Top News:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Hamilton dealt from Reds to Rangers — Cincinnati gets Volquez, Minor League pitcher in return — The Rangers acquired outfielder Josh Hamilton from the Reds on Friday in exchange for right-hander Edinson Volquez and Minor League left-hander Danny Herrera.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Rangers acquire Hamilton from Reds for Volquez — ARLINGTON, Texas — The Cincinnati Reds agreed Friday to trade outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for pitcher Edinson Volquez and a minor league pitcher. — The trade was to be announced later Friday, according to a team official familiar …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers power up in deal with Reds — Team sends Edinson Volquez to Cincinnati for promising outfielder Josh Hamilton — egrant@dallasnews.com — The Texas Rangers spent most of 2007 trying to build up the starting pitching depth in the organization. Friday, they put that depth to use.
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:Reds Deal Away Hamilton For Pitching
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Watson denies steroid allegations — Former Yankees and Mets pitcher Allen Watson, accused by Jason Grimsley of using performance-enhancing drugs, issued a statement Friday denying the allegations. — “At no time during my professional baseball career have I used steroids or any performance-enhancing drugs.
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Peter Schmuck / Baltimore Sun:
Clemens' denials get boost from Grimsley affidavit — If the original release of the infamous Jason Grimsley affidavit - with the names of the alleged steroid and amphetamine users blacked out for public nonconsumption - helped pull the cover off baseball's performance-enhancement scandal …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Sox reportedly cut deal with Ramirez — Versatile Cuban can play shortstop, second and center field — CHICAGO — Two baseball sources have confirmed to MLB.com that the White Sox have agreed in principle on a four-year, $4.75 million deal with Alexei Ramirez.
RELATED:
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Source: ChiSox sign Cuban exile to four-year deal … ORLANDO — The Chicago White Sox and Cuban exile Alexei Ramírez have agreed to a four-year contract, pending a physical exam, according to a source who spoke to ESPNdeportes.com on condition of anonymity.
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Bedard likely won't be dealt by opener — After listening to trade proposals for his ace for the past couple of months, Andy MacPhail says it is a “strong likelihood” that Erik Bedard will be the Orioles' Opening Day starter rather than being traded. — “It's up to [manager] …
RELATED:
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Juan Padilla eyes Mets' bullpen role — Juan Padilla, a righthanded reliever who has missed the last two seasons because of two elbow surgeries, agreed to a minor-league contract with the Mets on Friday and said he hopes to compete for a spot in the team's crowded bullpen.
New York Times:
More Juice, Less Punch — FOR those of us who love baseball, this has been a hard time. The Mitchell report named many players past and present it said used steroids and human growth hormone, and the news media had a field day focusing on the lying, the cheating and the betrayal of the game and its fans.
Discussion:
Sabernomics
Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
‘Wild’ Yankee Tommy Byrne dies at 87 — Tommy Byrne, the “wild man” Yankee lefthander who was exiled for his inability to throw strikes and then came back as a pivotal starter on the Bombers' 1955 American League championship team, died Friday in Wake Forest, N.C. He was 87.
Discussion:
New York Post
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Q&A with Aaron Boone — Utilityman looking forward to a fresh start with familiar faces … MLB.com: What made you sign with the Nationals? — Aaron Boone: They made a good offer. They stepped up. We were talking to a couple of teams, and when I knew the Nationals were interested as well …
Discussion:
District of Baseball
Kobrien / On the Yankees beat:
pre-holiday thoughts — OK, loyal bloggers/readers/etc., things are getting quiet for the holidays. One thing — I've talked to several people in the Yankees organization today, and everyone expects Joba Chamberlain to be a starter. So don't worry about a change in plans. He should be in the rotation.
Discussion:
The Bronx Block
RELATED:
Ben K. / River Ave. Blues:Olney: Yanks plan to start Joba in the pen
Discussion:
WasWatching.com, Replacement Level …, MY BASEBALL BIAS, Depressed Fan, FanHouse and The Bronx Block
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Drew wins postseason play of the year — Outfielder's slam in Game 6 of ALCS voted TYIB's top play — BOSTON — Yes, there was some amount of dread when a bases-loaded, nobody-out rally suddenly became two outs and the batter left to rescue the Red Sox and salvage some runs was J.D. Drew.
