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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Source sees Yankees' pursuit of Manny Ramirez as front office splits — Are the Yankees preparing to give Manny Ramirez a happy homecoming? — The pride of Washington Heights remains one of the biggest names left on the free-agent market, and while it may take some time before the future Hall …
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Sean McAdam / Boston Herald:
Mark Teixeira's not a 10 — Sox' attraction limited in years — As the bidding intensifies for free agent Mark Teixeira, the Red Sox [team stats] have let it be known they are willing to go only so far. Should another team up the ante and, as has been speculated, offer a 10-year deal …
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
Sources: Orioles fall behind in Teixeira derby … Unless Mark Teixeira is willing to give the Orioles a major hometown discount, it does not appear he will be playing in Baltimore. — The Orioles have stood by their initial offer and have not upgraded it, and sources say that the other teams involved …
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Teixeira decision likely coming soon — Recruiting of free agent reportedly ‘nearing a conclusion’ — The shopping days to Christmas are dwindling. Does that mean the countdown is also on for the offseason's most anticipated deal, the one waiting for Mark Teixeira?
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Going Hard After Manny? — By Tim Dierkes [December 17 at 8:27am CST] — Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News talked to one baseball official (presumably not with the Yankees) who believes the Yankees are “going hard” after Manny Ramirez. That official sees the Yanks willing …
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Al's Ramblings
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
With Furcal out of the picture, A's might turn back to Crosby — (12-16) 20:40 PST — Oakland's pursuit of Rafael Furcal ended Tuesday, but the A's will not automatically readjust their sights on the next available shortstop target. — An A's source said that Oakland does not have interest …
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Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates' options for Wilson trade dwindle — Dodgers, possibly last suitor, show no sign of fresh interest — It is shaping up as if the Pirates might not be able to trade Jack Wilson this offseason. — The Los Angeles Dodgers appeared to lose out on an attempt to re-sign free-agent …
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MLB Rumors
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers are trying to keep Rafael Furcal
Dodgers are trying to keep Rafael Furcal
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Athletics Nation
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
It'll be 2-for-1 as Yanks to greet CC, A.J. — The Yankees shook up the free-agent market last week by committing $243.5million to a pair of pitchers they hope will start a winning tradition at the new Yankee Stadium. — But CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett will get one last look at the old ballpark Thursday …
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Sliding Into Home
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Ken Bell / WLNE-TV:
Family says doctors misdiagnosed Rocco Baldelli's condition — GREAT NEWS FOR ROCCO BALDELLI. A VISIT TO THE CLEVELAND CLINIC LAST WEEK REVEALED THAT DOCTORS HAD MISDIAGNOSED HIS ILLNESS. — BALDELLI MISSED MUCH OF LAST SEASON, AND WHEN HE DID PLAY, HE WAS LIMITED BECAUSE OF EXTREME FATIQUE.
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Mets would like Perez back, discussing Pedro — The Mets have two slots in their starting rotation to fill, and they know what they want to do with the more important one. To replace Oliver Perez, who had become a vital pitcher, they want either Perez himself or Derek Lowe.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Fuentes waits, so Birds mull options — Increasingly impatient over talks that may have slowed to accommodate another suitor, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak vowed Tuesday he would not allow the pursuit of free-agent closer Brian Fuentes to “create a paralysis” within the club's search for pitching help.
Jon Heyman / For the Record:
Cubs, Yankees among several teams eyeing Lowe — The Cubs could become a landing spot for star free-agent pitcher Derek Lowe. — Chicago had been talking seriously to the Padres about trade target Jake Peavy for weeks until pulling out at the winter meetings, and some baseball people think discussions could be revived at some point.
Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com:
Lackey set to pitch for U.S. in Classic — Angels righty excited about representing country in '09 event — ANAHEIM — Angels right-hander John Lackey said Tuesday that he plans on pitching for the United States in the World Baseball Classic in March. — Lackey has already started getting …
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BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Development staff has five fresh faces — Former big leaguers Truby, Whitt to take Minors managing roles — The Phillies signed five newcomers to help out in the player development staff for the 2009 season, assistant general manager Chuck LaMar announced on Tuesday.
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