Top News:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Drew deal may lead Manny out the door — The Red Sox appear to be the leading candidate to sign free agent outfielder J.D. Drew and, according to one baseball executive, the deal could be a big one. — A five-year deal worth an average annual salary of $15 million is one figure being heard …
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
NL teams warm up to idea of a Ramírez deal — The Manny Ramírez trade chatter predictably spiked upward yesterday, with the winter meetings just days away. — While the Red Sox continued to close in on a deal for free agent outfielder J.D. Drew, and have made an offer …
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.
Gerry Callahan / Boston Herald:
Sox' fascination with Drew obscene — If all the rumors are true, the Red Sox this week will sign a veteran player with power, patience, speed, a rocket arm and an OBP that lets off a beam of light when it hits your computer screen. — Any day now, your Boston Red Sox will have a guy …
Denver Post:
Rockies' contract progress is slow — Security and cost certainty are the reverberating themes on Blake Street. The Rockies have discussed multiyear contracts with closer Brian Fuentes, infielders Jamey Carroll and Garrett Atkins and pitcher Jason Jennings.
Discussion:
Purple Row
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: Eaton's three-year deal with Phils worth $24M
Source: Eaton's three-year deal with Phils worth $24M
Discussion:
Associated Press, Dodger Hill, Bucs Dugout, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, The Good Phight and MetsBlog.com
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Eaton, Phils agree on 3-year, $24 million deal
Eaton, Phils agree on 3-year, $24 million deal
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
NY Daily News:
Bids on next Japanese pitcher — The posting closed for a second Japanese pitcher yesterday, and while the competition for lefty Kei Igawa is not as high-profile as it was for Daisuke Matsuzaka, sources have indicated that both the Yankees and Mets bid for Igawa.
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Lucchino in Japan to work on Seibu — The Red Sox have sent team president Larry Lucchino to Japan to help try and close a momentous deal with Daisuke Matsuzaka. — Lucchino has, according to a source, already met with attorneys representing the Seibu Lions, the Japanese Central League team …
Associated Press:
McGwire good for only 1 out of 4 for Hall of Fame vote — NEW YORK — For one glorious summer, Mark McGwire was bigger than baseball itself. America stopped to watch each time he came to the plate, and cheered every time he sent a ball into orbit. — He could do no wrong, it seemed.
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mussina Gets First Choice, Returning to the Yankees — When the Yankees signed Mike Mussina to a long contract in the winter of 2000, they were coming off their fourth World Series championship in five seasons. Surely, Mussina must have figured that over the next six years he, too …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Angels discussing trade with White Sox — In a deal that would fill the Angels' need for a power hitter but that would come with a steep price, the Angels and Chicago White Sox have discussed a trade that would send infielder-outfielder Chone Figgins and pitcher Ervin Santana to Chicago …
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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates pursuing free agent Suppan — Team signs Marte to two-year extension worth $4.7 million — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates are among a dozen teams pursuing free agent Jeff Suppan, the St. Louis Cardinals' best pitcher during their run to the World Series.
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David Ginsburg / Associated Press:
Baez signs up for relief work with Orioles … One frustrating year in the National League was enough for right-hander Danys Baez. — The free agent reliever signed a $19 million, three-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Monday after passing a physical. — Baez broke into the majors with Cleveland in 2001.
Discussion:
Baseball Digest Daily Blog
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Ohka interested in returning — Right-hander spent three-plus seasons with Expos/Nats — WASHINGTON — Right-hander Tomo Ohka is interested in returning to the Nationals, according to his agent, Jim Masteralexis. — The news comes more than a year after the team traded Ohka to the Brewers …
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Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers get a cut-rate deal on pitcher Wolf — Left-hander, who had elbow surgery in '05, agrees for less than others offered so he can play in hometown. — Southland product Randy Wolf, a left-handed starting pitcher who had major elbow surgery 17 months ago, has agreed to sign …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Dellucci agrees to 3-year, $11.5M deal — The Indians have found a new left fielder, reaching agreement with free agent David Dellucci on a three-year, $11.5 million contract, FOXSports.com has learned. — The deal is contingent on Dellucci passing a physical. The examination is expected to take place Thursday in Cleveland.
Sports Illustrated:
Blue Jays still negotiating with Zaun — TORONTO (AP) -The Toronto Blue Jays have resumed negotiations with free-agent catcher Gregg Zaun after an apparent agreement with Rod Barajas fell through. — General manager J.P. Ricciardi said late Monday the team was negotiating with Zaun, and the deal with Barajas was not going ahead.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Dodgers, Rangers could make deals for Manny — The trade market for left fielder Manny Ramirez consists of four teams, according to major-league sources, and the Dodgers and Rangers appear to be more suitable partners for the Red Sox than the Giants and Padres. — FOX Bite — Videos