Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
Sources: Santana has Red Sox-Twins talking deal … The Red Sox and Twins are discussing the framework of a Johan Santana deal that would have Boston sending four players to Minnesota in return for the two-time Cy Young Award winner, including center fielder Coco Crisp, pitcher Jon Lester …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, SOX & Dawgs, Rays Anatomy, River Ave. Blues, The Joy of Sox, The Transaction Guy, Hot Foot and MY BASEBALL BIAS
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TwinCities.com:
CHARLEY WALTERS: Red Sox take lead in race to obtain Twins pitcher Johan Santana — A little birdie says the Boston Red Sox have become the favorite in the Johan Santana trade sweepstakes. — The Twins would receive four players for the Twins' two-time Cy Young Award winner, including center fielder Coco Crisp, 28.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, FanHouse, SOX & Dawgs, Peter's Red Sox Forever, River Ave. Blues, Yanksfan vs Soxfan and MY BASEBALL BIAS
Aaron / AaronGleeman.com:
Breaking Down The Blockbuster — With the baseball world buzzing over Johan Santana trade scenarios and the annual Winter Meetings just days away, the Twins made an unexpected big splash Wednesday by sending Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett, and Eduardo Morlan to the Devil Rays for Delmon Young, Brendan Harris, and Jason Pridie.
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
No contract talks have started on Santana — As of early tonight, Johan Santana's agent had not yet begun negotiating with any team regarding a contract extension for the Minnesota Twins' prized lefthanded starter, according to a major league source. — If contract discussions were underway …
Discussion:
MY BASEBALL BIAS
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:Sox cautious in pursuit of Santana
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Joel Sherman / New York Post:METSÂ' OFFER FALLS SHORT
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Newsday, NY Daily News, Ya Gotta Believe, MY BASEBALL BIAS, Over the Monster, Hot Foot, FanHouse, Mets Merized Online, Oriole Post, The Heater and Lone Star Ball
MLB.com:
Yankees sign catcher Jorge Posada to a four-year contract — The New York Yankees announced today they have signed switch-hitting catcher Jorge Posada to a four-year contract. — Posada, 36, batted a career-high and team-high .338 (171-for-506) in 2007 with the Yankees, ranking fourth in the American League in batting average.
Discussion:
MY BASEBALL BIAS
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ESPN.com:
A-Rod, Rivera in wings now that Yankees finalize Posada's new $52.4M deal — NEW YORK — The way Jorge Posada sees it, the New York Yankees must add an ace to their rotation. That's why he wants Johan Santana pitching in pinstripes next year. — "We need a No. 1," Posada said Thursday …
NY Daily News:
Barry Bonds begins assembling legal dream team; eyes famed attorney Keker — As Barry Bonds prepares for his first appearance in court on perjury and obstruction of justice charges in San Francisco next Friday, he has begun assembling what could be the most powerful legal Dream Team since the O.J. Simpson murder trial.
Discussion:
Associated Press
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Rumors: Rolen, Andruw, Mench — MLB.com's Adam McCalvy posted a Brewers article yesterday that's worthy of discussion. — One reliever Doug Melvin has considered that I hadn't heard before: Eddie Guardado. Hey, at least he'd come cheap. — Players like Rickie Weeks, J.J. Hardy, and Corey Hart won't be moved.
RELATED:
Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:Doesn't hurt to ask — As GM Doug Melvin checks around for ways …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Trading a superstar isn't the easiest thing to do … It isn't often, here at International Rumblings Headquarters, that we launch our very own reality show. But we've done it this week, in a spectacular, one-week-only blitz of inspiration that we're calling: — "So You Think You Can Be a GM.
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Yankees Top 11 Prospects — Four-Star Prospects — Three-Star Prospects — Two-Star Prospects — Just Missing: Frank Cervelli, C; Jeff Marquez, RHP; Ross Ohlendorf, RHP; Brad Suttle, 3B — 1. Joba Chamberlain, RHP — Drafted: 1st round, 2006, University of Nebraska
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Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
Could MLB Get a Pass on the Mitchell Report? — With the end of November upon us, the much anticipated Mitchell Report on performance enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball will be released shortly. Sources with the Mitchell investigation have confirmed that the report will be released …
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
Source: Reliever Riske close to agreeing to multiyear deal with Brewers … David Riske, the veteran relief pitcher who compiled a 2.45 ERA in 65 games for the Kansas City Royals last season, is on the verge of agreeing to a multiyear deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to a club source.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Rays, Percival near 2-year, $8M deal — FOXSports.com, Updated 28 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — Six months ago, Troy Percival was out of baseball. — Now, he is on the verge of signing a two-year, $8 million contract with the Rays, according to major-league sources.
People's Daily Online:
Yankees can return to greatness, Damon says — The New York Yankees can end their barren World Series run next year and return the franchise to their glory days, according to outfielder Johnny Damon. — The Yankees last won the World Series in 2000, but have not made it to the "Fall Classic" since 2003.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Mets scrambling for top-notch starter — LIKE THIS STORY? — Of all the clubs trying to trade for an elite starting pitcher, the Mets appear to be scrambling the most. — The Yankees, Diamondbacks and Dodgers can offer better packages of young players than the Mets for a top starter, major league sources say.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Athletics Nation, Yahoo! Sports, Mets Fever, Hot Foot and MetsBlog.com
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Veteran rotation insurance sought — The Rockies have the makings of a solid rotation. — But general manager Dan O'Dowd wants depth in case one of the young pitchers struggles or if injuries crop up, similar to a year ago. — So, the Rockies are close to re- signing veteran Mark Redman …
