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:
MLB Trade Rumors, MetsBlog.com, Baseball Musings, Oriole Post, Mets Fever, WasWatching.com, ShysterBall and Camden Chat
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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.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, MLB Trade Rumors, New York Post, The Transaction Guy, Red Sox Monster, Mets Refugees, MetsBlog.com and SOX & Dawgs
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 …
Discussion:
Fox Sports, NJ.com, ShysterBall, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Pinstripe Alley and People's Daily Online
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 …
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.
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ESPN:
Reports: Mets deal Milledge for Nats' Church, Schneider — The New York Mets have dealt outfielder Lastings Milledge to the Washington Nationals for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church, multiple media outlets reported Friday. — The Nationals announced they would hold …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets land Church, Schneider from Nats — Outfielder Milledge departs in deal intended to improve depth — NEW YORK — Convinced that they didn't undermine their chance to trade for a front-of-the-rotation pitcher by dealing Lastings Milledge, the Mets addressed two lesser yet critical needs …
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:
Fox Sports, SportsJustice, You can't script baseball, The Transaction Guy, Mets Refugees, Hot Foot and Rocky Mountain News
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Izturis in at shortstop; Eckstein appears out — The Cardinals have reached agreement with free agent shortstop Cesar Izturis on a one-year contract, industry sources confirmed Friday, suggesting that the club will sever ties with three-year incumbent and 2006 World Series MVP David Eckstein.
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MLB.com:
Cardinals sign free agent INF Cesar Izturis — Former Gold Glover & All-Star agrees to one-year deal for 2008 — ST. LOUIS — With hopes of improving upon the team's defensive play, the St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have agreed to terms on a one-year contract for 2008 …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:New voting format gives Herzog another shot at Hall
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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.
Jesse Spector / Touching Base:
Nine Innings: Tribe assistant GM Chris Antonetti — When the winter meetings get underway next week, Nashville will be abuzz with trade talk and free agent rumors. But Indians assistant GM Chris Antonetti and the rest of the Cleveland front office might have time to check out the Grand Ole Opry or maybe catch a Predators game.
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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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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