Top News:
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Yankees win rights to Igawa for $26,000,194 — NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees got a chance to sign a Japanese pitcher on their second try this offseason, winning the rights Tuesday to Kei Igawa after losing out to the Boston Red Sox two weeks ago for Daisuke Matsuzaka.
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Jimmy Golen / Associated Press:
Red Sox can't reduce bid for Matsuzaka — BOSTON - The Boston Red Sox cannot reduce their $51.1 million bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka in order to sign him, even if his Japanese team agrees to take less, baseball officials said Tuesday. — "There are no side deals in the situation," …
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
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Igawa's rights go to Yankees — New York reportedly bids $25-$26 million to speak with lefty — NEW YORK — After missing out on star Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka earlier this month, the Yankees made sure not to let history repeat itself when Kei Igawa became available via the posting system.
Sports Illustrated:Hanshin accepts $25M bid for Igawa
Discussion:
On the Yankees beat, Mets Today, YanksBlog.com, Always Amazin', Hot Foot and MetsBlog.com
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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R.B. Fallstrom / Associated Press:
Kennedy, Kip Wells agree to deals with Cardinals — ST. LOUIS (AP) — Signing second baseman Adam Kennedy filled out the St. Louis Cardinals' everyday lineup. Even with the addition of right-hander Kip Wells, their rotation remains two pitchers shy. — The Cardinals made their first big …
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
What are the Orioles thinking? — There are two ways to view the Orioles' investment of nearly $42 million in relievers Jamie Walker, Danys Baez and Chad Bradford. — A. The Orioles, coming off nine consecutive losing seasons, needed to overpay each reliever in a three-year contract to attract him to Baltimore, or,
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
O's add 4; 2 pitchers for 'pen … Six days before the start of baseball's winter meetings, the Orioles' offseason wish list grew smaller Tuesday, thanks to a flurry of activity that landed the club three new faces and welcomed back a familiar one. — Continuing a thorough overhaul of their bull pen …
Larry Dobrow / CBS SportsLine.com:
Throw clueless GM Littlefield off Pirates' sinking ship — The Pittsburgh Pirates might be one of baseball's two or three franchises truly beyond resuscitation, and I can tell you why in three words: Dave Motherbleepin' Littlefield. — In his five tragic years as the team's executive zookeeper …
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
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Ian C. / Sweaty Men Endeavors:Carlos Guillen - you have DIBS
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The Wayne Fontes Experience
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Blue Jays, Zaun agree on $7.25M deal — In a stunning turn of events, the Blue Jays have reached agreement with free-agent catcher Gregg Zaun on a two-year, $7.25 million contract, FOXSports.com has learned. — The Jays had a two-year, $5.25 million deal in place with free-agent catcher Rod Barajas …
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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.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Leaving Tucson will be tricky — Sox need replacement before Glendale move — Moving their spring-training home from Tucson to Glendale, Ariz., might seem easy for the White Sox. — Their toughest task will be finding a team to replace them at the facility they share with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Notes: Wolf says he'll miss Philly — Lure of pitching at home for Dodgers too strong to pass up — PHILADELPHIA — Randy Wolf is already picturing himself throwing that first pitch from the Dodger Stadium mound, this time for the home team. — "I think every kid grows up wanting to play for the team he watched," Wolf said.
Discussion:
The700Level.com
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mailbag: A call to arms — Beat reporter Marty Noble answers fans' questions — What do the Mets plan to do about their starting pitching for next season? So far, they've acquired only Jason Vargas. Also, why are we trying to make Aaron Heilman a starter again?
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Always Amazin'
