Top News:
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Mets close to 3-year deal with K-Rod … LAS VEGAS — The Mets appeared to be closing in late Monday night on a deal to bring star free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez to New York. — The deal, expected to be completed very soon, is likely to be for three years and about $37 million …
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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.
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.
Gordon Edes / Yahoo! Sports:
Red Sox set sights on Teixeira — Buzz up! — LAS VEGAS - He is a decision-maker for a team that wants to be in the mix for free agent Mark Teixeira, but he has no illusions regarding the chances that Teixeira will sign with his team. — “I think he'll sign with the Red Sox,” the official said.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Rodriguez isn't thrilled by Mets' offer — Buzz up! — LAS VEGAS - Francisco Rodriguez walked through the lobby at the Bellagio hotel after meeting with the New York Mets on Monday and didn't give the impression that he'd been bowled over by an offer. — Asked if he was meeting with anyone else …
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
METS CLOSE TO SIGNING K-ROD — LAS VEGAS - The Mets were on the brink last night of closing their most important game of the offseason - landing closer Francisco Rodriguez. — Rodriguez's agent, Paul Kinzer, said, “I am more optimistic than I have ever been” about finalizing a deal between the single-season save leader and the Mets.
Joel Sherman / Hardball:Winter Meetings update
Discussion:
Boston Globe, sox1fan.com, Tribe Report, Zell's Pinstripe Blog, Hardball, Hot Stove Blog, MLB Rumors, MetsBlog.com, New Jersey Online, My Pinstripes, Sliding Into Home, Mets Merized Online, iYankees, The Sommer Frieze, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog, The 'Ropolitans, Denver Post and Bugs & Cranks
Jon Paul Morosi / Detroit Free Press:NEXT MOVE?: Trade could come for closer J.J. Putz or signing Kerry Wood
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yankees Brewin' up multi-year offer for free agent Ben Sheets — LAS VEGAS - While most of the attention in the Yankees' universe is focused on CC Sabathia, the Bombers are preparing to make an offer to another free agent pitcher from Milwaukee in the next 72 hours.
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Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Pettitte among numerous options for Sox — LAS VEGAS - Shortly after Theo Epstein met with reporters tonight, an agent walking the hall of the Bellagio resort and casino gave the Red Sox the supreme compliment. — “They explore everything,” said the agent.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yankees going full throttle after Burnett — Club reportedly ready to go beyond Braves' offer to right-hander — LAS VEGAS — Brian Cashman left the Winter Meetings campus at noon PT on Monday, summoned for a short ride up the Strip by CC Sabathia for a second chat with the Yankees' top pitching target.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
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.
Jon Heyman / For the Record:Sabathia talks with BoSox, but Yanks still in lead
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, JSOnline, ESPN, New Jersey Online, iYankees, Sliding Into Home, WEEI Blogs and MLB Rumors
Scott Miller's Bull Pennings:
Phillies involved in Cubs-Padres Peavy talks — LAS VEGAS — The continued effort between San Diego and the Cubs to figure out a way to send ace Jake Peavy to Chicago has resulted in their engaging the Philadelphia Phillies as a potential third team to help facilitate a deal, CBSSports.com has learned.
Discussion:
MASN Online, Phillies Nation, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, Chicago's Inside Pitch and Hot Foot
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Towers sets deadline on potential Peavy trade — Jake Peavy reacts while pitching against the Baltimore Orioles, June 19, 2007. — LAS VEGAS — General Manager Kevin Towers, wrapping up his first full day at the winter meetings, said the Padres have identified the players needed …
Discussion:
Philly.com, ESPN, MLB.com, ESPN, The Cub Reporter (TCR), GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, Gaslamp Ball, Cubs f/x, MLB Rumors and Chicago Sun Times
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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Ken Gurnick / Hot Stove Blog:
Loretta, Dodgers agree to deal — The Dodgers bolstered their infield depth Monday night by agreeing to terms with utilityman Mark Loretta on a one-year contract, according to agent Bob Garber. Loretta must pass a physical exam Tuesday for the deal to be official.
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers agree to terms with Loretta — Infielder must pass physical before one-year deal is official — LAS VEGAS — While closing in on re-signing third baseman Casey Blake, the Dodgers further solidified their infield depth Monday night by agreeing to terms with veteran utilityman Mark Loretta …
Dave Sheinin / Nationals Journal:
Wrapping Up Day One — Here is the text of what I wrote about the Nationals for the print edition. Go to the jump for some additional nuggets that did not make the paper: — Whatever the view around the game is of the Washington Nationals' unlikely pursuit of free agent Mark Teixeira …
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
Baseball Executives Face the Odds — LAS VEGAS — The mission for every general manager at the baseball winter meetings here is to help build a team into a World Series champion. Some teams have a legitimate chance. Some have almost no chance. If the executives want to know how their chances …
Discussion:
Hardball Times
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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.
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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 …
Discussion:
Hot Stove Blog, MLB.com, Zell's Pinstripe Blog, The Yankee Scrolls, MLB Rumors and Pinstripes, Pa.
