Top News:
Larry LaRue / Mariners Insider:
Mariners and Raul Ibanez part ways again — Raul Ibanez will decline binding salary arbitration today and, for the second time in his career, leave the Seattle Mariners. — The first time was even less appetizing - the Mariners simply let Ibanez go after the 2000 season, and Kansas City signed him as a free agent.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, River Avenue Blues, iYankees, MVN, Lookout Landing, Pinstripes, Pa. and Cubs f/x
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Need a player? See Texas Rangers — egrant@dallasnews.com — Forget the gambling and the nightlife; Las Vegas is the nation's No. 1 destination for trade shows. — Almost anybody can roll into town, set up a display booth and start selling wares at wholesale prices.
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Nat Boyle / MLB Rumors:
Rangers Cutting Payroll? — By Nat Boyle [December 7 at 12:10pm CST] — While not making any drastic reductions, the Rangers may be shedding payroll says Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. This could make available Gerald Laird, Hank Blalock, Kevin Millwood, and Vincente Padilla.
David Appelman / FanGraphs Baseball:
UZR on FanGraphs — I'm pleased to announce that UZR (ultimate zone ratings) stats are now available on FanGraphs! — This would of course not be possible without MGL (Mitchel Lichtman), and I'm extremely grateful that he allowed us to use his fielding model.
Discussion:
Hardball Times, Baseball Musings, DRaysBay, The Detroit Tiger Weblog and Beyond the Box Score
Jon Heyman / For the Record:
Hot Stove News Tracker The Latest Buzz from around the Majors — LAS VEGAS — Superstar free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia would love to go home to the Giants. But do they have the resolve, or more importantly, the cash, to bid anywhere in the Yankees' stratosphere?
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Geoff Baker / Seattle Times:
Jack Zduriencik likely looking to boost Mariners' power — A year ago in Nashville, Tenn., former Mariners general manager... LAS VEGAS — The stunning difference 12 months has made for the Mariners should be hammered home this week. — A year ago in Nashville, Tenn. …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Richard Griffin / Toronto Star:
Jays left on bench as 4 ‘big boys’ wait for offers — The baseball winter meetings commence tomorrow in the adult playground of the Nevada desert and the Jays are approaching this annual horsehide flesh market of trades and free agency like eunuchs at a bordello.
Regis Courtemanche / MetsBlog.com:
Read: Q&A with Original Mr. Met — Recently, I sat down with Dan Reilly, the original Mr. Met. — Our conversation was truly a step back into Mets history, and thanks to Mr. Reilly's first person accounts, I felt like I had been there myself. — Reilly's new book, “The Original Mr. Met Remembers …
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
A-Rod commits to Dominican team — Yankees slugger played for U.S. squad in 2006 Classic — NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez is ready to see the World Baseball Classic from another viewpoint, as the three-time MVP said Saturday that he will switch uniforms and represent the Dominican Republic.
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Mike Florio / ProFootballTalk.com:
IS TODAY THE DAY FOR DETROIT? — With 12 losses to start the 2008 season and only four more chances to avoid the first 0-16 season ever, the Detroit Lions welcome to town a team that they faced in an identical situation seven years ago. — It was December 16, 2001, the first year of the Matt Millen experience in Motown.
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
WINTER MEETINGS: Set to make their pitch — Brian Cashman and Omar Minaya will arrive in Las Vegas today, just about five weeks after they arrived in Dana Point, Calif., for the general managers' meetings. — In the interim, well ... you could've guessed the two New York baseball general managers stayed …
Lavelle E. Neal III / Post Bulletin:
Twins seek third baseman or shortstop before pickings get slim — Twins General Manager Bill Smith headed to Las Vegas on Saturday to attend a pre-winter meetings meeting. Good thing he's already on the scene, because the Twins' offseason has just become more challenging.
