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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Chad Finn / Boston Globe: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 …
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:
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George A. King III / New York Post: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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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:
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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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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.
