Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
MLB official: Ramirez might be dealt by Saturday … The Red Sox are aggressively shopping outfielder Manny Ramirez now, according to major league sources, at a time when the slugger's trade value has peaked, and there is a sense among some executives that their trade talks are gaining momentum.
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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.
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.
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.
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Hall ballot features era's top stars — Gwynn, Ripken, McGwire join Gossage, Rice, Dawson — SAN DIEGO — The 2007 Hall of Fame ballot was released on Monday and a record number of buses will be ready to roll into Cooperstown, N.Y., on July 29 for what's expected to be one of the biggest induction ceremonies of this generation.
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Associated Press:
McGwire goes on Hall ballot along with Gwynn and Ripken — NEW YORK - Mark McGwire, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. headline the first-time candidates on the 2007 baseball writers' Hall of Fame ballot released Monday, sure to spark debate on Big Mac's place in history as the steroid era comes under renewed scrutiny.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
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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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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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.
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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!
Joe Hamrahi / baseballdigestdaily.com:
Defensive Metrics: How Objective Data Can Support Subjective Evaluations — Each year the anticipation grows building up to the Gold Glove (GG) awards presentation. And each year, it seems, the awards announcement is shrouded in controversy and debate. You are almost certain to hear …
Marc Normandin / Amazin' Avenue:
Ben Johnson Profile — Posted on Sun Nov 26, 2006 at 02:45:52 PM EST — Last week the Mets sent Royce Ring and Heath Bell to the Padres in exchange for outfielder Ben Johnson and reliever Jon Adkins. Johnson is the most promising of the four players, and Marc Normandin of Beyond the Box Score …
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
