Top News:
Associated Press:
Red Sox agree to 4-year, $36M deal with Lugo — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox reached a preliminary agreement Tuesday with shortstop Julio Lugo that would pay him $36 million over the next four years. — Details of the agreement were provided to The Associated Press …
RELATED:
Sports Illustrated:
Manny trade talks 'all but dead' — Red Sox fail to find match for Hall of Fame slugger — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Red Sox are about to call a halt to the Manny Ramirez trade-a-thon, leaving five teams disappointed to varying degrees (six if you count the Yankees).
Discussion:
Purple Row
Sports Illustrated:
Red Sox get Drew — Former Dodgers outfielder signs for five years, $70M — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — J.D. Drew completed his long-talked-about deal with the Boston Red Sox, agreeing to a five-year, $70 million offer (pending a physical) to be their right fielder, SI.com has learned.
Discussion:
Extra Bases
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Red Sox closing in on free-agent SS Lugo — The Red Sox, stalled in their efforts to trade left fielder Manny Ramirez, are closing in on their second major off-season acquisition, nearing agreement with free-agent shortstop Julio Lugo on a four-year, $36 million contract.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Sox agree to deal with Drew — Veteran to sign reported five-year, $70 million contract — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Ending weeks of speculation, the Red Sox plucked talented outfielder J.D. Drew off the free-agent market, agreeing to terms with the left-handed hitter on a reported five-year $70-million contract.
Drew Silverman PA SportsTicker / Yahoo! Sports: Red Sox sign OF Drew to five-year, $70 million contract
ESPN:
Maddux agrees to 1-year, $10M deal with Padres — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Greg Maddux and the San Diego Padres reached agreement Tuesday night on a $10 million, one-year contract. — The deal for the four-time Cy Young Award winner contains a $6 million player option for 2008.
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Padres, Maddux close to a deal — The Padres' negotiations with free-agent right-hander Greg Maddux are in the "dotting-the-i's-and-crossing-the- t's stage," according to a source close to the negotiations. — The Padres are offering Maddux, 40, a one-year contract with a club option for 2008, according to a major-league source.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:The latest from the winter meetings
Discussion:
Talking Chop, Lone Star Ball, The Cub Reporter, MLB Trade Rumors, MetsBlog.com and Purple Row
Sports Illustrated:
Yankees close to Pettitte deal — Veteran lefty may delay retirement; news and notes — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Yankees' search for a starting pitcher that will keep them from having to bank on a healthy Carl Pavano and Randy Johnson is narrowing. As Vicente Padilla came off …
Discussion:
Off the Facade, Yanksfan vs Soxfan, Pinstripe Alley, Bronx Banter and The Crawfish Boxes
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Market for veteran closer Gagne is heating up — ORLANDO, Fla. - Quick hits from the winter meetings: — The market for free-agent right-hander Eric Gagne is intensifying, according to a source with knowledge of the reliever's situation. — Some teams want Gagne to ease back into the closer's role …
Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Winter Meetings Whispers: Day 2 — Astros southpaw Pettitte considering another season — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — A possible decision by free-agent left-hander Andy Pettitte, the latest Manny Ramirez theories and various trade scenarios were the most persistent whispers of Day 2 of the Winter Meetings.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Mets turn attention to Mulder — Waiting to hear from Zito, team officials meet with Cards lefty — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — While the Mets wait to hear more about Barry Zito's interest, the organization has moved forward with another one of pitching coach Rick Peterson's former pupils, left-hander Mark Mulder.
RELATED:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers won't go too high on Zito — GM Daniels spending cautiously; team eyes several options — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Rangers are talking to Scott Boras about free-agent pitcher Barry Zito. — One side doesn't want to talk about $100 million. The other side probably wants to talk about that and much more.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Mets in talks to land reliever Burgos — ORLANDO, Fla. - The Mets, seeking to bolster their bullpen with a young power arm, are discussing a trade in which they would land right-hander Ambiorix Burgos from the Royals for a pitching prospect, FOXSports.com has learned.
RELATED:
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Will's Mill — More From Orlando — The Manny Ramirez sweepstakes are heating up, with the talk now shifting from the Dodgers (whose offer of LaRoche and Broxton fell short) to the Angels, who are reluctant to offer Scot Shields plus one of their top prospects.
Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Notes: Bucs in no hurry to make moves — Pirates' surplus of young pitching has teams interested — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — In a market where productive pitchers with relatively little big-league service seem to be coveted as much as established starting starters and middle-of-the-lineup boppers …
Scot Gregor / Daily Herald:
AL Buzz: Rowand return to White Sox still possible — ORLANDO, Fla. - When asked about the chances of reacquiring center fielder Aaron Rowand in a trade from the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams hardly sounded optimistic.
