Top News:
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 …
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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 …
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
Discussion:
Cardinals Diaspora
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Report: Padres to ink versatile Counsell — Infielder would likely play second base, hit at top of lineup — The Padres have reached preliminary agreement on a two-year contract with free-agent infielder Craig Counsell, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cardinals close to bringing back Kennedy — The Cardinals, bringing back one of their former prospects, are on the verge of signing free-agent second baseman Adam Kennedy to a three-year, $10 million contract, FOXSports.com has learned. — Kennedy, 30, will replace free agent Ron Belliard …
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Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cards ink Kennedy, Wells, two others — Catcher Bennett returns; Marrero agrees to Minor League deal — ST. LOUIS — The past two years, David Eckstein has spent Spring Training getting to know a new double-play partner. This time around, the get-acquainted period should take about long enough for a handshake and a friendly hug.
Lboros / Viva El Birdos:
adam kennedy and kip wells reportedly signed by cards — posted 15 minutes ago by bernie miklasz at the pressbox: … here's the link: http://www.stltoday.com/forums/ viewtopic.php? t=422546. — i'll withhold judgment until i have a chance to do a little research and see the exact dollar amounts.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Kennedy returns to Cardinals with three-year deal … Free agent second baseman Adam Kennedy has reached agreement on a three-year, $10 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. The team is expected to announce the contract Tuesday afternoon. — Kennedy was St. Louis' first-round pick …
Michael Silverman / Associated Press:
Lucchino, in Japan, makes offer to Matsuzaka — Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino, in Japan to try and close a momentous deal with Daisuke Matsuzaka, told reporters there that the Sox have made a formal offer to the Japanese ace. — "We have sent a formal offer to Matsuzaka …
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
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Sports Illustrated:
Hanshin accepts $25M bid for Igawa — The Hanshin Tigers have accepted the top bid — believed to be about $25 million — for left-handed pitcher Kei Igawa, SI.com has learned. — Major League Baseball is expected to announce Tuesday night which team won the bidding.
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Associated Press:
Wolf, Dodgers agree to $8M deal — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Randy Wolf and the Los Angeles Dodgers finalized an $8 million, one-year contract on Tuesday. — Wolf gets $7.5 million next year, and the Dodgers have a $9 million option for 2008 with a $500,000 buyout.
Discussion:
The700Level.com
RELATED:
Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:Dodgers get a cut-rate deal on pitcher Wolf
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
George King / New York Post:
YANKS KEEP FAITH IN UNIT, PAVANO — On the day the Yankees officially welcomed soon-to-be 38-year-old Mike Mussina back into their Kate Moss-thin rotation with a two-year, $23 million deal, Brian Cashman said he believes Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano can be counted on to fill in behind Chien-Ming Wang and Mussina.
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
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tigerscentral.com:
Guillen Named DIBS Player of the Year — Rogers and Verlander also garner hardware — DETROIT, Mich. — The Detroit Independent Baseball Scribes announced Tuesday (Nov. 28) the winners of the 2006 DIBS Awards. Shortstop Carlos Guillen was named the DIBS Player of the Year as voted on by DIBS members.
Discussion:
Mack Avenue Tigers
RELATED:
Ian C. / Sweaty Men Endeavors:Carlos Guillen - you have DIBS
Discussion:
The Wayne Fontes Experience
Jeffrey Flanagan / Kansas City Star:
Sabes says he would decline Hall honor — Bret Saberhagen doesn't hold any illusions about his chances of making it into the Baseball Hall of Fame now that he's entered his first year on the ballot. — But Saberhagen had some startling words for Hall voters about what he'd do if he got in.
Sports Illustrated:
Cubs offer $45M to righty Schmidt — The Cubs, anxious to steal the winter and maybe the summer, too, are now pursuing star free-agent pitcher Jason Schmidt, SI.com has learned. The Cubs already have spent $239 million on free agents (including the $10 million they used for new manager Lou Piniella) …
Discussion:
Purple Row
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Orioles work to add Bradford, Williamson to bullpen … The Baltimore Orioles, aggressively making over their bullpen this offseason, are expected to sign right-hander Scott Williamson — the fourth veteran the team has targeted for its middle relief this offseason.
USA Today:
Irvin latest analyst to enter hot water — ESPN football analyst Michael Irvin says he's sorry for his comments on Dan Patrick's national radio show a week ago that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo's athletic ability must be due to African-American heritage. — "It's clear I was joking around.
Thomas Heath / Washington Post:
With New Stadium, Name of Game Is Money — With the Washington Nationals on the verge of putting the naming rights to their new stadium up for bid, industry sources say the team likely will receive at least $4 million and possibly as much as $10 million per year on the deal …
