Top News:
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.
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ESPN.com:
Sources: Mets agree to 3-year deal with K-Rod — The New York Mets agreed to a three-year deal with free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. — Rodriguez's deal, worth $37 million plus additional incentives, is pending a physical, which the New York Post reported will take place Wednesday.
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Mets, K-Rod reach agreement on 3-year, $37M deal … LAS VEGAS — The Mets and star free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez have agreed to a deal. — The deal, which is expected to be consummated very soon, is said to be for about $37 million over three years.
Joel Sherman / Hardball:3 UP: K-Rod, Ankiel and Sheets
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, NY Daily News, River Avenue Blues, MLB Rumors, Scott Proctor's Arm and Sliding Into Home
Andrew Baggarly / Extra Baggs:
UPDATED: Giants talk to Sabathia's camp; Yanks rumored to be out, Brewers emerging — UPDATE: An executive close to the CC Sabathia talks told me the perception is that the Brewers are emerging as the frontrunner. — It's been confirmed to me that the Giants had discussions with CC Sabathia's camp …
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Tony Jackson / Inside the Dodgers:Sabathia slipping from Dodgers' grasp?
Discussion:
Scott Proctor's Arm
John Perrotto / Unfiltered:
Vegas updates 4:50p.m. —Free agent Jason Giambi met with the Rays on Tuesday and is a candidate to fill their designated hitter slot. —The Brewers are expected to move to the head of the class in the Brian Fuentes sweepstakes now that free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez has agreed …
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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.
Discussion:
Philly.com, ESPN, GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, San Diego Union-Tribune, MLB FanHouse and Hot Foot
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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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Indians close to deal with closer Wood — Offer to ex-Cubs fireballer includes option for third season — LAS VEGAS — The Indians just might satisfy their need for a closer at the Winter Meetings. — Talks with free-agent right-hander Kerry Wood have gained momentum this week …
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.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, Al's Ramblings, MLB FanHouse, Mariners Insider, Detroit Tigers, Hot Foot and Bleeding Blue and Teal
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Baltimore Sun:
Orioles trade Hernandez — Catcher dealt to Reds for Freel, two minor league infielders — LAS VEGAS - The Orioles have met one of their objectives at the winter meetings, finding a taker for veteran catcher Ramon Hernandez. — The club announced tonight that it will send Hernandez …
Geoff Baker / Mariners Blog:
Wood to Indians? — UPDATE (2:15 p.m.): A little broken telephone going on. It's actually Orioles catcher Ramon Hernandez going to the Reds for outfielder Ryan Freel et al. Sorry for the mix-up. Expecting an announcement shortly...at 3:30 p.m., I'm now told.
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Red Sox have more on mind than Teixeira — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — LAS VEGAS — While the Red Sox [team stats] continue to bide their time on making an offer to free agent Mark Teixeira, they continue to work multiple fronts in their efforts to improve the team.
RELATED:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:Sox interested in Pavano? (And other whispers . . .)
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, WEEI Blogs, MLB Rumors, Providence Journal, Center Field, Projo Sox Blog and Bugs & Cranks
John Perrotto / Beaver County Times & Allegheny Times:
Tigers, Dodgers deny interest in Bucs' Wilson — LAS VEGAS — Jack Wilson is not going to be a member of the Detroit Tiger on opening day in 2009 and he also isn't going to be with the Los Angeles Dodgers. — Despite plenty of reports to the contrary, high-ranked officials from both teams …
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Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Kubek honored with '09 Frick Award — Former Yankee was voice of a generation in NBC broadcast — Tony Kubek, the former New York Yankees shortstop who made even a bigger name for himself in his post-playing career as an analyst on NBC's old “Game of the Week” telecasts …
Discussion:
LA Times Sports Blog
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Barry M. Bloom / National Baseball Hall …:Veterans tab Joe Gordon for Hall of Fame
Discussion:
Hardball Times, Baseball Analysts, Baseball Prospectus, The Futility Infielder and Bluebird Banter
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 …
Discussion:
Baseball Digest Daily Blog, MetsBlog.com, ESPN, Mets Today, MLB Rumors, Bottom9 Baseball and Hardball Times
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Darren Rovell / Sports Biz with Darren Rovell:
Billy Ripken Obscenity Bat: He Finally Talks 20 Years Later — Had Billy Ripken not received a shipment of less than ideal Louisville Slugger R161 models that year... Had Billy Ripken not decided to use one of those bats for batting practice that year... Had Billy Ripken not elected to mark that bat in a unique way that year...
Marc Topkin / The Heater:
Rays met with Giambi — The Rays apparently moved quickly in the next stage of their information gathering process on candidate to improve their offense, with word around the Bellagio that they met late Monday night with Jason Giambi. They are also scheduled to meet sometime in the next 24 hours …
