Top News:
ESPN:
Source: Vazquez goes to Braves in 5-player deal — Right-handed pitcher Javier Vazquez has been told he's headed from the Chicago White Sox to the Atlanta Braves in a deal which is likely to be finalized on Wednesday. — Vazquez is flying to Atlanta on Wednesday morning for a physical.
Discussion:
The 'Ropolitans
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Braves To Acquire Javier Vazquez — By Tim Dierkes [December 2 at 5:34pm CST] — 5:34pm: Rosenthal says an announcement could come Wednesday or Thursday. He says Lillibridge is in the deal along with a young starter, but it's not Reyes. Additionally, highly regarded catcher Tyler Flowers might …
Dan Graziano / New Jersey Online:
Atlanta Braves to acquire Javier Vazquez from White Sox — We have confirmed that physical exams are the only remaining hurdle in a deal that will send right-hander Javier Vazquez from the Chicago White Sox to the Atlanta Braves. The deal was first reported by Ken Rosenthal of foxsports.com …
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Hampton turns down Braves, signs with Astros — Free agent left-hander took less money to be closer to children — Now that he's finally healthy, pitcher Mike Hampton is bolting the Braves. — The veteran free agent agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with Houston …
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Hampton is gone, while Peavy is ... Come back ... no, good riddance ... Please stay, we need you ... no, please just go. — Does that pretty much summarize the polarizing presence that was Mike Hampton? — While most of his Braves teammates, and apparently a third of our readers …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
New York Post:
IF PETTITTE SIGNS ELSEWHERE, IN BRONX HE'LL BE A PHONY FOREVER — OVER the past few months, as the economy has tanked, I have received a higher volume of e-mails from fans frustrated at the amounts being offered to players. — Yet, good economy or bad, I almost always stand with the players.
ESPN.com:
Teen signs as Japan's first female pro ballplayer — TOKYO — A 16-year-old Japanese girl signed with a regional baseball team Tuesday, becoming the country's first female professional baseball player. — Eri Yoshida, a knuckleball pitcher, will play for the Kobe 9 Cruise in a new independent league starting in April 2009.
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Bet on Yanks to go all in on pitching — At Winter Meetings in Vegas, Cashman to woo arms beyond CC — NEW YORK — The Yankees haven't exactly been watching the phone waiting for CC Sabathia's call, but their odds of garnering a response from the game's top free-agent pitcher may increase …
Discussion:
iYankees
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:Fuentes will talk with Mets, maybe at winter meetings
Discussion:
24 Hours From Suicide
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
D-Backs don't offer Dunn arbitration — The Diamondbacks offered salary arbitration to Juan Cruz, Brandon Lyon and Orlando Hudson but decided against offering the option to Adam Dunn. — Once offered arbitration, a player has until Dec. 7 to accept or decline.
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:News: These People will officially Cost Draft Picks
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Fox Sports:
Jays' owner, media mogul Rogers dies at 75 — Ted Rogers, owner of the Toronto Blue Jays, died at his home on Monday. He was 75. The founder of Rogers Communications Inc., Canada's largest cable television and mobile phone company, was treated in October for an existing heart condition, the company said Tuesday.
Discussion:
Associated Press
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MLB.com:
Astros sign Brocail to one-year deal — Right-handed pitcher returns for fourth season with club — HOUSTON — The Houston Astros announced today that the club has signed right-handed pitcher Doug Brocail to a one-year, $2.5-million contract, plus incentives.
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Pictures: From Citi Field Tour — I took the following photos while touring Citi Field today: — ...and, of course... I will post the full gallery and hi-res images tomorrow. — RSS 2.0 You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
Discussion:
The Mets Police
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Baltimore Sun:
Talks between O's, Markakis on hold — Right fielder to monitor free-agent market before revisiting contract-extension negotiations; agent says he expects exchanges to resume in late January — Contract-extension talks between the Orioles and their star right fielder Nick Markakis …
myfoxtampabay.com:
Former baseball player arrested on drug charges — TAMPA - A former Major League baseball player who lives in the Bay Area is in jail facing drug charges. — Tampa police arrested Derek Bell, 39, Monday night on four counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. — Arrest records show he lives in Valrico and is unemployed.
George Vecsey / New York Times:
Giving the Mets' New Ballpark a Bad Name — With a mixture of rage and pride, I drove past the Mets' new ballpark Monday and noticed that offensive name still up there. — As Citigroup grovels for a bailout from public funds, the Mets insist the name will not change.
Kary Booher / Baseball America:
Los Angeles Angels — 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:
6-4-2
Keith Groller / Morning Call:
Kruk the same genuine guy off camera — John Kruk doesn't change personalities with the flick of a TV camera light. — The Krukker you see on ESPN's “Baseball Tonight” is the same guy you'll get if you bump into him in line for a beer at the ballpark. — The former Phillies first baseman …
Alan Shipnuck / Sports Illustrated:
Sportsman of the Year: Michael Phelps — He turned a pool in Beijing into the center of the universe, captivating millions with his exhilarating achievements. Now he's using his fame to get more kids swimming safely and to promote his sport as more than a once-every-four-years event
