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.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Mondesishouse.com, Bucco Wire, The Nationals Enquirer, Hot Foot and The Parrot
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.
Discussion:
zwire.townnews.biz, Roto Authority Fantasy …, Bucs Trade Winds, MLB Trade Rumors and Bucco Wire
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.
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers see Sosa as a middle man — Rangers manager Ron Washington and hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo caution that Sammy Sosa won't be awarded a roster spot simply based on a resume that includes 588 career home runs. — But the new manager was impressed enough by what he saw Monday …
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Prior success worthless? — Despite injury-filled career, Cubs pitcher doesn't deserve pay cut — While being introduced during the opening of last year's Cubs Convention, Mark Prior was greeted by a rousing ovation and the chant, "No trade, no trade." — Responding to media reports …
RELATED:
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs kick off caravan with good news — Offseason progress of recovering hurlers has team optimistic — CHICAGO — The Cubs began their winter Cubs Caravan tour on Wednesday with good news regarding Mark Prior, who is throwing off the mound and making good progress.
Discussion:
Wrigleyville23
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
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:
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.
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 …
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 …
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.
