Top News:
Boston Herald:
Sox sign reliever Okajima — As reported earlier today by the Herald, the Red Sox announced that they have signed Japanese relief pitcher Hideki Okajima to a two-year contract with an option for the 2009 season. — General manager Theo Epstein will introduce the left-handed pitcher …
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Protrade / protrade.com:
Talking Heads: Manny to L.A.? — The Intern — I think it's time for Manny to be Manny on the west coast, in a Dodger uniform. After J.D. Drew shunned the Dodger faithful and appears to be close to signing with the Red Sox, Los Angeles has a huge hole in the lineup to fill.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
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
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 …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Beyond Igawa, Yankees Consider a Few Others — The Yankees will have five starting pitchers once they sign Kei Igawa, the left-hander from Japan whose negotiating rights they won Tuesday. But two of those starters have serious health questions, which is why the Yankees may not be done shopping.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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George King / New York Post:
YANKS ON HOLD FOR ANDY, ROG — The Yankees have talked to the representative for Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens and are in the same holding pattern other teams find themselves in regarding the free-agent hurlers. — Do Pettitte and Clemens want to continue to pitch next year?
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
Dan Graziano / New Jersey Online:
Yanks talking to righty Padilla — A day after winning the rights to negotiate with Japanese left-hander Kei Igawa with a $26,000,194 bid, the Yankees remained focused on acquiring another starting pitcher to go with him. — The Yankees are confident they will sign Igawa before their 30-day negotiating window expires.
Mark Hale / New York Post:
AGENT: BRAVES HAVE INTEREST IN GLAVINE — Tom Glavine, the most critical Met left with an uncertain future, is still figuring out whether to pitch for the Mets or Braves. His agent, Gregg Clifton, said yesterday that the "Braves have expressed interest" in him.
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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.
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.
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres, Graffanino talking — He would fill two needs: second baseman, leadoff man — The Padres are talking with the agent of second baseman Tony Graffanino, one of a few candidates San Diego is considering for its starting job. — Yesterday, Craig Counsell and the Brewers agreed on a two-year …
Andrew Baggarly / Contra Costa Times:
Giants working to put lineup pieces in place — Team gets offer from Feliz's agent but may opt for Loretta instead — The Giants want to focus on trading for a slugging presence during the winter meetings next week, so they hope to make decisions on many free agents before Saturday.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Jeff Sackmann / Hardball Times:
Whither Bill Hall? — The Brewers are in a quandary. Not a horrible one, like waking up one morning and realizing they only have three starting pitchers. On the contrary, they have too many MLB-quality infielders. As a matter of fact, the same was true at the beginning of the 2006 season …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
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.
