Top News:
Gil LeBreton / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Catalanotto makes sense — ARLINGTON — No, this probably is not — drum roll, please — The Deal That Brings the Rangers the 2007 Pennant. — Some of you may even dislike it, reasoning that the free-agent signing of Frank Catalanotto makes it less likely that the Rangers will retain Gary Matthews Jr.
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Catalanotto a hit for Rangers — ARLINGTON - It will take more than one body for the Rangers to fill the spikes of Gary Matthews Jr., who appears headed for a bonanza of a payday. It may take as many as three. — The Rangers on Tuesday officially secured the first of the cogs necessary …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Milenko Martinovich / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Catalanotto will slide into top of order — ARLINGTON — Outfielder Frank Catalanotto returned to the Rangers on Tuesday after finalizing a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth worth $13 million. — "I'm happy to be back," Catalanotto said. "This has always been my favorite ballpark to hit in and play in.
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels high on Matthews' list — The Angels have emerged as the favorites to land free-agent center fielder Gary Matthews Jr., whose career year with the Texas Rangers has put him in line for a four- or five-year deal that will probably net him at least $10 million a year.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
D-Rays have what other teams want — Think the Red Sox's Manny Ramirez is a bargain with only two years left on his contract? Discerning shoppers on the trade market should check out the Devil Rays' stash. — Left fielder Carl Crawford is signed for $27.5 million over the next four years, including two club options.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
L.A. Daily News:
Angels, Matthews close — Indications are that the Angels are closing in on acquiring center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. in a deal that could be worth $55million for five years. — The Boston Globe reported Tuesday that according to an unnamed baseball executive, the Angels' focus …
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Sox should make move on Manny — Rats. I was pretty sure Manny Ramírez was going to win the MVP award. Too bad he was topped by winner Justin Morneau, runner-up Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, and an ensemble cast of American League worthies. — Here in Red Sox Nation …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Morneau's fine, but feel free to argue — I am fine with the choice of Twins first baseman Justin Morneau as American League MVP. I also would have been fine with the selection of Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter or Twins catcher Joe Mauer. The whole thing is completely subjective and debatable …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
ESPN:Morneau edges Jeter to win AL MVP
Discussion:
The Feeding the Monster Blog, Nick & Nick's Twins Blog, Basegirl, Bucs Dugout, TwinsJunkie.com and Baseball Crank
Michael Morrissey / New York Post:
TRUST OF BRAVE GM KEY ISSUE FOR GLAV — It's business, not personal. At least, that should be John Schuerholz's hope if he wants to bring Tom Glavine back to Atlanta in 2007. — After a season in which the two men had a serious falling out, the Atlanta GM declined to discuss the health …
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Jeff Schultz / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Time right to return to Glavine — Four years ago, the split made sense. Tom Glavine was 36. He was coming off a playoff fizzle. He wanted one last fat contract, and there was a team in New York (duh) willing to give it to him. — Glavine's negotiations with the Braves began …
Discussion:
It's Outta Here!
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Acta Completes His Staff — Nats Manager Adds Ex-Skipper Corrales, Retains Page — Manny Acta officially filled out his coaching staff for his first season as the Washington Nationals' manager yesterday, hiring former major league manager Pat Corrales as his bench coach on a staff …
Discussion:
District of Baseball
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Acta selects his coaching staff — Surrounds himself with 'a good mix of experienced people' — WASHINGTON — Manager Manny Acta added Rick Aponte, Pat Corrales, Jerry Morales, Mitchell Page and Tim Tolman to his coaching staff on Tuesday. — Corrales will be Acta's bench coach …
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Francis' four-year deal is in line with Rockies' long-term plan — The Rockies have taken the next step in their efforts to sign up their homegrown players and create long-term cost certainty by reaching a contract agreement with left-handed starter Jeff Francis.
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David Lennon / Newsday:
Floyd has no hard feelings — Cliff Floyd's stay with the Mets ended without a phone call Monday when general manager Omar Minaya officially introduced Moises Alou as the team's new leftfielder. — As much as Floyd enjoyed the Mets' turnaround over the last two years, and hoped for a return to Flushing …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Junior / FIRE JOE MORGAN:
Introducing Dr. Frank Quietly — Stephen A. Smith, Mr. Quite Frankly himself, is apparently still slumming it in the newspaper business every now and then. To comment on Stephen's latest piece, we've invited a very special guest blogger to join us here at FJM. Please welcome Stephen's polar opposite, Dr. Frank Quietly.
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