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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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 …
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, MLB Rumors and GoatRiders of the Apocalypse
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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David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Doctor in the House — Ian Kennedy received some House work from a former pitching coach. … Good for Kennedy. He's getting good results in winter ball, but he also looked like a star in AAA in 2008. Whenever I read stories like this, I wonder why the major league coaches don't pick up on these things.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
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 …
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.
Jason Parks / Baseball Time in Arlington:
Kevin Goldstein Q&A: Part I — Esteemed Baseball Prospectus author Kevin Goldstein, who is widely regarded as one of the foremost experts in the field of prospect evaluation, generously devoted some of his valuable time to answering reader-submitted questions pertaining to the Texas Rangers …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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 …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Plenty of clients, and offers, for Boras — Agent enters Winter Meetings representing 16 free agents — LAS VEGAS — At the upcoming Winter Meetings, agent Scott Boras will be representing 16 free agents. How does he juggle that workload and keep all of the customers satisfied?
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
Free-agent SS 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 …
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
Appreciating the genius of Maddux … Baseball is much less interesting today. Greg Maddux, after all these years playing with house money and playing with hitters, took his ball and went home. — The magic show is over. I dislike absolutes, but of this I am sure …
