Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cubs, Japanese OF Fukudome reach deal — FOXSports.com, Updated 40 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — The Cubs, landing their biggest off-season target, have signed Japanese free-agent outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to a four-year contract, major-league sources confirmed to FOXSports.com.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cubs' lineup getting more dangerous — FOXSports.com, Updated 52 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — Now, imagine if the Cubs get Brian Roberts, too. — A trade for Roberts would transform an underachieving offense into one of the most potent in the National League.
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers eye Japanese reliever — The Rangers may have lost out on their No. 1 Japanese free-agent target this winter, but it appears they won't come away empty-handed from their foray to the Far East. — While it appears outfielder Kosuke Fukudome will land with the Chicago Cubs …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs land Fukudome — The Cubs signed Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to a four-year deal late Tuesday, outbidding San Diego and the White Sox to gain the services of their primary off-season target. — Terms of the deal were not immediately known, though it's believed to be worth …
Discussion:
Associated Press, MLB Trade Rumors, Baseball Musings, 1060west.net, Wrigleyville23 and CubsNet.com
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs win Fukudome sweepstakes — Japanese outfielder agrees to four-year, $48 million deal — CHICAGO — The Cubs' patience paid off. Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome has agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the team, pending his passing a physical.
ESPN:
Japanese star Fukudome coming to Chicago to play for Cubs — The agent for Kosuke Fukudome said that the player would make up his mind on a major league team quickly after deciding to come to the United States. He was true to his word. — After deciding to play in the U.S. early Tuesday morning …
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Cubs get Fukudome as Padres get Iguchi — Peavy announcement expected to be today — The Padres lost out in their bid for Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, who last night accepted a four-year offer from the Cubs worth close to $50 million. — The Padres did land a starting player from Japan …
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Mitchell Report Expected to Name About 50 Major Leaguers — The headquarters for George J. Mitchell's investigation into the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball has been the DLA Piper law offices in Midtown Manhattan, right next to Rockefeller Center and just blocks from the Park Avenue offices of Major League Baseball.
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NY Daily News:
MLB receives Mitchell Report — Major League Baseball officials are reviewing George Mitchell's long-anticipated steroid report at the former Senate majority leader's law offices, 21 months after commissioner Bud Selig asked Mitchell to investigate the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.
home.kyodo.co.jp:
Baseball: Kuroda appears to have chosen Dodgers: sources — Japanese free agent pitcher Hiroki Kuroda appears to have chosen the Los Angeles Dodgers as his new team, baseball sources said Wednesday. — Kuroda informed the Hiroshima Carp front office of his decision on Tuesday night …
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Toronto Star:
Lo Duca spurns Toronto for Nats; Giants mulling Rios-for-Lincecum offer — Paul Lo Duca, the veteran catcher the Blue Jays had hoped to acquire to share duties with incumbent Gregg Zaun, has chosen instead to sign with the Washington Nationals. — The issue appears to have been one of money.
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MLB.com:
Boston Red Sox to bring World Series trophy to Connecticut on Thursday, — BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox today announced that the 2007 World Series trophy will come to Connecticut on Thursday, December 13, 2007. — Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino will lead a group traveling from Fenway Park …
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Red Sox Monster
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Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Twins ink Monroe to one-year deal — Veteran joins outfield mix for $3.82 million plus incentives — MINNEAPOLIS — The questions surrounding Craig Monroe's future with the Twins were answered on Tuesday when the club signed the outfielder to a one-year contract worth $3.82 million plus incentives based on plate appearances.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
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Eduardo A. Encina / St. Petersburg Times:
Nontenders likely to be low-impact … ST. PETERSBURG - After the deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players arrives at midnight, the Rays will be scouring the suddenly expanded list of nontendered free agents, hoping to find the right fit for one of their holes.
Discussion:
Rays of Light
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates, Tigers talk about pitcher Durbin — Other possibilities could open with arbitration non-tenders — The Pirates are engaged in trade talks with Detroit in an attempt to acquire right-handed starter Chad Durbin. — Durbin, 30, was 8-7 with a 4.32 ERA last season …
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Kent will return with $9-million option — Jones passes physical and will be introduced today. — Jeff Kent has postponed retirement and will play out the final year of his contract with the Dodgers, his agent said Tuesday night. — Jeff Klein wrote in an e-mail that the 39-year-old Kent …
