have acquired catcher Jason LaRue from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for a minor league player to be named, Royals Senior Vice President …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
