Top News:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
The latest from the winter meetings … The winter meetings are underway in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Stay tuned for the latest on trades, free-agent signings and the rumors we're hearing at Disney's Swan and Dolphin Resort: — All times ET — • There were reports out of Chicago today …
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Rangers setting sights on Zito — Quick hits from the winter meetings: — The Rangers are making a major push for free-agent left-hander Barry Zito, major league sources say, and continue to negotiate with free-agent right-hander Vicente Padilla. — Zito, 28, could end up with a six-year …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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 …
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Rangers ready to wish upon a star — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Contrary to perception, most of this winter's free agents remain just that — free agents. It only seems as if most of the top talent has already signed because five of the Rangers' nine free agents have departed.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Trading Sexson may be an option for Mariners — Ibanez might play first base if deal's made — ORLANDO — The Mariners are all but locked into Jose Guillen to play right field, and during the winter meetings that start this morning, the club's brass will talk to Luis Gonzalez about playing left field.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, Talking Chop, Ben Maller's Sports …, Can't Stop The Bleeding and MetsBlog.com
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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 …
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Avoiding Costly Moves — Rebuilding Nats Expect to Limit Spending for 2007 Roster — Two years ago, the Washington Nationals — shackled with a minuscule budget issued by their owners, Major League Baseball — signed Esteban Loaiza, a beleaguered right-hander, to a one-year, $2.9-million contract.
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment, MetsBlog.com, William F. Yurasko, District of Baseball and Ben Maller's Sports …
RELATED:
Brian J Oliver / Nationals Farm Authority:
"The Plan" — The 2006 MLB winter meetings begin today in Orlando …
"The Plan" — The 2006 MLB winter meetings begin today in Orlando …
Discussion:
Banks of the Anacostia
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Sox have agenda for meetings — ORLANDO, Fla. — Theo Epstein played the role of shadow adviser for the Red Sox when baseball's winter meetings were held last December in Dallas. That was during that murky period when the Sox were purportedly engaged in a search for his successor …
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
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Chris Jenkins / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Towers' $25 million chump change now
Towers' $25 million chump change now
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates cast wide net for lefty bat — Youngster with power is top priority as winter meetings open — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — He is the Pirates' perceived missing piece in the lineup. — He is young, large, left-handed and strong enough …
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
RELATED:
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Isringhausen is ahead of schedule — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Less than three months after undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery, closer Jason Isringhausen insists the Cardinals should plan on him being available to pitch the ninth inning on opening day. — "I'm tired of other people doing my job," Isringhausen said this weekend.
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Will's Mill — Enjoy the Silence — The Winter Meetings opened with ... a resounding silence. As the baseball world descended on Orlando, the action was limited to dinner. Jenn Sterger and I dined near Theo Epstein, but I seemed no closer to signing Daisuke Matsuzaka than he did.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Chris Girandola / MLB.com:
'Do The Wright Thing' gala a big success — Benefit raises funds and awareness for children's causes — NEW YORK — Snoballs. — Ring Dings. — Yodels. — Twinkies. — The dessert tray inside the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square on Saturday night spoke volumes about David Wright's flair when it comes to special events.
Discussion:
It's Outta Here!
Baseball America:
Los Angeles Angels — Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Mark Michael / story.scout.com:
Scout.com Roundtable: Rule V Draft Preview — The MLB Rule V Draft concludes the Winter Meetings and is, sometimes, the highlight of a team's off-season. While we hope it does not come to that for your team, Scout.com has convened the roundtable to discuss 36 prospects that are eligible …
Yahoo! Sports:
Giants sign IF Aurilia to two-year deal — ORLANDO, FLORIDA (TICKER) — After a three-year hiatus, Rich Aurilia is back in the bay area. — The San Francisco Giants on Monday announced the signing of Aurilia, who played with the team from 1995-2003, to a two-year contract. — Financial terms were not disclosed.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
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 …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Yankees 2000:
10 Reasons Why Barry Zito Is Already My Favorite Met — (Note: Today's the debut for a new writer here at Y2K, Lou Monte. Lou's gonna be handling Monday mornings around here, and we're excited to have him on the team. Sip will be in with a post later this afternoon.