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 …
RELATED:
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 …
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 …
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 …
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
Rob Maaddi / Associated Press:
Eaton and Phillies agree to 3-year, $24 million deal — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Starting pitcher Adam Eaton and the Philadelphia Phillies reached a preliminary agreement on a $24 million, three-year contract, a baseball official told The Associated Press on Monday.
Discussion:
Metsquire
RELATED:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:Source: Eaton's three-year deal with Phils worth $24M
Discussion:
Associated Press, Dodger Hill, Baseball Musings, Bucs Dugout, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, The Good Phight and MetsBlog.com
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 …
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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.
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
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 …
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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 …
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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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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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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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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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
