Top News:
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Angels make eight-year offer to Mark Teixeira — General manager Tony Reagins confirms the offer of a contract, whose value could almost double the previous club record of $90 million given to Torii Hunter last year. — The Angels have offered an eight-year contract to Mark Teixeira, general manager Tony Reagins said Friday night.
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Yankees ought to put Pettitte on back burner — There's still one path the Yankees can take to prove they're not solely a “win now” organization - to show they haven't fully destroyed the culture shift that Brian Cashman worked so hard to instill the previous three seasons.
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Newsday:
YANKEES: A.J. headed for Bronx — Burnett agrees to five years for $82.5M; club still wants Pettitte — The Yankees landed their second premier starting pitcher in 72 hours Friday when righthander A.J. Burnett agreed to a five-year, $82.5-million contract.
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
It's official: Kerry Wood is a Cleveland Indian … Kerry Wood is the Indians closer. — Wood, 31, passed his physical Thursday in Cleveland and the Indians signed him to a two-year deal worth an estimated $20 million. The deal, which will be announced later today, includes an option …
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Baseball Musings
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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Tribe looks to Wood to strengthen 'pen — Closer signs two-year deal with option after passing physical — CLEVELAND — Wood looked good, and the Indians have their closer. — Kerry Wood passed the physical he took in Cleveland on Thursday, and the Indians announced Saturday …
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Arizona Republic
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Whither Smoltz? Who is Kawakami? — We're back from Sin City, and fairly certain that soon I'm going to have an entire day off. No, seriously. It'll happen. Christmas is right around the corner. — But we know that exasperated, frustrated Braves fans are in no mood to hear complaints.
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MLB Rumors
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Non-Tendered Players — By Tim Dierkes [December 12 at 10:05pm CST] — 2:01am: MLB.com has the official list. — 10:05pm: Here is a list of players who were non-tendered today, and therefore became free agents. — Joey Gathright, John Bale — Jamie Burke — Joe Nelson
Discussion:
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres ace frustrated that trade discussions with Cubs went nowhere — Jake Peavy, believing a three-month process soon would end, was “gushing frustration” after hearing on Thursday that trade terms to send him to the Cubs had fallen apart, Peavy's agent Barry Axelrod said Friday.
Bob Dutton / Associated Press:
Royals non-tender four players before deadline, sign German — Even general manager Dayton Moore acknowledged the Royals had to trim a payroll that projected to more than $75 million. — “We're going to have to move some guys,” he said. “We've got to look at it.”
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs focus squarely on Bradley with Ibanez out — LAS VEGAS — With outfielder Raul Ibanez off the free-agent market, will the Cubs and Milton Bradley be the next to reach agreement? — The Cubs had Ibanez on their short list of desired free agents to fill their left-handed-hitting need until …
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Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Oswalt offer won't trigger big spending — Hurler told team he'd restructure contract to free up payroll — HOUSTON — Soon after Astros owner Drayton McLane hosted a small holiday dinner for his top executives and their spouses Friday night, he indicated to MLB.com that Roy Oswalt's offer …
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Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
K-Rod: Mets ‘going to be team to beat’ — Buzz up! — NEW YORK (AP)—Francisco Rodriguez has a message for the Philadelphia Phillies and the rest of the NL East. — “Of course, we're going to try to win the division. Of course, we're going to be the front-runner.
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The700Level.com
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
3 pitchers claimed in the Rule 5 draft — Ex-Angel Gonzalez put on 40-man roster — LAS VEGAS - In four days of talking and dealing at the winter meetings, the Red Sox had just one move to announce: the selection of three righthanded pitchers in the Rule 5 draft yesterday.
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Deadspin