Top News:
Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Furcal's agent: No contract offer from A's — The agent for Rafael Furcal called “bogus” a report out of the Dominican Republic claiming the Oakland Athletics had offered the free-agent shortstop a four-year, $48 million contract. — Agent Paul Kinzer also shot down a rumor the Mets …
RELATED:
Dylan Hernandez / LA Times Sports Blog:
Has Rafael Furcal played his last game with the Dodgers? — Rafael Furcal's tenure with the Dodgers could be over. — The free agent shortstop told El Caribe that he would return from his native Dominican Republic to the United States on Monday to sign a contract — and judging by what he said …
Susan Slusser / SFGate:
Furcal report from Dominican “untrue” — Los Angeles papers have picked up on a report in El Caribe that the A's have offered free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal a four-year, $48 million deal that could be as much as $50 million with incentives. — A well-placed A's source tells me this is “untrue.”
Rob Bradford / WEEI Blogs:
Sources: Initial offer to Varitek for one year — According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the Red Sox' initial contract offer to free agent catcher Jason Varitek this offseason was for one year. It was not determined what the monetary worth of the offer would be …
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse, Center Field, SOX & Dawgs, Fire Brand of the …, Over the Monster, Fenway West, Bugs & Cranks and ShysterBall
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Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Boras: Sox haven't begun Varitek talks — Scott Boras, the representative for free agent Jason Varitek, told the Globe's Nick Cafardo this afternoon that the Red Sox have not begun any negotiations with the 36-year-old catcher. — Boras also said he knows nothing of a reported one-year offer made by the ballclub to Varitek.
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Giants Sign Edgar Renteria? — By Tim Dierkes [November 24 at 3:59pm CST] — 3:59pm: Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle talked to a Giants source who said the below report is not true. Schulman admits the Giants may be splitting hairs, as they might deny a deal if only formalities remain.
BREITBART.COM:
LEAD: Baseball: Tazawa gets offer from Rangers, nearing decision+ — TOKYO, Nov. 24 (AP) - (Kyodo)—(EDS: UPDATING WITH MORE INFO) — Highly regarded Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa received a lucrative offer from the Texas Rangers on Monday and is expected to decide on his future shortly, his manager said.
Discussion:
Foul Territory, NPB Tracker, MLB FanHouse, Baseball Time in Arlington and Hot Stove Blog
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Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Astros acquire Lumsden from Royals — Houston adds depth to stock of southpaw pitchers — HOUSTON — The Astros acquired left-hander Tyler Lumsden from the Kansas City Royals on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. The announcement was made by general manager Ed Wade.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
Kansas City Royals — Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.
Discussion:
Royals Review
Mark Fainaru-Wada / ESPN.com:
Judge throws out 3 counts in Bonds' perjury case — SAN FRANCISCO — As the Barry Bonds perjury case continues to move toward a March jury trial, the judge on Monday dismissed three of the 15 counts but left intact the bulk of the government's charges against the former Giants slugger.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Associated Press:
Future of Cashman Field in Las Vegas questionable — LAS VEGAS—Developers considering bids to redevelop the site of Cashman Field in Las Vegas have been told by the city that all proposals must include plans to build a new baseball stadium on the site or nearby.
Discussion:
ShysterBall
Mike A. / River Avenue Blues:
The Free Agent Starter Debate: Sheets vs Burnett — They're both free agents, they both have top notch power arms, they have an equal amount of playoff experience (zero innings), yet one has been much more sought after this winter than the other. Widely considered to be the best non-Sabathia …
