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 …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, On the Mets beat, The700Level.com, Big Apple Sports, 24 Hours From Suicide and MLB Rumors
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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.
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.
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, WEEI Blogs, Sliding Into Home and MLB Rumors
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 / 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 …
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.
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
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
Jayson Stark / ESPN:Peavy headed to Cubs or back to San Diego
Discussion:
It is about the money, stupid
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.
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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
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.
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Tyler Kepner / Bats:Remember Ben Sheets? The Yankees Do
Discussion:
On the Yankees beat, JSOnline, Zell's Pinstripe Blog, New Jersey Online and My Pinstripes
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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Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
Madden: CC doesn't seem high on Yanks — LAS VEGAS - Is CC Sabathia afraid of New York? It is sure beginning to sound like that as the big lefty continues to sit on the Yankees' six-year, $140 million offer - an offer that would make him the highest paid pitcher in baseball - with no other team remotely close to those numbers.
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