Top News:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Epstein mum on Sox deals — Alicea joins staff as first base coach — There was no airing of company secrets by Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein on the conference call he held yesterday in advance of his trip Sunday to Orlando, Fla., for the winter meetings, not that there should have …
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Murray Chass / New York Times:
Ramírez Simmers on the Hot Stove — Here they go again. Or maybe not. The Red Sox have tried to get rid of Manny Ramírez so often you can never be sure when, if ever, they are serious. — Speculation has heated up in the week before baseball's winter meetings that the Red Sox …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
CBS4Boston:
Schilling Says Manny Ramirez Wants To Be Traded — (CBS4) BOSTON There have been all sorts of rumors and reports in the last week that the Red Sox are pushing hard to trade Manny Ramirez. — Ramirez has never said in public that he wants to be traded. But Wednesday night at an event in Warwick …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Glavine getting Braves blow-off — The Mets have been waiting on Tom Glavine. Turns out, Glavine is waiting on the Braves. — Glavine, who is trying to decide whether he wants to pitch for the Mets or return to the team he began his career with, has yet to receive an offer from Atlanta …
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Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Glavine waiting for Braves to make an offer — The Mets still have not heard anything definitive from Tom Glavine's camp, but that may not be such a bad thing. Glavine's agent said the silence is because the Braves have still not given his client anything to consider.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Associated Press:
Glavine yet to receive Braves offer; Mets return likely — NEW YORK — Tom Glavine hasn't received a contract offer from the Atlanta Braves as he nears a decision on where he wants to play next season, a development that has increased the likelihood he will return to the New York Mets.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Spring training in Tucson now concern for team — Scrapping winter caravan plans, the Rockies are considering hosting a one-day Fanfest in downtown Denver before spring training. The inaugural event could offer a distraction from the team's concern about its spring training site in Tucson.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Blue Jays reach agreement with Clayton — The Blue Jays, acting to solidify their middle-infield defense, have reached agreement with free-agent shortstop Royce Clayton on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, FOXSports.com has learned. — The deal, which is pending a physical …
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Jeff Sackmann / Baseball Analysts:
The Best Minor League Defenders — Prospect analysis has always been one of the most contentious issues in the "stats vs. scouts" debates. However, for all the breakthroughs in statistical techniques, analysts have almost always had to rely on scouting to assign a value to the defensive contribution of a young player.
Dallas Morning News:
Rangers' stove is far from hot — Daniels not lighting up the off-season so far, but give him a chance — There is the softball hanging right out there over the plate. I keep waiting for Jon Daniels to swat it out of the park. — Now I realize that owner Tom Hicks hired Daniels …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
Snubbed Pujols says MVP should be on playoff team — SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Albert Pujols thinks he was snubbed. — The St. Louis Cardinals' slugger is upset he lost out to Philadelphia's Ryan Howard for the National League MVP award, saying Wednesday the honor should go to someone on a playoff team.
Associated Press:
Strahan goes off about reports on Burress comments — EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Losing isn't the only thing contagious on the New York Giants these days. — Blowups are just as popular, and Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan on Wednesday joined the ranks of Jeremy Shockey and Tiki Barber …
Marc Normandin / Baseball Prospectus:
Player Profile — Alfonso Soriano — Alfonso Soriano is one of those players whose value is constantly debated among the more casual fan and the statistically-inclined folk. He consistently drives in a great deal of runs, hits for power and steals bases.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
George King / New York Post:
BOMBERS MAKE WINNING BID FOR IGAWA — The Yankees winning the posting bid on Japanese lefty Kei Igawa yesterday doesn't make their rotation whole. In fact, several talent evaluators raked their heads when informed the Yankees' winning bid was $26 million for a pitcher many believe is no more than a fourth starter.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Q&A with Nats president Stan Kasten — Free agency, Soriano, Winter Meetings among topics discussed — Despite all the money being spent on Major League free agents, Nationals president Stan Kasten has not wavered from his philosophy, which is rebuild the farm system.
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Notes: White Sox not shopping Crede — Third baseman mentioned in several trade rumors — CHICAGO — White Sox fans anxiously anticipated Joe Crede's transformation from a top prospect in 2002, through a couple of years of offensive inconsistency but defensive excellence …
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Rays hope to play series in Orlando … ST. PETERSBURG - In an effort to expand their presence in the Orlando area, the Devil Rays are considering moving three regular-season games to the Disney complex. — Talks to shift the May 15-17 games against Texas are still in preliminary stages …
Discussion:
DRays Bay
