Top News:
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
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:
Lookout Landing
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.
RELATED:
Dionisio Soldevila / Associated Press:A-Rod to play for Dominicans in 2009 WBC
Discussion:
Baseball Digest Daily Blog
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.
RELATED:
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.
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 …
Discussion:
New York Times, JSOnline, bronxbanterblog.com, San Francisco Chronicle, MLB Rumors and Newsday
RELATED:
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 …
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.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Lots of guessing surrounds Cubs at winter meetings — Ace Peavy, leadoff man also could be on radar — The only clue Jim Hendry has revealed about his Las Vegas game plan is the well-known fact that the Cubs are searching for a left-handed hitter, preferably for right field.
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays: The story so far heading into baseball's winter meetings — Besides Joe Maddon's AL manager of the year, Evan Longoria's AL rookie of the year and Andrew Friedman's executive of the year awards, the Rays' offseason has been extraordinarily quiet so far.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Smoltz ‘way ahead of schedule’ — Braves free agent pitcher rehabbing from shoulder surgery — The Braves say they can't yet count on John Smoltz to make it back from shoulder surgery and pitch in 2009, but manager Bobby Cox had his own opinion after watching him throw Friday.
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Where are they now? Ex-Yankee Ed Figueroa — During the late 1970s, a group of Yankees who loved Mexican food met regularly for dinner when the team was on the road in places like Texas. There was Ed Figueroa, Roy White, Chris Chambliss, Willie Randolph and Lou Piniella.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
