Top News:
NY Daily News:
Yankees decide to offer Phil Hughes in package for Johan Santana — After two days of internal discussions among front-office executives, the Yankees swallowed hard Friday and decided to offer Phil Hughes to the Twins as part of the trade package they hope will land them Johan Santana.
Discussion:
Fox Sports, River Ave. Blues, Twins Geek, The Bronx Block, WasWatching.com, MLB Rumors, FanHouse, SOX & Dawgs, Pinstripe Alley and Hot Foot
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Twin suitors — Sox' Santana pitch gets push from Yankees … In a development that could help Johan Santana wind up in pinstripes, there were indications last night from a major league source that if the Yankees were to include Philip Hughes in a deal with the Twins, it would be enough to make the trade happen.
Boston Globe:
Trade of Santana to Sox is not close — They don't expect deal before meetings — The question posed by Jonathan Papelbon last night to a small group of reporters at an awards dinner thrown by the Lowell Spinners was no different from the one preoccupying Red Sox fans all week.
Joe McDonald / Providence Journal:
Shadow of Himself — Rewind two years, to the offseason of 2005-06. — The Red Sox needed a center fielder after Johnny Damon signed with the Yankees as a free agent. The Red Sox brass decided Coco Crisp would be the perfect replacement. — Crisp was 26 years old …
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
Sports Illustrated:
Twins want Hughes from Yankees — Including young right-hander might land Santana — Yankees people are debating now whether to give in to Minnesota's demands that Phil Hughes be included in trade talks involving Johan Santana. If the Yankees ultimately surrender Hughes …
Buster Olney / ESPN:Yankees leaning toward putting Hughes in deal for Santana
Discussion:
Seattle Times
Mark Healey / Online Home of Gotham Baseball Magazine:
Going Nine: Minaya, Milledge and 10, 000 Maniacs — For the past three years, Gotham Baseball Magazine has tracked, reported and discussed every single trade rumor involving former No. 1 pick Lastings Milledge. So to say that his trade to he Nationals on Friday was an unlooked for event would be incorrect.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets trade Lastings Milledge for Brian Schneider, Ryan Church — Lastings Milledge catches a flyball against the Astros at Shea Stadium. He'll be doing that in a Nationals uniform next season. — The Mets got Brian Schneider, a solid defensive catcher who ranked fourth in the NL in throwing …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
ESPN:Reports: Mets deal Milledge for Nats' Church, Schneider
Discussion:
DC Pro Sports Report, Catfish Stew, Federal Baseball, MiracleMets.net, Babes Love Baseball and Newsday
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Colon heading to free agency — Halos opt not to offer former Cy Young winner arbitration — ANAHEIM — The Angels, according to assistant general manager Ken Forsch, are not offering salary arbitration to veteran pitcher Bartolo Colon, releasing the 2005 American League Cy Young Award winner to free agency.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Japan's Kuroda coming to the majors — Dodgers are among the teams interested in the 32-year-old right-hander. — Free-agent pitcher Hiroki Kuroda declared his intention to leave his native Japan to play in the major leagues next season. — The 32-year-old right-hander is a target of the Dodgers …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Losing Matsui not the end for Cubs — The Cubs lost out on free-agent Kazuo Matsui on Friday when the Colorado second baseman reportedly agreed to a deal with Houston, but manager Lou Piniella wasn't fazed by the news. — Piniella recruited Matsui in a phone call with Matsui and an interpreter recently …
C.J. Moore / MLB.com:
Notes: McKenry impressing Rox — Prospect's abilities behind the plate making club take a look — DENVER — Rockies prospect Michael McKenry proved with his numbers this winter in the Hawaii Winter Baseball league that he can hit — five homers and 15 RBIs in 26 games …
Discussion:
Purple Row
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins searching for in-game host — Team to hold casting call for 'Marlins Vision' personality — MIAMI — The search is on for a new Marlins in-game stadium entertainment host. — At 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 11, the Marlins will be holding a casting call to find a "Marlins Vision" …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Twins Get Rays' Young for Garza in 6-Player Deal — The Minnesota Twins traded a starting pitcher, but it was not the elite pitcher they are expected to eventually move. Instead of relocating Johan Santana, the Twins shipped Matt Garza to the Tampa Bay Rays for outfielder Delmon Young as part of a multiplayer deal.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
Marc Topkin / The Heater:
Dukes involved in incident in Dominican game — Elijah Dukes apparently hasn't calmed down that much. — The troubled outfielder had been enjoying what Rays officials have said was a seemingly quiet and successful return to the field with the Licey team in the Dominican Republic - until Thursday night.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
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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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Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Towers talks team's arbitration plans — Barrett, Cameron likely to be presented offers by Padres — SAN DIEGO — Speaking to the local media before departing for the Winter Meetings, Padres general manager Kevin Towers talked of the perception of "gaping holes" that will need to be filled …
