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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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 …
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.
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Royals' GM mum on Teahen rumors — Cubs' interest in lefty hitter neither confirmed nor denied by Moore — KANSAS CITY — Is Mark Teahen in the Chicago Cubs' sights? — That was the speculation on Tuesday after the Cubs took care of a high priority, re-signing right-handed starter Ryan Dempster with a four-year, $52 million deal.
Associated Press:
Cubs, Dempster reach 4-year deal … CHICAGO (AP) — Pitcher Ryan Dempster and the Chicago Cubs agreed Tuesday on a $52 million, four-year contract that includes a player option to 2012. — He gets a $4 million signing bonus, $8 million next year, $12.5 million in 2010 and $13.5 million in 2011.
Coley Ward / MLB Rumors:
Cubs Targeting Teahen — By Coley Ward [November 18 at 9:51pm CST] — 9:51pm: MLB.com's Dick Kaegel has a source saying Dayton Moore and Jim Hendry have not discussed a deal for Teahen or David DeJesus. Moore wouldn't comment publicly on the rumor, while Teahen and his agent are unaware of any trade talks.
Discussion:
iYankees
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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Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Most Valuable: Pedroia — Dustin Pedroia has collected his share of trophies and accolades this offseason, and this afternoon, the Red Sox' little second baseman claimed the biggest individual honor of all. — Pedroia was named the American League Most Valuable Player today …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Walkoff Walk, Projo Sox Blog, Vegas Watch, Can't Stop The Bleeding, Twinkie Town, Baseball Musings, Fox Sports and YFSF
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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George A. King III / New York Post:
YANKEES PREPARE A.J. OFFER — Who says George Steinbrenner has stepped away from the table? — The Yankees, for the second time inside a week, are on the verge of making an eye-popping offer to a free-agent pitcher and behaving like the days when The Boss threw money at free agents with both hands.
Ken Davidoff / Ken Davidoff's baseball insider:The language of baseball winter
Discussion:
It is about the money, stupid
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 …
Discussion:
Boston Globe
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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.
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.
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Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Padres not ruling out Braves for Peavy — Cubs might be out of mix for pitching with Dempster signing — SAN DIEGO — With the Cubs signing free-agent pitcher Ryan Dempster to a contract to stay in Chicago, Padres general manager Kevin Towers figures to have an even tougher job ahead …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Christian Red / NY Daily News:
Pedro trying to extend Met life — Pedro Martinez still has “a lot of baseball left in him” and would like to finish his sure-fire Hall of Fame career in Flushing, according to his agent. — Fernando Cuza told the Daily News yesterday that Martinez would “like to stay in New York.”
RELATED:
David Lennon / Newsday:Mets' offer to Francisco Rodriguez not in place just yet
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Mike Silva's NY Baseball …, MetsBlog.com, NY Daily News, Mets Fever and MLB Rumors
