Top News:
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Buyers Beware: $100M pitching pacts big risks — A general manager is both hopeful and nervous about giving a pitcher a contract of $100 million or more, sort of how a pilot might feel flying into The Bermuda Triangle. Neither knows what will happen during the contract or the flight …
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home, Bugs & Cranks, New Jersey Online, BASEBALL HOT CORNER and Replacement Level …
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
First-Time Positive Results Withheld — Major League Baseball said earlier this week that the number of players who tested positive for amphetamines for the first time in 2008 would be made public in a report on its drug-testing program to be released in January.
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Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Baseball Pulls Curtain on Amphetamine Tests — Since Major League Baseball began testing for amphetamines in 2006, it has been difficult to determine the policy's value as a deterrent. Players who tested positive for the first time were not identified or punished, so there was no way of knowing if 20 …
Discussion:
ESPN
Tracy Ringolsby / Fox Sports:
Do the numbers still add up for Hall? — There are stats that ensure a players' Hall of Fame future. — Or do they? — Have the numbers been blurred in recent years to the point where what once were standards no longer provide guarantees for enshrinement?
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Sources: Righthander Koplove signs with Phillies — Last December, a little known free agent named Chad Durbin signed with the Phillies and went on to establish himself as one of the key components in a bullpen that finished the regular season ranked as the best in the National League East.
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates plan patience with offseason moves — Wilson, Grabow, Paulino discussed in trades; little in free agency — The way general manager Neal Huntington sees it, the Pirates' coming winter could be downright tumultuous. — Or not. — “It could be an offseason where there is a significant change …
Sean McAdam / Boston Herald:
Detroit Tigers lose interest in a Julio Lugo trade — A week after trading away center fielder Coco Crisp [stats], the Red Sox [team stats]' efforts to move shortstop Julio Lugo [stats] have stalled. — The team had some discussions earlier this month with the Detroit Tigers, who are in the market for a shortstop.
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Alex Walsh / MLB Rumors:
Boston Signs Junichi Tazawa? — By Alex Walsh [November 28 at 11:36am CST] — Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa appears close to signing with the Boston Red Sox, reports Chad Finn at the Boston Globe. The offer for the 22-year old is reportedly a three-year, major league deal nearing $6MM …
Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
Identifying major holes teams need to fill … It is great fun this time of year to rework lineups, starting rotations and bullpens after a trade or a free-agent signing. It is just as interesting to determine how teams will fill holes that are left from those trades and signings.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Los Angeles Times:
Francisco Rodriguez's agent will wait on contract talks — Paul Kinzer, who represents the Angels' closer, says he won't start detailed discussions with teams until the winter meetings in two weeks. — Staff And Wire Reports — The agent for Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez …
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse
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Associated Press:
Ex-major leaguer Burgess dead at 81 — LAMBETH, Ontario (AP)—Tom Burgess, who played briefly in the major leagues before serving as a coach under Joe Torre and Bobby Cox, has died. He was 81. — A member of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, Burgess died Monday at his Lambeth home …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers lend a hand in tough times — More than 17,000 items donated to assorted charities — MILWAUKEE — These days, Brewers Charities president Lynn Sprangers finds herself with one eye on baseball's trade- and free-agent markets and another on the stock market.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball