Top News:
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Buehrle, others talk money at SoxFest — White Sox have decisions to make about future free agents — CHICAGO — The question was asked of Mark Buehrle maybe once, maybe twice, maybe even a handful of times. — Well, in reality, it probably was asked about 15 or 20 times of Buehrle …
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Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Erstad foresees a title for the Sox—and Bears — Being an ex-football player at Nebraska and this being his first day in Chicago, Darin Erstad was asked who was going to win the Super Bowl. — "Bears," he said without hesitation. — Aha, the newest member of the White Sox is a quick learner.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Sox GM prepares to enter lions' den — Erstad signing may take some of the heat off Ken Williams — General manager Ken Williams will bring much welcomed relief to douse the verbal flames directed at him Friday when sold-out SoxFest opens. — That break will come from Darin Erstad …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox want Uribe in condition — The White Sox remain hopeful embattled shortstop Juan Uribe will report to spring training on time and in shape. — General manager Ken Williams said Friday he was informed that a man who accused Uribe of firing shots at him and a friend in an Oct. 12 incident …
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Weaver agrees on deal with Mariners — A World Series ring, a restructured one-year contract and his former manager's personal touch were not enough to keep Jeff Weaver in St. Louis. — The righthander accepted a more lucrative offer Friday from the rebuilding Seattle Mariners, according to sources familiar with the situation.
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Gregg Bell / Associated Press:
Weaver and Mariners close in on 1-year deal for $8,325,000 — SEATTLE (AP) — Jeff Weaver and the Seattle Mariners have just about finalized a one-year contract worth $8,325,000 — the same salary he had last year. — Only minor details remain for the deal to be worked out …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Pirates re-introduce red to uniforms — Bucs unveil new alternative home jerseys for 2007 season — PITTSBURGH — There's an initiative from the Mayor's office here to clean up the city called, "Let's Redd Up Pittsburgh." — To Redd up, for those not familiar with Pittsburghese …
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Loss of Weaver leaves Armas — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates sound determined to add a right-handed starter. — Even though Jeff Weaver, their most recent target, officially went to the Seattle Mariners yesterday. — And even though the well of free agents is nearly dry.
Discussion:
Bucco Blog
Associated Press:
Delegation to visit Ghana to promote baseball — NEW YORK — New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya will be among a delegation of baseball officials going to Accra, Ghana, next week to hold a clinic and promote baseball. — Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, former San Francisco …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Keith Law / ESPN:
Yankees' farm system packed with punch … The Yankees have long had the game's biggest payroll, but their farm system has lain fallow for several years, the result of some uninspired draft picks and trades that rid the system of the few prospects who remained.
Fox Sports:
Cubs only have a decent shot to win NL Central — How much do faith and hope cost on the North Side of Chicago? — A plausible guess might be $300 million. This winter, the Cubs, after the recent signing of outfielder Cliff Floyd to a one-year, $3-million pact, have spent …
Jesse Noyes / Boston Herald:
Capitol idea: Senator Schilling? Curt's not so sure, but fans think he's just the ticket — Curt Schilling seemed surprised yesterday by the sudden groundswell of local supporters hoping to draft him into national politics and a 2008 Senate run against John Kerry.
Michael Ferraresi / Arizona Republic:
Emmy award stolen from Brenly's home — An Emmy award was stolen from the Scottsdale home of former Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly, police said Friday.The uniquely engraved trophy, which Brenly earned for his part of a Chicago Cubs play-by-play tandem last season …
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Ripken, Gwynn promote Aspire Gala — Annual event supports Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation — BALTIMORE — Sometime soon, they'll share the stage again. Recent Hall of Fame electees Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn brought Cooperstown to the Baltimore Convention Center on Friday …
Discussion:
Oriole Post
Eric Justic / MLB.com:
Hernandez on a roll in playoffs — Infielder leads Dominican Winter League with a .387 average — Anderson Hernandez is the leading hitter in the Dominican Winter League playoffs, with a .387 average in 19 games for the Tigres del Licey. — Hernandez did not play in the first two games …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Seeking Edge in China, Yankees Put Baseball First — The Yankees consider themselves the most driven team in a competitive sport, so their push to boost baseball in China is not purely altruistic. They believe there is talent to be cultivated in China, and when future prospects have a choice …
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