Top News:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Sox likely to offer arbitration to Varitek — Catcher would then bring compensation if he signs elsewhere — BOSTON — Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein will face an important deadline when midnight ET strikes at the end of Monday, as he must decide by then whether to extend arbitration offers to his six-year free agents.
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs likely to offer Wood arbitration — Chicago would receive two Draft picks if closer signs elsewhere — CHICAGO — The Cubs were expected to offer free agent Kerry Wood arbitration on Monday, but they may not do so for their other free agents such as Jim Edmonds, Daryle Ward and Bob Howry.
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Angels face crucial arbitration calls — K-Rod, Teixeira, Anderson among five players eligible — The Angels, in a winter of major decisions, have until 9 p.m. PT Monday to extend arbitration offers to an impressive quintet of six-year Major League free agents: Mark Teixeira …
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Halos Heaven
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Arbitration: To offer or not to offer? — It's a tricky business with free agents; this year could be trickier — In ordinary offseasons, the deadline for clubs to offer arbitration to their ranked free agents, which this time arrives Monday at midnight ET, has been a rather predictable occasion.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Tazawa agrees to 3-year Red Sox contract — In the absence of big offseason news, the Red Sox are continuing to put smaller pieces in place. This week, they likely will confirm one of the worst-kept secrets in baseball. — Junichi Tazawa is coming to Boston.
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Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Sox, Tazawa have deal in place — While the free agent market continued to move at a snail's pace, a baseball source confirmed today that the Sox have reached agreement with Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa pending the outcome of a physical exam this week. — According to the same source …
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Fuentes plans to visit Mets — One man's trip is another team's future draft pick. Or picks, as it were. — Rockies closer Brian Fuentes has scheduled a visit to the New York Mets as part of his free-agent decision-making process, his agent told The Denver Post. — The Rockies are not in the picture.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Mailbag: How is the 'pen setting up? — Beat reporter Bryan Hoch answers fans' burning questions — All of the talk has been about the starting rotation lately, but not many people are talking about the Yankees' bullpen. Who will we have in relief this season setting up for Mariano Rivera?
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Unmasking the starting catcher — Beat reporter Alyson Footer answers fans' burning questions — Who do you think will be starting at catcher on Opening Day? Also, how long do you think it will take for Jason Castro to reach the big leagues? — My best guess for Opening …
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
BASEBALL: Arbitration: Abreu, Ollie? — The Yankees intend to offer arbitration to their own free agent, Bobby Abreu, by tonight's midnight deadline, and the Mets likely will do the same with their own free agent, Oliver Perez. — The rest of the local teams' free agents …
