Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Sources: Braves trade LaRoche to Bucs for Gonzalez … The Pittsburgh Pirates, filling their need for a left-handed power bat, acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche from the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday for lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez, two sources confirmed to ESPN.com.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
At last: Bucs acquire LaRoche from Braves for closer Gonzalez — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates' two-month wait to try to swing a deal for Atlanta power hitter Adam LaRoche ended Wednesday when they agreed to acquire the first baseman for left-handed closer Mike Gonzalez and another player.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Bucs agree to deal for Braves' LaRoche — Pittsburgh agrees in principle on trade for power hitter — PITTSBURGH — After more than a month of speculation, the Pirates and Braves agreed in principle Wednesday to a deal that would send Pittsburgh closer Mike Gonzalez to Atlanta …
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates on verge of getting LaRoche — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates have reached agreement with the Atlanta Braves to acquire first baseman Adam LaRoche in exchange for closer Mike Gonzalez and another player, though that player's identity is not yet known.
Charlie / Bucs Dugout:
Bucs Trade Gonzalez, Lillibridge for LaRoche, Romak — Adam LaRoche (MLB.com) — The Pirates have apparently traded Mike Gonzalez and an unnamed player for Adam LaRoche. LaRoche just needs to take a physical. We should know soon who the other player is. Seriously, I can barely contain my excitement.
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Putz agrees to three-year contract — Reliever had 36 saves in first season as Mariners' closer — SEATTLE — When J.J. Putz finally reached his former teammate and good friend Eddie Guardado by phone earlier this week, Putz didn't waste time with any ordinary salutation. — Instead, Putz offered but one word.
Discussion:
The Griddle
RELATED:
Gregg Bell / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:Mariners' Putz gets $13.1 million deal
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Sosa, Rangers agree in principle to deal — Dominican slugger is fifth on the all-time homers list with 588 — ARLINGTON — Sammy Sosa is coming back to the Rangers. — The two sides have reached an agreement in principle, and now general manager Jon Daniels and agent Adam Katz are trying to work out the final details.
RELATED:
Bryan Smith / Sports Illustrated:
Top prospects: Nos. 75-61 — Humber, Pedroia could make big league impact in '07 — Few players are as highly valued within an organization as its prospects. For the fourth consecutive year, I will rank the top 75 prospects in baseball (and honorable mentions), beginning with Nos. 75-61 and counting down the next five weekdays.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
RELATED:
Dionisio Soldevila / Associated Press:
Bonds: McGwire and Rose belong in Hall of Fame — SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Barry Bonds thinks Mark McGwire and Pete Rose belong in the Hall of Fame. — The Baseball Writers' Association of America elected Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn to the Hall last week, but denied McGwire.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Won't Trade Their Future at the Present Time — The telephone calls keep coming, so Mets General Manager Omar Minaya keeps listening. But trading away premium talent for a modest starter is not going to happen. So Minaya has resisted all comers, and will take a chance …
Rob Neyer / ESPN:
Matsuzaka needs to shoot for Nomo's numbers … With all due respect to Greg Maddux, Barry Zito and Jose Mesa, there's really not much competition for the title Hottest Pitcher Acquisition of the Offseason. Clearly, that great honor goes to Daisuke Matsuzaka, Boston's $103.1 million man.
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
For Coste, coast is not clear — Phillies catcher likely to be relegated to reserve role — PHILADELPHIA — Sitting at a table marked for him as a guest on the Phillies' Winter Tour, Chris Coste rehashed stories about his year of personal satisfaction and the subsequent calm offseason.
Associated Press:
Nationals agree to deals with Snelling, 12 others — WASHINGTON (AP) — Outfielder Chris Snelling agreed to a $450,000, one-year contract with the Washington Nationals, who exchanged arbitration figures with five players Tuesday. — Among those submitting arbitration figures were starter John Patterson …
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Holliday's salary soars in 2007 — Outfielder climbs to $4.4 million after $500,000 year — Matt Holliday shaved his head this offseason, no longer interested in the fuss to get ready. — The Rockies felt similarly about his contract on Tuesday, signing the outfielder …
Jim Caple / ESPN:
A site you can't take your eyes off — Ferguson Jenkins lost six games by 1-0 scores in 1968. — Barry Bonds has earned $172 million in salary over his career. The attendance at the final game at Ebbets Field was 6,702 (no wonder the Dodgers moved). January 17 is the birthday of Chili Davis …
Rich Draper / MLB.com:
Around the Horn: Middle infielders — Experience rules at heart of Giants' defense … SAN FRANCISCO — There's a new Giants TV series airing next baseball season: "Two Men and a Kid." — The cast? Shortstop Omar Vizquel, 39, second baseman Ray Durham, 35, and the promising sprite …
Marc Normandin / Baseball Prospectus:
Player Profile — Julio Lugo — Julio Lugo is the new shortstop for the Red Sox, after years of rumors that the organization was looking to acquire him. As a player, Lugo is not exactly a model of consistency. He's been a plus glove some years, a minus glove in others …
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Unsigned Bonds Awaits Further Review — Six weeks after they agreed to terms on new contracts, Barry Bonds and J. D. Drew remain unsigned. Bonds hasn't signed with the Giants; Drew hasn't signed with the Red Sox. That prompts a thought. If both contracts were to fall through …
