Top News:
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Joe Beimel's days with Dodgers apparently over — Agent Joe Sroba says team has expressed no interest in re-signing the left-handed reliever, and GM Ned Colletti confirms Sroba's belief that Dodgers ‘want to go in a different direction.’ — Unless the Dodgers change their minds …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers waiting on word from Sabathia — Brewers have not heard from free-agent lefty's camp — MILWAUKEE — Brewers general manager Doug Melvin refuted any notion that he's growing frustrated, even after another week passed by with no response from CC Sabathia's representatives.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
RELATED:
Hot Stove Blog:
Sabathia camp mum on intentions — Give CC Sabathia and his people credit for one thing: They are not conducting their negotiations through the media. — CC's camp has been locked down since the General Managers' Meetings in California, leaving the rest of the baseball world only to speculate …
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
D-Backs make offer to R. Vazquez — Looking to fill a hole at second base, the Diamondbacks have made a contract offer to free-agent infielder Ramon Vazquez. — Details of the offer are unknown. — “We're talking,” said Vazquez's agent, Melvin Roman, declining further comment.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Anne-Marie Garcia / Associated Press:
Cuba throws 2 baseball stars off top team — HAVANA—Ace pitcher Yadel Marti and star outfielder Yasser Gomez have been thrown off Cuba's top league team for “a grave act of indiscipline,” likely ending their hopes of playing in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Red Sox burn for Mark Teixeira — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — The Red Sox [team stats], along with a growing number of teams, are targeting first baseman Mark Teixeira with increasing intensity. — One baseball source, familiar with the Sox' thinking this offseason …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, MLB.com, The House That Dewey Built, Sliding Into Home, The Bottom Line, Associated Press and SOX & Dawgs
RELATED:
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Renteria's rep negotiating with Giants — Shortstop likely won't sign until fellow free agent Furcal does — SAN FRANCISCO — The plot thickened slightly Friday in the Giants' search for a free-agent infielder, as Jeff Lane, the representative for shortstop Edgar Renteria …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Van Benschoten parts ways with Bucs — Former first-round pick decides to pursue roster spot elsewhere — PITTSBURGH — After many attempts to stick with the Pirates' Major League club, John Van Benschoten has decided to make his next attempt at the big leagues elsewhere.
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
METS' CASTILLO DRIVEN TO SECURE 2ND CHANCE — This is a story about second base and, Luis Castillo hopes, second chances. — To their fans' anguish, Mets officials have persistently said they plan on having Castillo as their second baseman in 2009. In part that is because the Mets …
Jon Heyman / For the Record:
Mets open to dealing catchers — There are indications the Mets might consider overhauling their catching situation. While the Mets haven't spoken publicly about any dissatisfaction with their tandem of Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro, some competing executives say the Mets …
Discussion:
Mets Today
Conor Glassey / Baseball America:
AFL Dish: Aptly-Named Prospect Finishes Strong — Prospect Of The Day — Peoria Javelinas shortstop Brent Brewer (Brewers) didn't have a particularly good regular season. Drafted in the second round of the 2006 draft out of a Georgia high school, Brewer spent 2008 split between low Class …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Pujols changes MVP stance — Two years ago, St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols, fresh off helping his team win the World Series, was upset that he finished runner-up in Most Valuable Player voting to Ryan Howard of Philadelphia, which finished second in the National League East.
New York Post:
METS TAKING TIME IN HUNT FOR CLOSER — THE Mets have made it well known they are unwilling to meet Francisco Rodriguez's quest for a five-year contract at record dollars for a closer. But, according to Mets officials, they currently are averse to going to even a fourth year for K-Rod or any closer.
