Top News:
ESPN:
Source: Astros sign Lee to six-year, $100M deal — Carlos Lee is staying in Texas, but not with the Rangers. — A source told ESPN's Jayson Stark that the Houston Astros were set to announce Friday afternoon that they have signed the free-agent slugger to a six-year, $100 million deal.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, Mack Avenue Tigers, DRays Bay, Sports Frog, Lookout Landing, Where have you gone … and Hot Foot
RELATED:
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 …
Associated Press:
Astros sign Carlos Lee to 6-year deal — HOUSTON —Outfielder Carlos Lee, one of the top free agents on the market, has signed with the Houston Astros, a source close to the negotiations said Friday. — Lee signed a six-year, $100 million deal with the Astros, the source told The Associated Press.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
baseballthinkfactory.org:
Two Texas Teams Lasso Leftfielders — Texas Rangers - Signed OF Frank Catalanotto to a 3-year, $13.5 million contract. — Houston Astros - Reportedly have signed OF Carlos Lee to a 6-year, $90 million contract. — Carlos Lee's a better player, but if you're telling me that …
Jose De Jesus Ortiz / Houston Chronicle:
Astros agree to terms with Carlos Lee — Righthanded starting pitcher Woody Willams, a product of UH, also reaches deal — The Houston Astros have called a press conference for 4 p.m. today to announce the signing of slugging outfielder Carlos Lee, bringing optimism to Lee's new teammates.
Rocky Mountain News:
Ringolsby: Non-elite players are now big deal — The offseason headlines have gone to Boston's $51.1 million bid for the chance to try to sign Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka; the Cubs' eight-year, $136 million deal with outfielder Alfonso Soriano, and the pending free-agent frenzy for left-hander Barry Zito.
RELATED:
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Roberts to pick Giants over Brewers — thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com — It appears the Milwaukee Brewers have finished as the runner-up in the contest to sign free-agent centerfielder Dave Roberts. — Reports Friday out of San Francisco indicated that Roberts was prepared to sign a three-year contract with the Giants.
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Report: Jays close to deal with Barajas — Free-agent catcher could be introduced as early as Tuesday — The Blue Jays are reportedly closing in on a two-year deal with free-agent catcher Rod Barajas. According to the Toronto Globe and Mail, the contract could be worth between $5.5 million …
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 …
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 …
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
Mike Vaccaro / New York Post:
BRONX BIAS STRIKES JETER — MAYBE it's best that Derek Jeter get a preview of what's in store for him across the next 15 years. Maybe it's best that we get it on the record, from a sizable cross-section of the nation's baseball writers, exactly what his perception really is, what his national image really is.
Discussion:
Chad Finn's Touching …
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
