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said publicly the Minnesota Twins must make a decision on whether to accept New York's offer by today, or it will be withdrawn.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.
Buster Olney / ESPN:Sources: Red Sox willing to deal Ellsbury or Lester, not both
Discussion:
Boston Globe, New York Post, Red Sox Monster, Phillies Nation, FanHouse, SOX & Dawgs, The House That Dewey Built, Depressed Fan, NY Daily News, Boston Herald, Center Field, Can't Stop The Bleeding, Baseball Musings, The Joy of Sox, MY BASEBALL BIAS, MetsBlog.com, Twins Territory, Over the Monster, Al's Ramblings, Hot Foot and River Ave. Blues
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.
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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.
John Perrotto / Beaver County Times & Allegheny Times:
Marte, McLouth draw interest at meetings — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The winter meetings don't start until today but that didn't stop trade rumors from filling the lobbies of the vast Opryland Hotel and Resort on Sunday as major-league baseball executives from all 30 teams began checking in.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:Winter Meetings: Delay might pay for Pirates
Discussion:
Talking Chop
David Laurila / Baseball Prospectus:Prospectus Q and A: Neal Huntington by David Laurila
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos, Bucco Blog, THE BOOK, Where have you gone …, Bucs Dugout and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
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
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:Pads near three-year extension with Peavy
Discussion:
Baseball Musings, San Diego Union-Tribune, MLB.com, MetsBlog.com, ESPN, Associated Press, Gaslamp Ball, Hot Foot and MLB Rumors
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.
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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
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, MetsBlog.com, MLB Trade Rumors, The Musings and Prophecies …, MLB Rumors, DRaysBay and Rotoworld.com
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.
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
