Top News:
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 …
RELATED:
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.
Discussion:
The 26th Man
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.
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 …
RELATED:
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 …
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. — You be the dealmaker:
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
RELATED:
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 …
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.
RELATED:
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 …
Discussion:
Oleanders and Morning Glories, DCist, Church of Baseball, Powered, William F. Yurasko and Field of Schemes
RELATED:
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
RELATED:
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
RELATED:
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
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.
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.
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.
