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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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 …
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 …
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 …
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.
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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
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers lose Eaton; Barajas deal uncertain — Until Monday, the Rangers free agents leaving Arlington were position players. Now the exodus includes a starting pitcher. — Right-hander Adam Eaton, who was acquired in the trade that sent Chris Young and Adrian Gonzalez to San Diego last off-season …
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, The Good Phight, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff 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
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 …
Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Bucs ink Marte to two-year extension — Veteran reliever's new deal includes club option for '09 — PITTSBURGH — The Pirates signed left-handed reliever Damaso Marte to a two-year contract extension on Monday with a club option for 2009. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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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 …
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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 …
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Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Sox GM says Crede extension unlikely — Williams blames 'landscape,' says Bonds not in plans — For White Sox fans having visions of Joe Crede at third base forever and for those dreaming of Barry Bonds as the new left fielder, the reality is neither will happen.
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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 …
Discussion:
District of Baseball
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Thomas Heath / Washington Post:
With New Stadium, Name of Game Is Money
With New Stadium, Name of Game Is Money
Discussion:
William F. Yurasko
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
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.
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Mailbag: How close is Glavine to return? — Beat reporter Mark Bowman answers Braves fans' questions — With the Mets declining the option on Tom Glavine's contract, does that give more hope that he could be a Brave next year? — Just like when Glavine rejected his option in his contract …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com