Top News:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Piniella says Soriano candidate for center — Lou Piniella's back acted up on him Saturday morning, forcing him to miss the first half of his first question-and-answer session with fans at the Cubs Convention at the Chicago Hilton. — Would the manager be the first Cub on the disabled list in 2007?
Discussion:
GROTA
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Piniella considering Soriano in center — Manager 'intrigued' by idea of star manning middle of outfield — CHICAGO — New Cubs manager Lou Piniella may have found the solution for center field at the Cubs Convention. What about Alfonso Soriano in center?
Discussion:
The Baseball Desert
Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
Add Theriot to Cubs' mix in center field — Lou Piniella has spent the week getting to know Chicago's icy weather up close and personal, meeting some of his new Cubs players and doing a little house hunting. Too bad the Cubs Convention opened Friday with the new manager feeling as if there is one piece of unfinished business.
Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
Talk timing key for 'Z' — All-Star pitcher Carlos Zambrano — sporting a new curly hairdo — was one of the main attractions Friday as the weekend Cubs Convention kicked off downtown. Zambrano's first order of business: Setting a deadline on reaching a multiyear contract with the Cubs.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
Bruce Miles / Daily Herald:
Zambrano trying to get 'business' taken care of — It's a seller's market for the rare pitcher of Carlos Zambrano's ability, and the Cubs ace knows it. — Zambrano received some of the loudest cheers Friday evening during the opening ceremonies of the Cubs convention. — He'll also be receiving bigger paychecks.
Discussion:
Chicago Sun Times
Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Pirates finalize LaRoche trade — Pittsburg sends closer Gonzalez to Atlanta for first baseman — PITTSBURGH — Chalk one up for persistence. — After months of negotiations, the Pittsburgh Pirates finally officially got their man on Friday by completing a four-player trade …
Discussion:
Wait 'Til Next Year
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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Littlefield seeks bench bat — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield sounded satisfied at acquiring Adam LaRoche, but not quite finished for the offseason. — "We liked Adam," Littlefield said.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
LaRoche's sweet swing signed and sealed — Slugger 'excited' by reaction to his joining Pirates — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — Maybe the most jarring admission Adam LaRoche could have made yesterday, when the Pirates officially acquired him, came with these two words:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Thorman solo at first base; Gonzalez 'pumped up' — After the Braves announced Friday the trade of first baseman Adam LaRoche to Pittsburgh for flamethrowing left-hander Mike Gonzalez, a few noteworthy statements came out of the news conference with general manager John Schuerholz and a phone call to Gonzalez:
Joe Starkey / PittsburghLIVE.com:Pirates general manager kept eye on ball
Discussion:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Blue Jays Are Trying to Stay With the Big Boys — By slipping ahead of the Red Sox in last season's final week, the Toronto Blue Jays enjoyed their best division finish since winning successive World Series in 1992 and '93. For a dozen years the Blue Jays had finished no better than third in the American League East.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
MLB.com:
Sosa's return a mixed bag — Slugger rekindles fond memories of '98, and suspicion — The potential reappearance of Sammy Sosa does not at first glance remind you of Gen. Douglas MacArthur's return to the Philippines. — "I shall return," MacArthur vowed in a moment of bitter defeat.
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Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:Blast from the past — Here's a curious case for all sides …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Jim Baker / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Matchups — PECOTA's Rookies — It's time, once again, to take a look at the young players with no major league experience who have the highest PECOTA ratings heading into the 2007 season. These aren't necessarily the top prospects in their respective organizations …
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Graffanino settles for one-year deal — Veteran infielder avoids salary arbitration — thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com — The Milwaukee Brewers' on-and-off courtship of Tony Graffanino culminated Friday when the veteran infielder agreed to a one-year deal for $3.25 million, avoiding salary arbitration.
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Astros ink Moehler to Minor League deal — Veteran right-hander will compete for a spot in Spring Training — HOUSTON — The Astros announced on Friday that they signed right-hander Brian Moehler to a Minor League contract and invited him to Spring Training.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
McPherson expected to miss most of year — A lower-back injury that limited Dallas McPherson to 61 games in 2005 and 40 games in 2006 probably will sideline the Angels infielder for most, if not all, of the 2007 season. — McPherson all but conceded Friday night that he would need surgery …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
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