Top News:
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Pat Dobson, former 20-game winner with Orioles, dies at 64 — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Pat Dobson was part of an illustrious pitching staff in Baltimore and a savvy scouting department with the San Francisco Giants, touching everyone from Earl Weaver to Brian Sabean along the way.
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USA Today:
Former Orioles pitcher Pat Dobson dies — Staff and wire reports — Pat Dobson, 64, special assistant to San Francisco Giants general manager Brian Sabean, died Wednesday after being diagnosed a day earlier with leukemia, his wife, Kathe Dobson, said. — Dobson, best known in baseball …
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Ready for Long haul — New Yank hitting coach can't wait to get started — Spring training is still months away, but Kevin Long already has begun work in his new job as the Yankees' hitting coach. He has had lunch with Alex Rodriguez to plan an offseason routine and will visit A-Rod …
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Bat Maker Wants to Sell Company on His Terms — Sam Holman started making maple baseball bats in his garage in Ottawa 10 years ago because he was trying to win a bar challenge. Holman wanted to prove to a baseball scout that a bat made from the wood of a rock maple tree would be more durable …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Matthews is the centerpiece — After failing to land a slugger, Angels sign the slick-fielding outfielder to a five-year, $50-million contract. He might bat leadoff. — The Angels, convinced Gary Matthews Jr., won't be a one-year wonder, signed the free-agent center fielder to a five-year …
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Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Wish list finally comes true for Angels — Matthews, switch-hitter and star center fielder, agrees to deal — The Angels landed a centerpiece for their holiday table with the signing of free agent Gary Matthews Jr. on Wednesday. — Matthews agreed to a five-year, $50 million deal that includes a partial no-trade clause.
Newsday:
Wallace Matthews — Mets making turkeys of fans — On the joyous occasion of Thanksgiving Day, let us take a moment to thank the New York Mets. — For nothing. — Last week, the club gleefully announced its sweetheart stadium deal that will hand over to them, rent-free …
Sean McAdam / ESPN:
Current market could spark flurry of trades — The free-agent spending spree is roughly only a week old, and already, the deals are staggering. Alfonso Soriano got $136 million. Aramis Ramirez got $75 million. J.D. Drew is looking for $56 million. Frank Thomas got $18 million.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Steven Goldman / yesnetwork.com:
Jeter is the real AL MVP — The writers missed the mark this year — THE DUMBEST MVP VOTE IN THE HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION, INCLUDING THE INFAMOUS 112 CE ROMAN EASTERN CHARIOT LEAGUE VOTE AND THE 1,000,276 CE "LAST MVP BEFORE THE SUN GOES NOVA SO LET'S GET THE !! #@$# OUT OF HERE VOTE"
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Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Astros reportedly reel in Lee — Veteran slugger to ink six-year deal with Houston — HOUSTON — Free-agent slugger Carlos Lee has agreed to terms on a six-year contract with the Houston Astros, according to a Houston television station. — KRIV-TV, citing Major League Baseball sources …
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
DMZ / U.S.S. Mariner:
OFFSEASON ADVENTURE — You are in an open offseason in your office in the headquarters of a successful west coast baseball team. It is dark and raining here. You are likely to be eaten by a grue. — There is a suitcase here. — There is a neatly stacked set of travel documents here.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
USA Today:
Patience is key for rebuilding team — The Royals have saddled their fans with four 100-loss seasons in the last five years, but management says the team's quest for a turnaround will be focused on patient rebuilding, not a quick-fix solution. — "We've had enough of the 100-loss seasons …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
USA Today:
Moving forward after a step back — The Brewers were a lot of peoples' dark-horse contender in the National League Central this past season. After reaching the .500 mark in 2005 following 12 consecutive losing seasons, they seemed poised to make a move. — Milwaukee had a solid rotation …
