Top News:
Sean McAdam / Providence Journal:
Red Sox raising ante for Santana — BOSTON — On the eve of the start of the winter meetings, the intrigue surrounding Minnesota Twins left-hander Johan Santana took one more unexpected turn. — The Red Sox yesterday did an about-face and decided to include outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury in a package for the premier pitcher.
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Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Twins could create monster — Can't hand Santana to Red Sox, Yanks — NASHVILLE — Just say no, Minnesota Twins. — There's little doubt the Twins need to trade Johan Santana. And there's not much doubt the 28-year-old left-hander has replaced all the legends, guys like Randy Johnson …
NY Daily News:
Hank Steinbrenner says Yankee offer for Johan Santana is 'fair' — NASHVILLE - With all the parties descending upon the winter meetings, the Red Sox upped the ante in the Johan Santana sweepstakes Sunday by offering to include previously untouchable rookie center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury in a deal for the Twins' premier lefthander.
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Yanks will pull Santana offer after Monday — NASHVILLE - The Yankees either will reach an agreement with the Twins sometime Monday on a trade for Johan Santana or pull their offer from the table, senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said Sunday night. — Steinbrenner said by phone Sunday evening …
Buster Olney / ESPN:Sources: Red Sox willing to deal Ellsbury or Lester, not both
Discussion:
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Sports Illustrated:
Astros, Giants interested in Tejada — The Astros and Giants are among the teams that have expressed interest in Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada, sources have told SI.com. — The Astros, who signed free-agent second baseman Kaz Matsui to a three-year, $16.5 million contract on Sunday …
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Is it deal or no deal for the Angels? — With Garland, Hunter on board, Reagins can seek out bigger names at the winter meetings. — NASHVILLE — The winter meetings used to be such sleepy affairs for the Angels under General Manager Bill Stoneman, who either had too few Disney dollars …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Jose De Jesus Ortiz / Houston Chronicle:
Pettitte to play for Yankees in '08 — Agent confirms veteran's decision to choose Bronx over retirement — NASHVILLE - Andy Pettitte, who contemplated retirement this winter, has told his good friends, a few former Astros teammates and some current Yankees teammates that he will return to the Bronx for the 2008 season.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Minaya under pressure in New York — FOXSports.com, Updated 2 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — Mets general manager Omar Minaya always takes a high-energy approach, but it would be understandable if he was even more motivated this off-season. — The pressure on him is growing.
Discussion:
St. Petersburg Times, MLB Trade Rumors, MetsBlog.com, MLB Rumors, Depressed Fan, The Musings and Prophecies … and DRaysBay
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Writing on the wall for Burke — Matsui signing likely signals end of infielder's Astros career — HOUSTON — Technically, Chris Burke is still a member of the Houston Astros. But in the wake of Sunday's transaction that officially made Kazuo Matsui the club's second baseman for the next three years …
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Willis likely to remain with Marlins — Team expects to retain left-hander, but will listen to offers — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — While it seems inevitable that Miguel Cabrera will be leaving the Marlins, strong indications surfaced on Sunday that Dontrelle Willis will be staying in South Florida.
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs, Sox target outfielders at winter meetings — NASHVILLE — A large Cubs front-office contingent set up shop Sunday in the Opryland Hotel, a day ahead of the scheduled arrival of White Sox brass at the winter meetings. — Chicago's teams need outfielders, to the point that both might …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Pads near three-year extension with Peavy — FOXSports.com, Updated 9 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — The Padres, moving toward a watershed moment in franchise history, have made significant progress toward signing right-hander Jake Peavy to a three-year contract extension.
Discussion:
San Diego Union-Tribune, MLB.com, Arizona Republic, Baseball Musings, MetsBlog.com, ESPN, Associated Press, Gaslamp Ball, Hot Foot and MLB Rumors
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Moore's approach puts Royals on track for jump in payroll — The primary challenge this week for Royals general manager Dayton Moore isn't finding sufficient payroll in his 2008 budget to pursue the club's two principal free-agent targets — outfielder Jose Guillen and right-hander Hiroki Kuroda.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers step up interest in A. Jones — NASHVILLE — The Dodgers have stepped up talks with free-agent center fielder Andruw Jones, a club official confirmed Sunday. — Jones is coming off the worst season of his career — .222 average, 26 homers, 96 RBIs.
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
O'Dowd not looking for major team fixes — Any transactions likely to be focused, limited — Five years removed from undertaking a major makeover of the Rockies, general manager Dan O'Dowd is not looking for ways to fine-tune a team coming off the franchise's first National League championship.
