Top News:
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Giants agree to terms with second baseman Durham — The San Francisco Giants and Ray Durham agreed to a two-year contract Friday that will pay the second baseman between $14 million and $15 million. — The 35-year-old Durham, a switch-hitter and two-time All-Star, is coming off his best season in years.
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ESPN:
Giants don't offer Bonds arbitration; A's do offer to Zito — SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants declined to offer salary arbitration to Barry Bonds before Friday night's deadline, prompting his agent to say the team has not made bringing the slugger back a priority.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
ESPN:
Source: Glavine, Mets reach 1-year, $11 million deal … The New York Mets may not have ace righthander Pedro Martinez for at least half of the 2007 season. But ace lefthander Tom Glavine will be back. — Glavine on Friday agreed to a one-year contract with the Mets.
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
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Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Competition for Lilly heating up — Lefty has received offer from Cubs; Jays still in the mix — TORONTO — The race for Ted Lilly's services is heating up. According to Lilly's agent, Larry O'Brien, the Chicago Cubs have put a four-year deal on the table in an attempt to lure the free-agent starter to the National League.
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs interested in southpaw Lilly — Chicago hopes to strengthen rotation by signing free agent — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have reportedly made an offer to free agent left-hander Ted Lilly in an attempt to fill one of the vacancies in the starting rotation.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Rockies go south for pitching help — Lefty Rivera called the best pitcher in Mexico by O'Dowd — Oscar Rivera is considered the top young pitcher in the Mexican League. — The Rockies want to find out how that translates to the big leagues. — Colorado agreed to purchase the left-hander …
Discussion:
Purple Row
Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Prime Yank seats will cost a bundle — The face value of the highest-priced Yankees ticket purchased on a game day next season will be a whopping $400, representing almost a 300 percent increase. — But though there are significant increases throughout the lower two levels …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Sports Illustrated:
Selig says he plans to retire - and he means it this time — NEW YORK (AP) -Bud Selig says he plans to retire as baseball commissioner in three years - and he really means it this time. — "My contract is going to be over. I'm going to be 75 years of age.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats won't break bank in Orlando — Club looking to improve, but more focused on farm system — WASHINGTON — It's not a secret that the Nationals need to improve their pitching and defense. They also need to add another power hitter after losing left fielder Alfonso Soriano to free agency.
Discussion:
District of Baseball
Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Bucs try to fill holes at Winter Meetings — Littlefield eyes left-handed first baseman and outfielder — PITTSBURGH — While it's unlikely that the Pittsburgh Pirates will be involved in any blockbuster signings when the baseball world descends upon Orlando next week for the annual Winter Meetings …
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Mariners looking into Thomson — Seattle requests medical files on free-agent right-hander — SEATTLE — In their pursuit to add starting pitching, the Mariners are believed to be targeting former Braves right-hander John Thomson. — Sources have confirmed that the Mariners have had contact …
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Hicks hopes Zito, Rangers are a fit — Rangers owner Tom Hicks was impressed by Barry Zito, who visited Arlington on Thursday, and hopes the free agent left-hander will want to come back and put on a Rangers uniform in 2007. — "He's certainly the kind of guy we'd like to have in our organization," Hicks said.
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Sox re-sign Pods for '07 — Disdaining the high-priced free agent market, the White Sox re-signed left fielder Scott Podsednik to a one year, $2.9 million contract. — What to do with the leadoff hitter, whose statistics fell off this summer from the 2005 championship season, was one of the main priorities of early winter.
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers extend offer to Graffanino — Milwaukee wrapping up free-agent arbitration efforts — MILWAUKEE — The Brewers took a calculated gamble late Friday night and offered salary arbitration to free-agent infielder Tony Graffanino. — Graffanino, acquired by Milwaukee in a July trade …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings