Top News:
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Bombers Brewin' up 30M offer for 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. — According to a source …
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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.
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
3 UP: K-Rod, Ankiel and Sheets — 1. The Mets are about to get much better in the ninth inning and much worse behaved in the eyes of their most heated rivals. Remember how the Phillies and the rest of the NL East have expressed open distaste for the Mets' prancing style, embodied most by Jose Reyes' gesticulations?
MLB.com:
Yanks expected to make offer to Sheets — Team met with righty Monday; said to be preparing offer — Though the Yankees are still very much at the center of the talks with free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia, they may be preparing to make a run at another ace — Ben Sheets.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
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.
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 …
Discussion:
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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.
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.
Jon Paul Morosi / Detroit Free Press:
NEXT MOVE?: Trade could come for closer J.J. Putz or signing Kerry Wood
NEXT MOVE?: Trade could come for closer J.J. Putz or signing Kerry Wood
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 …
Discussion:
Inside the Dodgers, AZ Snakepit, Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness, Dodger Thoughts and 6-4-2
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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.
Discussion:
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Tony Jackson / Inside the Dodgers:
Tomorrow notes: Blake deal not quite done
Tomorrow notes: Blake deal not quite done
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball, ESPN, Yahoo! Sports, LA Times Sports Blog, Hot Stove Blog and MLB Rumors
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.
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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.
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
A few things heard — LAS VEGAS - A few things heard while walking through the Bellagio Hotel early this morning at the Baseball Winter Meetings: — 1. The Red Sox are one of a few teams mentiond by agent Tom O'Connell as interested parties for free-agent right-hander Carl Pavano, a former Red Sox farmhand.
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:
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Peavy headed to Cubs or back to San Diego
Peavy headed to Cubs or back to San Diego
Discussion:
It is about the money, stupid
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Towers sets deadline on potential Peavy trade
Towers sets deadline on potential Peavy trade
Discussion:
Philly.com, ESPN, MLB.com, ESPN, GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, The Cub Reporter (TCR), My Pinstripes, Gaslamp Ball and Cubs f/x
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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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
O's met with Teixeira, but no offer yet — Club in serious talks about deal to send catcher Hernandez to Reds; chance to land Burnett fading — LAS VEGAS - The Orioles still aren't considered the favorites to land coveted free agent Mark Teixeira, but you can't say they're not trying.
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