Top News:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves' top-heavy payroll presents problems — You want to know why the Braves must trade Marcus Giles and/or Adam LaRoche in order to improve their pitching staff and stay within budget? I'll tell you. Rather, I'll show you. — Because seven guys are eating up 80 percent or slightly more of the $80 million payroll.
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves trade Ramirez for solid set-up man — Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — The Braves got the elite setup man they wanted Wednesday when they agreed to trade injury-plagued starting pitcher Horacio Ramirez to Seattle for reliever Rafael Soriano, who has a 2.89 career ERA and 177 strikeouts in 171 innings.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Braves pull trade offer from Pirates — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Pirates' proposed trade with Atlanta — closer Mike Gonzalez to the Braves for first baseman Adam LaRoche — was quashed tonight. — Atlanta general manager John Schuerholz pulled …
Bill Shanks / braves.scout.com:
First on The Braves Show: Ramirez for Soriano — The Atlanta Braves have traded Horacio Ramirez to Seattle. The Braves Show's Bill Shanks has more. — The Braves Show has learned that the Atlanta Braves have traded left-handed starter Horacio Ramirez to the Seattle Mariners for right-handed reliever Rafael Soriano.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:Angels have little chance to get Ramirez or LaRoche
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Dodgers reach agreement with Schmidt — ORLANDO, Fla. - The Dodgers have landed the biggest free-agent pitching prize to date, reaching a preliminary agreement on a three-year, $47 million contract with right-hander Jason Schmidt, FOXSports.com has learned.
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Greg Maddux / ESPN:
Dodgers replace Maddux with ace Schmidt — The Dodgers, who lost three players to free agency on Tuesday, reloaded in a big way Wednesday. — Free-agent pitcher Jason Schmidt and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a three-year contract worth $47 million. — The team has been in the market …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Schmidt's signing could impact Zito, Suppan — The Dodgers' signing of right-hander Jason Schmidt to a three-year, $47 million contract could have a significant impact on the markets for two remaining free-agent starters, left-hander Barry Zito and right-hander Jeff Suppan.
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
I Love the Smell of Rumor in the Morning — It's a terrible, terrible thing when you realize at dinner that your new phone isn't sending the e-mails you've written. As a result, I apologize for no new information during the day, but honestly, you didn't miss much.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cubs ink Lilly to four-year deal — ORLANDO, Fla. - The Cubs continued their off-season spending spree Wednesday, reaching preliminary agreement with free-agent left-hander Ted Lilly on a four-year, $40 million contract, FOXSports.com has learned. — Lilly, who turns 31 on Jan. 4, becomes the Cubs' first major pitching acquisition.
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Lilly's agent set to meet with Yankees … LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Ted Lilly still isn't sure where he'll be pitching in 2007. But it won't be in Toronto. — Lilly crossed the Blue Jays off his list Wednesday and has narrowed his possible destinations to the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Pettitte Delays Retirement to Play in 2007 — Andy Pettitte has decided to play in 2007, his agent said Wednesday. If Pettitte wants to stay home, he will continue to pitch for the Houston Astros. But if he wants the most money — and a reunion with his former teammates — he will return to the Yankees.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
George King / New York Post:
SEXSON MIGHT BE 1ST OPTION — While the Yankees met with Shea Hillenbrand's agent yesterday, another option at first base surfaced. And while Richie Sexson is an expensive alternative, it could be one for the Yankees. — The Mariners have let teams know they are looking to move Sexson …
Associated Press:
Piazza close to deal with A's, who add Embree — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Oakland Athletics and left-handed reliever Alan Embree agreed to terms on a two-year contract Wednesday, and the club also was closing in on a deal with Mike Piazza to be designated hitter.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
A's appear on verge of signing Piazza — ORLANDO, Fla. — The Rangers are out of the bidding for Mike Piazza, the strongest indication yet that the A's are on the verge of signing the free-agent catcher, FOXSports.com has learned. — Piazza, 38, would be the A's full-time designated hitter …
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:A's get Embree, very close on Piazza
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Growing dissent over CBA — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Less than six weeks after baseball's owners and players' union agreed to a new five-year labor contract, signs of dissent are coming from top executives concerned with rocketing salaries. — "I'm already lamenting it," …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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Sports Illustrated:
Mets to meet with A's, seek Harden — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Mets are expected to meet with Oakland today about acquiring right-hander Rich Harden or possibly another of the A's top starting pitchers, SI.com has learned. — A's GM Billy Beane is due to arrive here Wednesday night.
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
As Nats Plan for Future, Acta Embraces Present — Manny Acta is all too aware that even the people who run the Washington Nationals are bracing for the looming storm that could be the 2007 season, one in which the club is brazenly frank about how bad it might be.
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Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
All is not Wells for Williams — White Sox GM sits tight, with his eye out for a young pitcher — ORLANDO — On Ken Williams' side of the table, the chips are stacked high, like the skyline of Chicago. Other players eye him enviously, waiting to see how he will play his hand.
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