Top News:
Rotoworld.com:
Report: Red Sox trade Coco Crisp to Royals — Sports Radio 810 WHB in Kansas City reports that the Red Sox have traded Coco Crisp to the Royals in exchange for Ramon Ramirez. — Former Royals outfielder Brian McRae broke the story, but we're still waiting to see the move confirmed by other sources.
Discussion:
Boston Globe
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Coco Crisp Traded To Royals — By Tim Dierkes [November 19 at 8:48am CST] — According to Brian McRae reporting for Sports Radio 810 in Kansas City, the Royals acquired Coco Crisp from the Red Sox for reliever Ramon Ramirez. I emailed McRae to confirm, and he said, “It's a done deal.”
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
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.
Rob Bradford / WEEI Blogs:
The Evan Grant Interview — Click here to listen to the Big Show's interview with Rangers beat writer Evan Grant, who left American League MVP Dustin Pedroia out of his Top 10 on his ballot. — Here is a partial transcript of the interview, which aired on Tuesday afternoon: — Evan Grant: Sure, fire away.
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
When will he convert awards into cash? — Pedroia adds MVP to his trophy haul — First two years in the bigs, Rookie of the Year and MVP. — Where do you go from here if you're Dustin Pedroia and the Red Sox? — The Sox don't think the hardware changes anything about their contractual approach to Pedroia.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Pedroia named AL MVP
Pedroia named AL MVP
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News, Home Run Derby, SOX1FAN, SOX & Dawgs, Bless You Boys, Baseball Time in Arlington, Cursed To First, True Blue LA, Camden Chat, YFSF, Chuckie Hacks, Athletics Nation, Lookout Landing, Rays Index, River Avenue Blues, Lone Star Ball, The Joy of Sox, iYankees and The Bottom Line
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.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, SOX1FAN, Ken Davidoff's baseball …, Fox Sports, River Avenue Blues, Projo Sox Blog, iYankees and Over the Monster
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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:
It is about the money, stupid, New Jersey Online, bronxbanterblog.com, Red Sox Monster, Fenway West and Newsday
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Swisher set to give Bombers old college try — Derek Jeter has four championship rings and a resume that should land him in the Hall of Fame. But when the Yankees report to camp in February, none of that will matter to Nick Swisher as long as Ohio State beats Michigan this weekend.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs showing interest in KC's Teahen — Right fielder could present cost-feasible solution for power lefty — CHICAGO — Now that the Cubs have taken care of their first offseason priority and have re-signed Ryan Dempster, the next move is to find a left-handed bat for the middle of the order.
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Mets have choice of either K-Rod or Fuentes — The Mets have many goals and many choices in this baseball offseason, but as they take in the lay of the land now, they think they know this: — Acquiring a closer will be first on their list of accomplishments.
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
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Dan Graziano / New Jersey Online:
Mets/K-Rod marriage getting closer?
Mets/K-Rod marriage getting closer?
Discussion:
Mike Silva's NY Baseball …, MetsBlog.com, 24 Hours From Suicide, Mets Fever, Newsday and Ya Gotta Believe
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.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers interested in lefty Beimel — Dombrowski would like to have two southpaws in bullpen — DETROIT — Add Joe Beimel to the list of left-handed relievers the Tigers have explored. The club has been in touch with his agent and shown interest, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Discussion:
The Daily Fungo
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Richard Justice / Houston Chronicle:
Commentary: Valverde, Wigginton have to go — Goodbye, Jose Valverde. You, too, Ty Wigginton. Pick up your lovely parting gifts at the door. — The Astros seem likely to trade both of them in the next few weeks. You won't like the reason. Don't shoot the messenger.
Charles Isherwood / New York Times:
Peanuts, Cracker Jack and Some Illegal Juice — “Back Back Back,” a new play by Itamar Moses about baseball's steroids scandal, could actually use a little juicing itself. Mr. Moses' disappointingly drama-free drama does little more than skim the surface of the protracted controversy …
Discussion:
ShysterBall
Richard Griffin / Toronto Star:
Jays need to be dealers if money is tight — The dismal North American economy may be a precursor to the ‘09 Jays’ payroll being reduced from its year-end $97 million (all figures U.S.), as was hinted by outgoing president Paul Godfrey last week. But don't look for any big announcement from Rogers ownership.
New York Post:
BERNIE: I'M NOT DONE YET — Musician Bernie Williams said last night he has a new CD coming out in April called “Moving Forward.” — Just in case any GMs like Brian Cashman are interested, Williams also said he has not shut the door on his baseball career. Williams, 40, is not totally ready to move forward away from baseball.