Top News:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
YANKEES: Cash and Teixeira meet — Next up for Yankees' GM is a sit-down with Sabathia in Las Vegas — The Yankees, with money to spend and holes to fill, have done everything but climb the nearest mountain and scream, “We are prioritizing pitching!” But that didn't stop general manager Brian Cashman …
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Brewers may up ante for CC — LAS VEGAS — The Brewers apparently mean business. — Free-agent ace CC Sabathia has told friends he is expecting the Brewers to upgrade their five-year, $100 million offer in coming days. Milwaukee is apparently refusing to back down from a fight …
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MLB Rumors
JSOnline:
Free-agent shuffle might not draw ace — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — Truth be told, the Milwaukee Brewers aren't sure if they have even a faint chance of re-signing free agent left-hander CC Sabathia. — But they'd like to know, one way or the other.
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Al's Ramblings
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Cashman: I'll CC you in Vegas — Most everyone will have their eyes on the ring when Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao square off in Saturday night's big fight in Las Vegas. The Yankees, however, are more interested in one of the fight fans. — Because free agent pitcher CC Sabathia …
La Velle / Twins Insider:
Twins break off talks with Casey Blake — The Twins on Friday ended their pursuit of Casey Blake after the sides couldn't work out a deal for the free agent third baseman, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said. — Unless there's another team involved, it looks like the Dodgers are in the lead for Blake.
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
KENNEDY GETS TIPS FROM COLLEGE COACH — Ian Kennedy has grown up a bit this offseason. He also has improved his curveball. The two go hand in hand. Kennedy must have command of his curveball to succeed. — The right-hander traveled from New York to Southern California then Tampa …
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iYankees
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Christian Red / NY Daily News:
Pedro plans to keep on pitching — PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic - Pedro Martinez set off a frenzy of spending Friday night, but it had nothing to do with his free agency. — Martinez was at the Blue Marlin Restaurant at the exclusive Cap Cana resort, donating $10,000 from his foundation …
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Dionisio Soldevila / Associated Press:
A-Rod to play for Dominicans in 2009 WBC — Buzz up! — PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic (AP)—Alex Rodriguez is switching sides. — The New York Yankees star will play for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, he said Saturday. — Rodriguez made the announcement …
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The LoHud Yankees Blog
Tim Sullivan / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Enigmatic shortstop appears to be a victim of his lofty ambitions — Perfection has eluded Khalil Greene. So, it seems, has joy. — The shortstop who left the Padres on Thursday for St. Louis departs as a riddle wrapped in a mystery beneath a Jeff Spicoli haircut.
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Gaslamp Ball
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Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:Payroll room for Peavy deal?
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Chicago Tribune, Mets Merized Online, MetsBlog.com, GoatRiders of the Apocalypse and MLB Rumors
External / ESPN:
Olney: Mets will get their closer — The Mets intend to present what they consider to be suitable offers to closer targets during the winter meetings. It's not known precisely what they will offer to which pitcher, but here is an educated guess: Francisco Rodriguez, three years and $36 million …
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
Free agent Furcal declines A's multiyear offer — Talks between Oakland and shortstop Rafael Furcal broke down Friday after Furcal's side rejected a multiyear offer that was essentially take-it-or-leave-it from the Athletics. — “They needed some freedom to make the moves they needed to …
Dan Rosenheck / New York Times:
Ranking Top Closers in Baseball Is Not Always Open and Shut — After smashing the single-season saves record with 62, Francisco Rodríguez seemed well positioned for a plum free-agent payday. But the market for his services has been soft. After initially suggesting a five-year …
