Top News:
Hal McCoy / Dayton Daily News:
Source: Reds deal Bailey for White Sox slugger — Jermaine Dye, a 12-year veteran with a .278 career average, would give team a proven right-handed batter. — With baseball's annual winter meetings unfurling this week at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, rumors run rampant.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox shoot down trade rumors about Dye, Jenks — LAS VEGAS - While the White Sox awaited word on whether free-agent Orlando Cabrera would decline their salary arbitration offer, two trade scenarios were shot down Sunday night on the eve of the winter meetings.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Reds Trade Bailey For Dye? — By Tim Dierkes [December 7 at 7:46pm CST] — According to Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News, a Major League source told him a Homer Bailey for Jermaine Dye trade “is done and will be announced this week.” — It'd essentially be six years of Bailey for one of Dye …
Discussion:
Scott Proctor's Arm
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels may need to decide soon between Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia — They risk losing out on both key free agents if GM Tony Reagins doesn't act decisively. — 1. Tex hold 'em — The Angels have held off on making a substantive offer to first baseman Mark Teixeira …
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MLB Rumors
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Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
More boom or recession for baseball? — Will tough economic times keep pitcher CC Sabathia and sluggers Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira from mega-millions as expected? So far, yes, but this is the week of baseball's winter meetings, when the big bucks usually start to flow.
Jon Heyman / For the Record:Hot Stove News Tracker The Latest Buzz from around the Majors
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Las Vegas dealers — Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin runs a baseball team in middle America. The economy is tough, yet he waits to hear whether CC Sabathia will accept their $100 million offer or whether he'll have to move on to Plan B. — As baseball's winter meetings …
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Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Every Given Sunday — Winter Meetings Preview — As has been well-documented, the free-agent market has been extremely slow to develop; to date only 11 of the 171 players who filed for free agency have signed contracts. There is no word yet if Donald Fehr has asked Congress for a bailout.
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:
Baseball Digest Daily Blog, MLB Rumors, River Avenue Blues, iYankees, MVN, Lookout Landing and Pinstripes, Pa.
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Varitek to decline salary arbitration from Red Sox — LAS VEGAS - A source close to Sox catcher Jason Varitek confirmed that Varitek would decline salary arbitration from the Red Sox before the midnight deadline. This will allow Varitek to pursue his free-agent market without being tied exclusively …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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.
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Mets To Make Offer To K-Rod Tonight — By Tim Dierkes [December 7 at 8:35pm CST] — According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, Mets GM Omar Minaya is meeting with Francisco Rodriguez tonight and is expected to make an offer. Internally, the Mets have discussed offering a three-year deal, possibly with a fourth year vesting option.
George A. King III / New York Post:
YANK PLAN: CHECK, RAISE — Las Vegas is a city built on the backs of losers. Hall of Fame loser O.J. Simpson will leave it in handcuffs. Rap star Tupac departed in a body bag thanks to being ventilated on The Strip after a fight featuring Mike Tyson, one of the all-time losers.
