Top News:
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 …
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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.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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.
Associated Press:
'Pen mightier: O's reach agreement with reliever Baez — 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.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Dodgers near deal with Wolf — The Dodgers, angling to protect themselves against the possible loss of free-agent right-hander Greg Maddux, are the front-runners to sign free-agent left-hander Randy Wolf, FOXSports.com has learned. — Maddux, 40, wants a two-year deal, major-league sources say …
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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 …
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 …
Claire Smith / Miami Herald:
Tough Choice on McGwire — On Friday, Hall of Fame ballots will be mailed to the approximately 575 voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America. — Though there are few certainties in life, it's guaranteed that all Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn have to worry about is not whether …
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John Erardi / Cincinnati Enquirer:
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.
Discussion:
3,079 Miles to Fenway …
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!
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
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Brewers catch a deal — Estrada, Davis centerpieces of trade with Arizona — thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com — The Milwaukee Brewers, who ended the 2006 season somewhat nervous about their catching situation, cast those concerns aside Saturday with a six-player trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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