Top News:
USA Today:
General managers ready for winter free-for-all in Florida — One of the first orders of business as baseball's winter meetings begin Monday is sizing up the layout of the Swan and Dolphin resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — It's a new venue for the game's annual gathering …
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Sox set to go to market: Just like everyone else — ORLANDO, Fla. - Given the passion and the soap opera, circus-like atmosphere that usually swirls around the Red Sox, it is sometimes hard to remember they are only one of 30 baseball teams. — As these winter meetings kick off …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Red Sox, Dodgers talking about Ramirez — ORLANDO, Fla. - Notes from the eve of the winter meetings: — The Red Sox and Dodgers were scheduled to meet at midnight ET Sunday to talk about Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, according to a major league source.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Hendry busy with outfield, rotation — ORLANDO — The only one certain to play in center field next summer at Wrigley Field is Dave Matthews, whose band is scheduled to perform two concerts during the All-Star break. — But general manager Jim Hendry has several options available for a full …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs ready to go at Winter Meetings — Soriano signed and set, Hendry looks for starting pitching — ORLANDO, Fla. — General manager Jim Hendry has yet to meet with the agent for free-agent pitcher Ted Lilly, to whom the team made an offer last week. — On Sunday, Hendry …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Whatever happened to Barry Bonds? … LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Greatest Slugger of His Time sits home in California, jobless and teamless. — In a very different world, he would be the hottest free agent of them all at one of baseball's strangest winter meetings of them all …
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John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
Interest in Bonds seems questionable — If there's genuine interest in Barry Bonds outside the Giants' executive offices — and it's clear Bonds isn't the unanimous choice to play left field — it's a highly guarded secret. — Teams are saying "no" at a rapid rate, and perhaps it's …
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
O's pack some needs for winter meetings — Still missing big bat, 'we expect to be very busy,' Flanagan says — Even though they have directed one of the busiest teams in the league since the money-spending free-agent season began, the Orioles' top executives boarded a plane …
Newsday:
Yanks wait for Pettitte return — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Brian Cashman checked into Disney's Swan and Dolphin Resort last night with a checklist of his remaining offseason questions on his mind. But there's one question he has no control over. — The Yankees will have a roster spot …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves bolster bullpen with Sturtze — Atlanta signs veteran right-hander to one-year deal — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Based on recent history, Braves general manager John Schuerholz has something much more exciting in store. But with Sunday's signing of Tanyon Sturtze …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Salary boom win-win for Rays … LAKE BUENA VISTA - The Devil Rays aren't planning to spend much money in the free-agent market, but the ridiculous dollars teams have thrown at players could have a significant impact on their plans. — With free agents getting multiyear deals for multimillions …
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Rockies think their strength is within — Division rivals keep busy in offseason — While the rest of the National League West has been creating an offseason stir, the Rockies, so far, have been willing to settle for such subtle moves as re-signing second baseman Kaz Matsui …
Discussion:
Purple Row
Lee Jenkins / New York Times:
Zito's Father Played His Role to Perfection — Joe Zito has been awake for 26 straight hours, camped behind his grand piano, composing a concerto and playing the works of Rachmaninoff. — He is an unlikely baseball dad, but an extraordinarily successful one.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Piratereport / Pittsburgh Pirates Roundtable:
Roundtable #1 — Well, here it is: The inaugural Pittsburgh Pirates Roundtable. I'd like to thank all of the Pirates' minds who have contributed this week—and I hope that you'll continue to do so in the future. I also want to encourage everyone to leave comments here. Voice your opinions.
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Brewers hunt for bargains — As meetings near, Melvin studies outfield situation — thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com — Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin has made significant trades at each of the past two major-league winter meetings, but he's not sure how easy it will be to keep that streak alive.
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ESPN:
Reds GM: Team got damaged goods from Nats — The Reds think they got damaged goods when they acquired reliever Gary Majewski from the Nationals last season. And now they are prepared to take their case to Major League Baseball. — "We don't feel like we were dealt with fairly …
Tom Withers / Associated Press:
Indians beef up bullpen, sign Hernandez, Fultz — CLEVELAND (AP) — The Indians added some much-needed experience and depth to their young bullpen Saturday, agreeing to one-year contracts with Roberto Hernandez and Aaron Fultz. — Hernandez, a 42-year-old right-hander, is guaranteed $3.5 million.
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