Top News:
ESPN:
Red Sox sign Pedroia to $40.5M extension — The Red Sox rewarded their newest MVP with an extension Wednesday. — Second baseman Dustin Pedroia has signed a six-year, $40.5 million extension with Boston through 2014 with a club option for the 2015 season, ESPN's Peter Gammons is reporting.
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Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Pedroia breakdown — In case you're wondering, here's the precise breakdown of Dustin Pedroia's new six-year, $40.5 million contract with the Red Sox, which is due to be formally announced at approximately 3 p.m. today: — Signing bonus - $1.5 million — Base salaries — 2009 - $1.5 million
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Agent: SS Renteria closing in on deal with Giants … The agent for shortstop Edgar Renteria said Wednesday that he's making significant progress toward a deal that would bring the five-time All-Star to the San Francisco Giants. — “We're working on it and we're certainly much, much closer …
Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Giants aim to shore up infield — Buzz up! — Needing offense and an overhaul of the left side of their infield, the San Francisco Giants believe they are closing in on signing shortstop Edgar Renteria and have discussed a trade that would send left-handed starter Jonathan Sanchez …
Ryan Divish / Mariners Insider:
And the first free agent is ..... Russell Branyan. — The Mariners first free agent signing is third baseman/hitter Russell Branyan. — “Russell gives us a veteran left-handed bat with power and can be used as a first baseman, third baseman or designated hitter,” said Zduriencik.
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Associated Press:
Mariners, 1B Branyan agree to one-year contract — SEATTLE — Free-agent first baseman Russell Branyan and the Seattle Mariners agreed Wednesday to a one-year contract. — The left-handed-hitting Branyan batted .250 with 12 homers and 20 RBIs in just 132 at-bats with the Milwaukee Brewers last season.
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yanks watch as Braves aim for A.J. — While the Yankees sit and wait for CC Sabathia to decide whether it's worth $140 million to pitch in New York, the Braves have put themselves in position to take one of the other big names off the free-agent market. — Just as they were finalizing …
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Reagins says Teixeira still priority — Angels GM doesn't expect much to happen before Meetings — ANAHEIM — With Mark Teixeira still the Angels' highest priority, general manager Tony Reagins said he doesn't anticipate anything happening before the Winter Meetings convene in Las Vegas on Monday.
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
What of the Vazquez trade? I think.... I've known aces. Aces have been friends of mine (OK, that's a stretch). And you, Javier Vazquez, are no ace. — That said, Vazquez is a definite middle-rotation upgrade for a Braves team that didn't have any pitcher work 200 innings last season and had only one …
Discussion:
Crooked Pitch
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Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:
One Man's Hall of Fame Vote — Now that it's OK to say you're a liberal without being forced to live in an underground bunker, I will go ahead and admit it: I am a liberal, especially when it comes time to vote for the Hall of Fame. For the 12th straight December, I will have the privilege …
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
UPDATED: Giants sign Howry — From beat writer Henry Schulman: — The Giants have signed reliever Bobby Howry, a right-hander and one of their former prospects, to a one-year contract. The Associated Press pegs the deal at $2.75 million. — Howry, 35, is a power pitcher who has pitched …
Discussion:
El Lefty Malo
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Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:
WILPON NOT WORRIED ABOUT SLOW OFFSEASON — Nearly three weeks into free agency and with a gaping hole at closer, the Mets' only major move so far has been re-signing journeyman outfielder Fernando Tatis. — But Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon isn't worried about the glacial pace being set by GM Omar Minaya.
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays' full playoff shares top $200,000 — ST. PETERSBURG — The stunning run to the World Series benefited the entire Rays organization. For the players, coaches, manager Joe Maddon and some staff members, that reward included a $223,390.05 bonus.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
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Kevin Baxter / LA Times Sports Blog:
Angels' Kendry Morales is hot, just like the winter weather — Kendry Morales admits there's a noticeable difference between professional baseball in the U.S. and winter ball in the Caribbean. The U.S. is “a lot colder,” the Angels slugger says. — But Morales' performance has been anything …
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates in talks with Turnbow — Free-agent reliever found hard times with Brewers — The Pirates are in discussions with free-agent reliever Derrick Turnbow. — Turnbow, 30, was Milwaukee's closer when he pitched in the 2006 All-Star Game at PNC Park, but he has fallen far since that 39-save season …
