Top News:
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.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Beyond the Box Score, MetsBlog.com, Take the 7 Train, Lone Star Ball, We've Got Heart, Where have you gone …, Nats Triple Play, The Transaction Guy, Faith and Fear in Flushing, Knuckle Curve, Amazin' Avenue, ShysterBall, Mets Geek, Babes Love Baseball, The Bronx Block, Mostly Mets and The Big Lead
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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 …
Discussion:
Lone Star Mets, Mets Fever, Global New York Mets Fan Blog, nyfuturestars.com and Hot Foot
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 …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals acquire Milledge from Mets — Washington parts with outfielder Church, catcher Schneider — WASHINGTON — In need of an athletic outfielder, the Nationals have traded catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church to the Mets for outfielder Lastings Milledge, a league official confirmed Friday.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals acquire Milledge from Mets — Washington parts with outfielder Church, catcher Schneider — WASHINGTON — In need of an athletic outfielder, the Nationals on Friday traded catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church to the Mets in exchange for outfielder Lastings Milledge.
Discussion:
Betty's No Good Clothes Shop …
Chris Needham / Capitol Punishment:Milledge A Nat! — Metsblog says that the Nats have traded Ryan Church …
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:
Oriole Post, MLB Trade Rumors, Mets Fever, WasWatching.com, MetsBlog.com, Baseball Musings, ShysterBall, 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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, FanHouse, Boston Globe, New York Post, The Transaction Guy, South Side Sox, Red Sox Monster and Mets Refugees
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Yankees leaning toward putting Hughes in deal for Santana … A pivotal sticking point in the Yankees' trade talks with Minnesota about Johan Santana is the question of whether New York will include talented right-hander Phil Hughes in their offer. — And, within the internal discussions …
Jack Curry / New York Times:It's Not About Money in Pettitte Wait
Discussion:
Fox Sports, NJ.com, The LoHud Yankees Blog, New York Post, Pinstripe Alley, ShysterBall and People's Daily Online
Boston Globe:Sox, Twins make some pitches
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, New York Post, New York Times, Peter's Red Sox Forever and The Soxaholix
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.
Discussion:
Fox Sports, MLB Trade Rumors, Associated Press, MLB Rumors, Home Run Derby and Cardinals Diaspora
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Derrick Goold / Baseball America:
St. Louis Cardinals — Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched …
Discussion:
The Gas House Gang
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 …
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 …
RELATED:
Jose De Jesus Ortiz / Houston Chronicle:Astros set to sign 2B Kaz Matsui
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Up in the Rockies, Daily Herald, Baseball Musings and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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.
Bill James / Sports Illustrated:
Mr. Clutch — Big Papi, Chipper, Pujols come through when it counts … Back in the early days of sabermetrics, when dinosaurs roamed the American League Western Division, we made a very fundamental mistake. A friend of mine wrote an article asserting, essentially, that clutch hitters don't exist.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
