Top News:
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers, Furcal agree on 3-year deal — Physical all that stands in way of shortstop staying in Los Angeles — LOS ANGELES — The winding road of free agency has led shortstop Rafael Furcal right back to the Dodgers. — A baseball official confirmed Wednesday that Furcal has reached agreement …
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Furcal says no to Braves, returns to Dodgers — Braves GM Wren: ‘I think you have to be upset with the turn of events’ — The Braves' winter of discontent continued Wednesday, when shortstop Rafael Furcal reached a contract agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers — two days after the Braves said they had an agreement with Furcal.
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse
ESPN:
Sources: Furcal re-signs with Dodgers for $30M — LOS ANGELES — Rafael Furcal is staying with the Los Angeles Dodgers, reaching a preliminary agreement Wednesday on a three-year contract. — Sources tell ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney that the deal is for $30 million …
Kobrien / On the Yankees beat:
Cameron-Cabrera talks off — It sounds as though the Yankees will not be getting Mike Cameron to play centerfield next year. That could change, of course, but I just got off the phone with Brewers GM Doug Melvin. He said: “Nothing new. At this point, I don't anticipate it's something that we would (do). ...
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Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Source: No offers from Yanks to Manny, Teixeira — Speculation to the contrary, the Yankees are not “all in” on Manny Ramirez or Mark Teixeira. — The Yankees have not ruled out adding Ramirez or Teixeira, but they have yet to make an offer to either slugger.
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
No Cameron may open door for Manny — Tired of waiting for the Yankees to make a move, the Brewers killed the proposed deal for Mike Cameron Wednesday, leaving a gaping hole in center field in the Bronx. — Could that hole be filled indirectly by Manny Ramirez? Only time will tell.
Discussion:
The Yankee Scrolls
Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Sox owner says economic woes could affect offers — BOSTON—As the Boston Red Sox pursue Mark Teixeira, their owner said Wednesday the amount they're willing to spend on free agents depends on the nation's economic problems and the player involved. — With as many as five teams showing interest …
RELATED:
Sean McAdam / Boston Herald:Mark Teixeira's not a 10 — Sox' attraction limited in years
Discussion:
The Schmuck Stops Here, LA Times Sports Blog, MLB.com, Angels blog, MASN Online and NY Daily News
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Former Astro Smith dies of heart attack — Two-time All-Star reliever was on three Houston playoff teams — HOUSTON — Dave Smith, an Astros reliever from 1980-90 and a member of all three Houston playoff teams in the 1980s, died Wednesday of a heart attack. He was 53.
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Jenks reacts to trade rumors, critics — Dip in velocity by design, not injury says White Sox closer — CHICAGO — Firing the baseball at 100 mph past opposing hitters' feeble attempts to make contact once stood as a trademark of Bobby Jenks' pitching repertoire upon arriving in the Majors.
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Jenks not sweating contract situation — Sox closer would prefer ‘fair’ long-term deal over arbitration — CHICAGO — Bobby Jenks intentionally leaves contract negotiations to his agent and the White Sox, bringing himself into the equation on a need-to-know basis.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Mets Are ‘Not for Sale, Not a Piece of It’ — After the Mets introduced Francisco Rodríguez as their $37 million closer Wednesday, team executives posed for pictures with him. Jeff Wilpon, the chief operating officer, smiled for the cameras. He has not done much of that lately.
Discussion:
Brooklyn Met Fan
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Ed Price / New Jersey Online:
Sabathia visits new Yankee Stadium — The Yankees have passed along these photos of new pitcher CC Sabathia touring the new Yankee Stadium.
Discussion:
Scott Proctor's Arm
Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Maine to Phils: Shut up already! — In addition to the Jerry Manuel Q&A below, I've got some news and notes from the Francisco Rodriguez introductory news conference this morning in Long Island City that was notable in part for what John Maine (pictured) had to say about the hated Phillies.
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse
RELATED:
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Reliever Nelson has several suitors — Agent says he's fielded inquiries from 19 teams for setup man — MIAMI — On the open market, Joe Nelson is attracting plenty of attention. — Non-tendered by the Marlins last Friday, Nelson's agent, Doug Schaer, has fielded inquiries from 19 teams.
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Pirates on lookout for bullpen help — Bootcheck, King among Pittsburgh's targets this offseason — PITTSBURGH — They won't be the highest profile of names, but there are a number of relievers that Pirates general manager Neal Huntington continues to pursue as he looks to add to his bullpen options for 2009.
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Curt Schilling Archive:
Why Boston Might Be Best — I often hear media members and sports ‘experts’ this time of year discussing the ‘details’ on free agents. Everything from ‘close friend says’ to ‘his choice is to live in’ and I wonder just how much you believe, and what you think they really know.
Discussion:
Angels blog
