Top News:
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Matsuzaka, Sox oceans apart — Talks could affect other deals — The Red Sox and Daisuke Matsuzaka still have nearly three weeks to come to terms on a contract, but preliminary indications are that the sides may have to overcome an initial gap as wide as the Pacific Ocean.
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Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
From Barry to ... Manny? Giants talking to Red Sox about a deal for Ramirez — As the Giants work to complete a three-year contract with center fielder Dave Roberts, they are talking to the Red Sox about acquiring one of Roberts' former teammates in Boston, a big fish named Manny Ramirez.
Hartford Courant:
Red Sox, Drew Close To Deal — The Red Sox might be within days of signing outfielder J.D. Drew, filling their need for a right fielder less than a week before the winter meetings begin in Orlando, Fla. — The Boston Globe and SI.com reported over the weekend that the Red Sox and Drew were close to an agreement.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Not Manny outs left — If you believe actions are louder than words, then here is what the Los Angeles Angels said last week: They would rather have Gary Matthews in center field (with ample pitching) than Manny Ramirez in left (without), even if it means Matthews earning an average of $10 million over the next five seasons.
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Reports: Wolf to sign with Dodgers — California native may have spurned bigger offers to head home — PHILADELPHIA — In the end, it might have come down to just wanting to go home for Randy Wolf. — Multiple published reports, citing unidentified sources, said late Sunday night …
Discussion:
The Good Phight
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Sources: O's agree to deal with Baez … The Orioles have struck out to this point in adding a slugger to the middle of their lineup, but they are having no such problems in overhauling their bullpen. According to club sources, the Orioles have agreed in principal to a three-year deal …
Todd Zolecki / Centre Daily Times:
Wolf may sign with Dodgers — The lefty lives near L.A. and may take less money to go home. — The Phillies struck out on Alfonso Soriano, and now Randy Wolf. — Two baseball sources said yesterday that Wolf, a free agent who the Phillies hoped would fill the vacancy in their rotation …
David Ginsburg / Associated Press:
Orioles, Baez agree to $19 million, 3-year deal — BALTIMORE — Free-agent reliever Danys Baez and the Baltimore Orioles reached a preliminary agreement on a $19 million, three-year contract Sunday night, a move that further solidifies a bullpen that finished with the second-worst ERA in the major leagues last season.
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
Phil Pepe / yesnetwork.com:
Jeter great, but Morneau better — Twins first baseman defined "Most Valuable Player" — Morneau led the Twins' surge into the playoffs. — Winning the Most Valuable Player award would not have validated Derek Jeter's career. His ticket of admission to the Hall of Fame has already been punched.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Matt Eagan / Hartford Courant:
TheBigStory — Derek Jeter gets entirely too much credit for being Captain Intangibles and not enough for being one of the best offensive players of our generation. — Those who follow the Yankees only on YES know he is treated with the sort of reverence reserved for players of another era …
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Barajas signs with Blue Jays — Rod Barajas will be the starting catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays pending a physical Tuesday morning, his agent confirmed Monday. The contract is for two years at around $6 million. — The Rangers had planned for Gerald Laird to be their primary catcher …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Baseball America:
Detroit Tigers — Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.
Discussion:
The Detroit Tiger Weblog
David Gassko / Hardball Times:
Present Value — Damn. Eight years, $136 million? For Alfonso Soriano? What? — Those, approximately, were the first words to come out of my mouth after hearing about the Cubs signing the soon-to-be 31-year-old slugger. After a few offseasons of fiscal sanity …
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Glavine: Make a decision, already — This is a crappy blog I'm sending from the Las Vegas airport at about 9:40 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday, before I catch a red-eye flight to the city of raised middle fingers. — OK, kidding _ about it being the city of raised fingers, not about this being a weak blog.
Discussion:
It's Outta Here!
John Erardi / Cincinnati.com:
Robinson: Vote no on Big Mac — Performance enhancers taint McGwire, others, Reds great says — Reds great Frank Robinson said this weekend at a card show at Moeller High School that Mark McGwire should not be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
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