Top News:
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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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.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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
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 …
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 …
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres near deal with Counsell — Big bid in for Igawa; Ramirez of interest — The Padres have reignited their offseason. — Yesterday they bid more than $10 million for the right to negotiate with Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa, came to a preliminary agreement on a two-year deal …
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
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.
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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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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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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 …
Associated Press:
Zaun re-signs, will be Jays' starting catcher — TORONTO — Gregg Zaun remained with the Toronto Blue Jays, agreeing Tuesday to a $7.25 million, two-year contract after the team's apparent agreement with Rod Barajas fell through. — "We came to terms with Gregg Zaun at about midnight," …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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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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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.
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
