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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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Sox sign Japanese lefty Okajima — Reliever given two-year deal to be specialist out of 'pen — BOSTON — One of the things the Red Sox lacked most in 2006 was a lefty specialist, particularly during encounters against left-handed hitters like the Yankees' Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Keeping Manny may be best for Red Sox — He is the walking definition of unreliable. — Still, the Red Sox should keep Manny Ramirez. — Would he be as wacky as ever? Yes. — Would Red Sox players, coaches and executives want to strangle him again? Absolutely.
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 …
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
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.
Sheldon Ocker / Akron Beacon Journal:
NO BLOCKBUSTER DEALS FOR TRIBE — Attention, Indians fans. It's time to cheer, in unison: ``Whoop-de-doo.'' — That spontaneous show of support for the team is in honor of the impending signing of David Dellucci, an outfielder from the Philadelphia Phillies whose agent says has agreed to work for the Tribe.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
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
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 …
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
The Numbers / Fox Sports:
MVP voting sends the wrong message — No doubt, you've heard that the baseball writers recently voted Ryan Howard of the Phillies as National League MVP for 2006 and Justin Morneau as American League MVP. — These choices aren't entirely surprising, but they are unbelievably wrong-headed.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
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