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 …
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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 …
R.B. Fallstrom / Associated Press:
Kennedy, Kip Wells agree to deals with Cardinals — ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Cardinals made their first big moves since winning the World Series, agreeing Tuesday to a $10 million, three-year contract with second baseman Adam Kennedy and a $4 million, one-year deal with right-hander Kip Wells.
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
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.
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
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Brewers closing in on Counsell — The Milwaukee Brewers are getting closer to a deal with free-agent infielder Craig Counsell, FOXSports.com has learned. — If the Brewers are able to land the former Diamonbacks shortstop, it could result in the Padres making a move to obtain Tony Graffanino as their every day second baseman.
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 …
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:
On the Yankees beat, Mets Today, YanksBlog.com, Always Amazin', Hot Foot and MetsBlog.com
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 …
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Yankees win rights to Japan's Igawa — NEW YORK - The New York Yankees won the bidding for Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa when the Hanshin Tigers accepted their offer of about $25 million Tuesday. — The identity of the winning team was disclosed by a baseball official who spoke on condition …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
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
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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Rob Gillies / Associated Press:
Zaun agrees to $7.25 million, two-year contract with Blue Jays — TORONTO (AP) — Gregg Zaun remained with the Toronto Blue Jays, agreeing Tuesday to a $7.25 million, two-year contract after Rod Barajas backed out of an apparent deal. — Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi quickly resumed negotiations …
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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
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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.
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
Sabernomics:
Free Agent Salaries and MLB Revenue Growth — Like most baseball fans, I am shocked by the money going to free agents this off-season. I expected this to be a big year, but these numbers are off-the-chart huge, far higher than I anticipated. Because many of these contracts are long-term deals …
