Top News:
Boston Globe:
Ellsbury not untouchable for Santana — NASHVILLE - Zero hour for a Johan Santana trade may be approaching. — Yankees owner Hank Steinbrenner, vowing "not to be played" by the Red Sox, said publicly the Minnesota Twins must make a decision on whether to accept New York's offer by today, or it will be withdrawn.
RELATED:
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.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MetsBlog.com, Hot Foot, Twins Territory, MLB Trade Rumors, Over the Monster and Sports Illustrated
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.
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 …
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.
RELATED:
ESPN.com:
Pettitte not retiring, will pitch for Yankees in 2008 — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Andy Pettitte has decided to put off retirement and pitch for the New York Yankees in 2008. — Pettitte's agent, Randy Hendricks, said Monday that the 35-year-old left-hander had started telling teammates on Sunday.
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Matt Murton could be trade bait — Hendry likes righty-hitting OF, but Cubs are in need of lefty bat — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry had on his sweats and looked ready for a run Sunday on the eve of the winter meetings. All right, maybe not a run — perhaps just a brisk walk.
RELATED:
Tim Dierkes / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs May Shop Murton — Jim Hendry may view 26 year-old outfielder Matt Murton as expendable, if only because he's not the left-handed hitter the Cubs crave. — Murton has a respectable career line of .296/.365/.455 in 289 games. While it would be nice to see his power develop a bit, he's a decent option in right field.
Discussion:
Chicago Sun Times
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:Cubs, Sox target outfielders at winter meetings
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Peavy, Padres nearing contract extension — New deal would guarantee ace's salary through 2012 — NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Padres and ace pitcher Jake Peavy have agreed to the basics of an extension that will guarantee his salary through 2012. Later this week, the sides will try to agree …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
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:
Baseball Musings, San Diego Union-Tribune, MLB.com, MetsBlog.com, ESPN, Associated Press, Gaslamp Ball, MLB Rumors and Hot Foot
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.
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.
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Winter Meetings: Delay might pay for Pirates — Ample reason to keep Bay, Morris, Wilson into 2008 — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It seems a long shot that the Pirates will trade Jason Bay at Major League Baseball's four-day Winter Meetings, which begin today at the majestic Opryland Hotel.
RELATED:
David Laurila / Baseball Prospectus:Prospectus Q and A: Neal Huntington by David Laurila
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos, Bucco Blog, Where have you gone …, THE BOOK, Bucs Dugout and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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.
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Wren active at winter meetings — New Braves GM seeking infield, bullpen help — Nashville — The Braves might not make any trades this week during baseball's annual Winter Meetings, but not because general manager Frank Wren plans on being complacent, kicking back with a cigar …
Discussion:
Purple Row
