Top News:
Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Phillies ante up to land Rangers' Eaton — Perhaps the Rangers did underachieve last season. At least, that seems to be the case based on the monstrous offers their free agents are getting. — The latest news was delivered Monday when pitcher Adam Eaton agreed to a three-year contract with the Phillies for $24 million.
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:Source: Eaton's three-year deal with Phils worth $24M
Discussion:
Baseball Analysts, Associated Press, Dodger Hill, Bucs Dugout, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, The Good Phight and MetsBlog.com
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 …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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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 …
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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.
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 …
Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Bucs fans play GM for a day — Pirates faithful share some armchair ideas for the offseason … Why would the Bucs not protect Wardell Starling? Last year, Starling, who is only 23, made 28 starts between Class A Lynchburg and Double-A Altoona and was 10-9 with a 2.98 ERA.
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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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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 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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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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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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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
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:
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.
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
