Top News:
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Sox manager sheds no tears for Swisher — In a wide-ranging interview, his first since the trade of Nick Swisher and the rumors surrounding possible trades of Javier Vazquez, Bobby Jenks and Jermaine Dye, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said: — • His defending Central Division champions …
RELATED:
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Derek Lowe eyes dollars, so Mets might try cheaper options — Derek Lowe is a hotter commodity in the free-agent market than the Mets envisioned, a development that is forcing them to rethink their plan of signing the 35-year-old righthander and plugging him into Oliver Perez's spot in the starting rotation.
Fox Sports:
These teams could block the Yanks and Mets ambitions — The Yanks and Mets should be big spenders this offseason. But Joel Sherman says some teams may take what these two want.
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
RELATED:
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 …
Dan Rosenheck / New York Times:
Why Mussina Belongs in the Hall — Mike Mussina had not even formally announced his retirement when the debate over his Hall of Fame credentials began in earnest. Although Mussina, the practitioner of the game's most distinguished knuckle-curve, will not be eligible for induction until 2013 …
Jon Paul Morosi / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers still looking at shortstop Jack Wilson — Nearly 16 months after the Tigers came close to acquiring him at the 2007 trade deadline, the team is interested in obtaining shortstop Jack Wilson from the Pittsburgh Pirates, an industry official confirmed to the Free Press on Friday.
NPB Tracker:
Red Sox Offer Tazawa $6M — Sanspo is reporting that Red Sox VP for international scouting Craig Shipley spent 1 hour 50 minutes negotiating with Junichi Tawaza, resulting in a $6M contract offer. No word on whether it's a major league deal or not. Details to follow...
Discussion:
YFSF, River Avenue Blues, It is about the money, stupid, MLB Rumors, MLB FanHouse, ESPN, Bless You Boys and iYankees
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 …
New York Post:
AN OFF-THE-BALL LOOK AT YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS CELEBRITIES — The Yankees always have been Hollywood's baseball team. That was evident this week. In Tampa at Steinbrenner Field the Yankees Fantasy Camp took place. Richard Gere and his 9-year-old son Homer got pointers from Mickey Rivers and Bucky Dent.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
A big league battle of the bulge — More players focus on nutrition as part of their conditioning — NEW YORK — With the bitterness of the Mets' elimination from the 2006 National League Championship Series still fresh, Carlos Beltran unpacked his bags at home in Puerto Rico …
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
On the Coast, it's very clear — Dodgers, Angels need to keep their sluggers — The Los Angeles teams can't afford to lose the best hitters on the free agent market: Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramírez. And deep down, they know it. — Question is, can either afford to keep them?
Fred Faour / Examiner:
Tejada trade will haunt Astros for years — So the Astros might have to get rid of one of their productive players in order to keep the payroll under control. — Ty Wigginton's name has come up. Jose Valverde's name as come up. — Both will get considerable raises. Both were productive last season.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Orange County Register:
Angels likely not on Teixeira's wish list — The free-agent first baseman seems to be leaning toward an East Coast team. — Recommend — Spraying to all fields, wondering what Angels fans want for Christmas: — Well, we found out this week what Angels free agent Mark Teixeira wants — a home for the holidays.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Ohman on radar for relief help — With Brian Fuentes' exit a foregone conclusion, the Rockies' search for a left-handed reliever has led them toward Ponderosa High School alumnus Will Ohman. — The Rockies have spoken to Ohman's agent, but have yet to make a contract offer to the 31-year-old free agent.