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
Associated Press:
Dave Smith remembered for generosity — SAN DIEGO — Dave Smith, a former All-Star closer who holds the Houston Astros record for games pitched, died Wednesday. He was 53. — Former big leaguer Tim Flannery said Smith apparently died of a heart attack, but the official cause of death wasn't known.
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Baseball Musings
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Towers is assessing potential options to shore up team's middle infield — Veteran middle infielders Omar Vizquel, David Eckstein and Mark Grudzielanek are on the Padres' radar to varying degrees, General Manager Kevin Towers said Wednesday, but it's still early.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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.
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.
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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.
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). ...
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, iYankees, Baseball & The Boogie Down, The Yankees and Scott Proctor's Arm
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Red Sox, Youkilis talk deal — The Red Sox and infielder Kevin Youkilis have taken initial steps toward a possible long-term contract extension, said Joe Bick, the agent who represents Youkilis. — “We've had some what I would term early-stage conversations,” Bick said. “That's really where it is.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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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 …
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, MLB FanHouse, Angels blog and MASN Online
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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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
Nick Willhite / Los Angeles Times:
Nick Willhite dies at 67; former pitcher for the Dodgers and Angels — Pitcher for Dodgers — Nick Willhite, 67, a left-handed pitcher whose five-year baseball career was highlighted by the shutout he threw in his debut with the Dodgers in 1963, died of cancer Sunday at a son's home in Alpine, Utah.
Discussion:
24 Hours From Suicide
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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