Top News:
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Ryan Dempster close to re-signing with Cubs — The Cubs have reached agreement on a multiyear contract with free agent pitcher Ryan Dempster, and the two-time All-Star is expected to sign the deal today, according to multiple sources. — It's expected to be a four-year deal worth at least $52 million.
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves shift offseason pitching strategy — Even with hurlers coming off market, Atlanta still optimistic — ATLANTA — Now that the starting pitching options have started to dwindle on the free-agent market, it's even easier to understand why the Braves worked so hard in an attempt to acquire ace Jake Peavy.
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Is the Peavy thing over? We think not — Hello, it's good to be back and all that. Froze my butt off watching my Jayhawks get their butts whipped by Texas at Lawrence, but the trip was worthwhile because I saw my brother's family, spent time with old friends, and got my fix of Gates BBQ in Kansas City.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Cubs, Dempster agree to four-year, $52M contract — CHICAGO — Pitcher Ryan Dempster and the Chicago Cubs agreed Tuesday on a four-year contract worth about $52 million. — Dempster, 31, has a 76-81 record in 11 seasons with Florida, Cincinnati and Chicago.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Pedroia named AL MVP — Boston second baseman did it all in sophomore season — BOSTON — Just call him Mr. November. Or better yet, refer to Dustin Pedroia as the Most Valuable Player of the American League. — The second baseman of the Boston Red Sox continued his rapid burst …
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Evan Grant / TEXAS RANGERS:
My MVP vote — I'm sorry it's taken me so long to actually post this, but I've been trying to answer e-mails and respond to phone calls about why I left Dustin Pedroia off the AL ballot. Let me first say this to the Red Sox nation: In retrospect, it was a mistake.
Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Most Valuable: Pedroia — Dustin Pedroia has collected his share …
Most Valuable: Pedroia — Dustin Pedroia has collected his share …
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ESPN:
Source: M's to name A's bench coach as manager — And then there was one. — After an extension search, which included seven interviews in four days, the Seattle Mariners are set to name Don Wakamatsu their new manager, a source told ESPN's Peter Gammons.
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Seattle Times:
Don Wakamatsu will be Mariners' manager — Oakland Athletics bench coach Don Wakamatsu is to be introduced to Seattle on Wednesday as the new manager of the Mariners. — Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik this afternoon told the six other candidates for the job that he was going in a different direction.
John Hickey / seattlepi.com Mariners blog:
Wakamatsu the man? Not yet, at least — The Mariners are denying reports from KING-5 that the next manager of the club will be Don Wakamatsu, currently the third base coach of the Texas Rangers. — While the report said it was close to a done deal, the Mariners are saying the job …
Geoff Baker / Mariners Blog:
Wakamatsu gets job — Expect an announcement by tomorrow morning, but Don Wakamatsu, 45, is the new manager of the Mariners. An insider source just called and told me that the six other candidates will be advised shortly that they did not get the job and that Wakamatsu is the guy.
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Source: Yanks still trying to woo Burnett — The Yankees still are preparing a formal offer for righthanded pitcher A.J. Burnett, a club official said yesterday, but the Red Sox have become serious competitors to land him. — The Red Sox's pursuit of Burnett complicates the Yankees' plans.
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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yankees and Red Sox in battle over pitcher A.J. Burnett — The Yankees and Red Sox won't meet again on the field until April, but the two American League East rivals are preparing to square off for the services of at least one major free agent in the coming weeks.
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster
George A. King III / New York Post:
YANKEES PREPARE A.J. OFFER
YANKEES PREPARE A.J. OFFER
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Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Cubs showing interest in Royals' Teahen — The search by the Chicago Cubs for a left-handed bat is targeting Royals outfielder Mark Teahen as a possible solution. — That search figures to intensify in coming days in the wake of Tuesday's announcement by the Cubs that free-agent pitcher Ryan Dempster …
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Jon Paul Morosi / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers show interest in Dodgers lefty Joe Beimel — The Tigers have shown interest in signing free-agent reliever Joe Beimel, the left-hander's agent said today. — Beimel, 31, went 5-1 with a 2.02 ERA in 71 appearances with the Los Angeles Dodgers this year.
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