Top News:
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles, Bedard stall on contract — Talks on extension cool, but aren't over — Contract extension talks between the Orioles and Erik Bedard stalled yesterday, increasing the likelihood that team officials will spend part of next week's winter meetings contemplating trade offers for the ace left-hander.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Baseball Musings, Oriole Post, Mets Fever, ShysterBall, WasWatching.com, Camden Chat and Fox Sports
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Sports Illustrated:
A's willing to deal Haren — Oakland All-Star joins Santana on trade market — Johan Santana has company on the trade market. According to league sources, the A's, within the past couple days, have begun calling teams to seek interest in star pitcher Dan Haren, one of the better right-handers in the American League.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Angels could make run at Santana — LIKE THIS STORY? — The Angels' trade for Jon Garland and signing of Torii Hunter both were stunners. The acquisition of Johan Santana would qualify as an even bigger surprise. — The team's payroll currently is $123 million, according to a club source.
Jack Curry / New York Times:
It's Not About Money in Pettitte Wait — Seven weeks after Andy Pettitte's season ended with the Yankees, he is no closer to deciding if he will return and pitch for them again next season. Tom Pettitte, Andy's father, said yesterday that Pettitte has not determined if he will retire …
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Jorge Posada wants Yankees to trade for Johan Santana — Jorge Posada has a very simple wish this holiday season: Johan Santana in pinstripes. — Posada, whose four-year, $52.4 million deal, agreed to more than two weeks ago, was finally announced yesterday, made it clear during …
Boston Globe:
Sox, Twins make some pitches — Santana talks are starting to heat up — Two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana went 15-13 with 235 strikeouts for the Twins last season. (FILE/TONY DEJAK/Associated Press) — Though Jon Lester expressed a desire to remain with the Red Sox …
Geoff Baker / Seattle Times:
Mariners among Santana pursuers — Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana is one of several players the Mariners have inquired about heading into next week's baseball winter meetings. — Multiple sources in Minnesota and elsewhere in baseball indicated Thursday that the Mariners have already spoken with the Twins about their top pitcher.
Associated Press:
Mets GM says he won't trade Reyes — NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets need pitching and they'd love to land Johan Santana. Not enough to trade star shortstop Jose Reyes, though. — "Jose Reyes is one of our core players," general manager Omar Minaya said Thursday.
Jack Curry / New York Times:Yankees and Red Sox Competing for Santana
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Around the Majors, MY BASEBALL BIAS, TwinCities.com and Sports Illustrated
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Torrealba signs deal for two years, option — The Rockies don't know what's on second after losing out on Kazuo Matsui and Mark Loretta, but are certain of who their catcher will be. Yorvit Torrealba's boomerang free-agent tour ended Thursday as he returned to the Rockies, signing a two-year …
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Jose De Jesus Ortiz / Houston Chronicle:
Astros set to sign 2B Kaz Matsui — Barring some unforeseen developments, the Astros will sign free-agent second baseman Kazuo Matsui, a person with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed to the Chron-icle. — The Chicago Cubs and Colorado Rockies, his current team, also have coveted Matsui.
Bruce Miles / Daily Herald:Report: Astros beat Cubs to Matsui
Discussion:
SportsJustice, Fox Sports, You can't script baseball, The Transaction Guy, Mets Refugees, Hot Foot and Rocky Mountain News
MLB.com:
Tigers agree to terms on one-year deals with Kenny Rogers and Francisco Cruceta — DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers announced today that the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with left-handed pitcher Kenny Rogers and right-handed pitcher Francisco Cruceta.
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Rowand keeping options open — Chicago cult hero waiting for free-agent market to play out — LAS VEGAS — You can take Aaron Rowand out of Chicago but you can't take Chicago out of Aaron Rowand. — Sitting in a Las Vegas resort over lunch Wednesday, Rowand came dressed …
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USA Today:
It's time for Marvin Miller to get his Hall of Fame pass — Thirty-some years ago, the Philadelphia Phillies' player representative slipped me a document during spring training that listed the salary of every player on the team. — I was shocked at the numbers — Mike Schmidt was earning $560,000 …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets trade Milledge to Nats — The Mets have traded Lastings Milledge to the Nationals for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church, a baseball official confirmed this afternoon. Milledge was believed to be a major chip in the Mets' pursuit of an elite starting pitcher this offseason, but that apparently was not the case.
Canadian Press:
Blue Jays prepare for quiet winter meetings — SHI DAVIDI — The Toronto Blue Jays head to next week's winter meetings with an open mind and nothing firm on their agenda. — Unlike the past few years, general manager J.P. Ricciardi and his staff don't have any specific goals …
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins announce spring schedule — Team will open against University of Miami on Feb. 26 — MIAMI — Marlins pitchers and catchers will undergo their physicals for Spring Training on Feb. 17, and workouts will begin the next day at the Roger Dean Stadium complex in Jupiter, Fla.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Denver Post:
Deals in place for key cogs in playoff run — Torrealba, Herges OK deals with Colorado — Catcher Yorvit Torrealba and reliever Matt Herges have reached contract agreements with the Rockies and returned to Denver on Wednesday for physicals, multiple sources told The Denver Post.
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