Top News:
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
Winter Meetings update — The Mets talked several weeks ago to the Red Sox about dealing Brian Schneider. But the Met plan then was to trade Schneider and hopefully sign free agent Jason Varitek because the Mets thought better game-calling was needed. But once the Red Sox agreed …
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Dave Sheinin / Baseball Insider:
Red Sox-Mets Talking Deal For Schneider — Two industry sources here at the Bellagio have confirmed the Boston Red Sox are in discussions with the New York Mets about catcher Brian Schneider, a further indication the Red Sox are preparing for the departure of captain Jason Varitek.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, MLB Rumors, 24 Hours From Suicide, My Pinstripes, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog and The 'Ropolitans
ESPN.com:
GM: Sabathia says he would like to be a Dodger — Maybe CC Sabathia does indeed want to work close to home. — Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark on Monday that he ran into the free agent on Sunday night in a hotel lobby and the left-hander told him that he wants to be a Dodger.
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ESPN
John R. Finger / csnphilly.com:
Phillies Meet with Infielder Nick Punto — LAS VEGAS - According to the initial reports, second baseman Chase Utley's rehabilitation from hip surgery is going well. Better yet, the arthroscopy did not find excessive damage to the labrum. The initial diagnosis and convalescence time has held true for the All-Star.
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National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum:
Gordon elected to Hall by Veterans Committee — Former Yankees, Indians second baseman to be enshrined in 2009 — National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum — COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Nine-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion Joe Gordon was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame today by the Veterans Committee.
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Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Veterans elect '40s star Gordon to Hall — Second baseman for Yankees, Indians picked by committee — LAS VEGAS — Joe Gordon, a nine-time All-Star second baseman for the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians and an American League MVP, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame …
Discussion:
Out Of Left Field, My Pinstripes, The Griddle, The Cub Reporter (TCR) and Sliding Into Home
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Update from the suite — Brian Cashman just said he met again today with CC Sabathia. “We're on his list,” Cashman said. — More to come. — UPDATE, 7:02 p.m.: Joe Girardi said he felt good about the meeting. Sabathia asked questions about the lifestyle in New York for his wife and kids, schools, etc.
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
CC tells Colletti of interest in Dodgers — Dodgers GM hopes to re-sign Blake; talks for Cano not substantial — LAS VEGAS — In the Bellagio Hotel to meet with Yankees brass on Sunday night, free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia ran into Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti and told him he wants to be a Dodger, Colletti said on Monday.
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Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Blue Jays are interested in Furcal — Buzz up! — LAS VEGAS - Last we heard from Rafael Furcal, the free-agent shortstop had turned down a four-year offer from the Oakland Athletics amid reduced demand all over and concerns that his back problems could flare up again.
Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Dodgers near agreement with Blake — Buzz up! — LAS VEGAS - The Los Angeles Dodgers are nearing a contract agreement with third baseman Casey Blake after raising their offer to three years, sources said Monday morning. — The team expected to hear more from Blake's representative, Jim McDowell, as the meetings went on.
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
K-Rod looking cozy with Mets — It seems that the lobby of the Bellagio is no longer the place to be for stakeout duty here. Now the crush of reporters, as well as curious passersby, are clogging the area around the elevator banks on the fringe of the casino.
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New York Post:
K-ROD'S AGENT WILLING TO BE CREATIVE WITH METS — TALKING ABOUT SHORTER DEAL WITH OPT-OUT — Francisco Rodriguez's agent, Paul Kinzer, acknowledges his client set the single-season saves record at the wrong time. With the economy spiraling, Kinzer acknowledged the bids for his client are down, as well.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Peavy's agent, Towers share ride to Vegas — Padres general manager Kevin Towers wanted some company for the 4½-hour drive from San Diego to Las Vegas for the winter meetings, so he shared the ride with good friend Barry Axelrod — who happens to be the agent for Padres pitcher Jake Peavy.
Discussion:
Scott Miller's Bull Pennings, San Diego Union-Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, WEEI Blogs, Hot Foot, MLB Rumors and Fenway West
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Maddux will be missed; could Ankiel be a Brave? — Las Vegas — He walked among us as just another guy, with an rather unimpressive physique and a wonderful whacked-out, self-deprecating sense of humor. — But atop the pitcher's mound, Greg Maddux was not just another guy. Or even just another major league ace.
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Marquis appears a longshot given Rockies' payroll — LAS VEGAS — The Rockies have intensified their search for a starter at the winter meetings today, but the Cubs' Jason Marquis doesn't appear a fit. Colorado likes Marquis and has discussed him internally.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Jays plan to meet with Pavano's agent — Right-hander made just 26 starts in four years with Yankees — LAS VEGAS — In their quest to add depth to a depleted starting rotation, the Blue Jays will consider some reclamation projects this offseason. Case in point, Toronto plans on meeting …
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
YANKEES MEET WITH BEN SHEETS — LAS VEGAS — In addition to meeting with CC Sabathia today, the Yankees met with his former Brewers teammate and fellow free agent, Ben Sheets, late this afternoon. — Sheets, 30, who started the All-Star Game for the National League this season …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Cordero expected in Vegas on Monday — Nats out of running for closer, who spent six seasons with club — LAS VEGAS — Reliever Chad Cordero is expected to arrive at the Bellagio Resort on Monday night to talk to some big league clubs, according to a baseball source.
