Top News:
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Mets close to 3-year deal with K-Rod … LAS VEGAS — The Mets appear on the verge of simultaneously interrupting a sluggish baseball market and solving their biggest winter issue. They are closing in on a deal to sign star free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez.
RELATED:
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
METS, K-ROD CONTINUE TALKS — LAS VEGAS - Mets officials and representatives for Francisco Rodriguez were huddled this morning in attempts to put the last items in place for a contract that will bring the elite closer to New York on a contract in three-year, $37 million range.
ESPN:
Source: Mets agree to 3-year deal with K-Rod — Mets Close To Deal With Francisco Rodriguez — The New York Mets agreed to a three-year deal with free-agent reliever Francisco Rodriguez, a source told ESPN. — The deal, worth $37 million plus addition incentives, is pending a physical.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings, Hardball Times, New York Post, The 'Ropolitans, New Jersey Online, Mets Merized Online, MetsBlog.com and Mets Blog
David Lennon / Newsday:Mets close to landing K-Rod with 3-year deal
Discussion:
On the Mets beat, Bugs & Cranks, NJ.com, Ken Davidoff's baseball … and LA Times Sports Blog
Joel Sherman / New York Post:METS CLOSE TO SIGNING K-ROD
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, MattTracy.com, Mets Merized Online, My Pinstripes, The 'Ropolitans and Hot Foot
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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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?
Chicagosports / Hardball:
Cubs close to acquiring Jake Peavy — The Jake Peavy-Cubs trade talks have reached a point where it will be a stunner if the Cubs don't acquire Peavy, who immediately would become the best pitcher on a staff that already boasts Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly and Rich Harden.
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Sox interested in Pavano? (And other whispers . . .) — LAS VEGAS — A few things heard while walking through the Bellagio Hotel early this morning . . . 1. The Red Sox are one of a few teams mentioned by agent Tom O'Connell as interested parties for free agent righthander Carl Pavano, a former Boston farmhand.
Discussion:
Providence Journal, MetsBlog.com, Bugs & Cranks, MLB Rumors, Siberian Baseball, sox1fan.com and Tribe Report
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Pettitte among 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 a supreme compliment. — “They explore everything,” said the agent. — Including a name that should be familiar …
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Indians close to deal with closer Wood — Offer to ex-Cubs fireballer might include option for third year — LAS VEGAS — The Indians appear to be close to signing closer Kerry Wood to a two-year contract, MLB.com has learned. — The offer to Wood might include an option for a third year …
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Jon Paul Morosi / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers, Mariners actively discussing Putz trade — LAS VEGAS - This morning, the Tigers and Seattle Mariners have discussed a trade that would bring closer J.J. Putz back to his home state. — It's not clear if the clubs are close to a deal, but the talks appear to be ongoing.
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 …
RELATED:
Jayson Stark / ESPN.com:Blake, Loretta reach agreements with Dodgers
Discussion:
Inside the Dodgers, Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness, ESPN, LA Times Sports Blog and Hot Stove Blog
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:
Boston Globe, New York Times, Nationals Journal, Red Sox Monster, LA Times Sports Blog, SOX & Dawgs, Philliesflow.com and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
MLB.com:
DeRosa may move to Phillies — Infielder could be instrumental in Cubs obtaining Peavy from Pads — LAS VEGAS — The anticipated absence of Chase Utley for an extended period has prompted the Phillies to become involved in the Cubs' pursuit of Jake Peavy.
RELATED:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:Peavy headed to Cubs or back to San Diego
Discussion:
It is about the money, stupid
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
C.C. Sabathia Rumors: Tuesday — By Tim Dierkes [December 9 at 1:45pm CST] — 1:45pm: Tony Jackson's heard word that Giants officials are “supremely confident” they're going to sign Sabathia. — 1:34pm: Sabathia apparently spent a lot of his time with the Yankees peppering …
RELATED:
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Francoeur for Greinke? — LAS VEGAS — Here are a couple of other things to add to colleague Nick Cafardo's list of items from late last night/this morning: — According to one National League executive, the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves have had serious discussions about a trade …
Barry M. Bloom / National Baseball Hall …:
Veterans tab Joe Gordon for Hall of Fame — Yankees, Indians second baseman named on 10 of 12 ballots — • Veterans Committee news conference: Watch — • Conference call with Gordon's children: Listen — • Hall President Jeff Idelson on this year's election: Watch
RELATED:
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers finalize deal with Lamb — Third baseman seems likely to platoon with incumbent Hall — LAS VEGAS — The Brewers closed the deal with free-agent third baseman Mike Lamb on Tuesday morning, inking the veteran to a one-year contract that had been in the works for several days.
ESPN:
Phils, Mets, Cubs going after Ibanez — The Phillies, Mets and Cubs appear to have separated themselves from the pack of teams pursuing outfielder Raul Ibanez. Ibanez also is on the radar screen of the Braves and Angels. But the Braves have their pursuit of all their outfield options …
ESPN:
Rays might re-acquire Young — Stuff can change fast at the winter meetings. Contrary to what I reported Monday morning on this very blog, there were indications Monday night that Tampa Bay was still talking to the Twins about a deal that would bring outfielder Delmon Young back to the Rays.
