Top News:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
General feeling is Sox — They're perceived leaders on Teixeira — One of the general managers involved in the Mark Teixeira negotiations was asked last night, “Are you still in it?” He answered, “I honestly don't know.” — Evidently, Teixeira's final landing spot has become a mystery to some of the people involved.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Boston Herald, Angels blog, YFSF, iYankees, River Avenue Blues and Over the Monster
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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.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Melvin: Cameron-Yanks deal is ‘dead’ — Brewers GM uncertain if he'd be interested if talks were to resume — MILWAUKEE — As Brewers general manager Doug Melvin sees it, his trade talks with the Yankees are “dead.” — “It's probably not going to happen,” Melvin said.
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George A. King III / New York Post:
LITTLE MANNY CHATTER — The possibility that Manny Ramirez becomes a Yankee isn't out of the question. But in order for it to happen, a whole lot of talking has to go on between the club and agent Scott Boras. — “It's not impossible, but there haven't been a lot of discussions,” a source said.
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse, NJ.com, Bats, MY BASEBALL BIAS, New Jersey Online, Angels blog and Yankees Blog
Sabernomics:
On Frank Wren — With the collapse of the Furcal-to-Atlanta deal, Frank Wren has been getting a lot of criticism. I'm not sure it's warranted, but I think now is a good time to pass along a few thoughts related to the Braves GM. — I heard Frank Wren on the the radio this morning …
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers, Furcal agree on 3-year deal
Dodgers, Furcal agree on 3-year deal
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, The Knobler Blog, Dodger Thoughts, Inside the Dodgers, New York Post and True Blue LA
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Furcal says no to Braves, returns to Dodgers
Furcal says no to Braves, returns to Dodgers
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse
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.
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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Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:
K-ROD, PUTZ WILL BOTH GET CHANCES — Jerry Manuel is putting the egos of his two new All-Star relievers to the test next season. — The Mets manager revealed yesterday that Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz will share the closing duties next season, a plan that could cause fireworks because of the personalities involved.
Jon Paul Morosi / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' signing of catcher Matt Treanor should be announced soon — The Tigers are expected to announce in the coming days that they have agreed to a one-year contract with backup catcher Matt Treanor. — One person with knowledge of the negotiations said Tuesday night that the sides …
William C. Rhoden / New York Times:
Sabathia Offers Yanks What Money Can't Buy — In a bizarre spectacle of arrogance and denial, the Mets and the Yankees are hosting back-to-back introductions for their multimillion-dollar pitchers this week. — Even as the nation continues to reel from the effect of economic body blows …
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sabathia says Yanks give him best shot at title … Ten minutes after New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman left the home of CC Sabathia last week, Sabathia phoned Cashman. — “I'm all-in,” he said. — With those words, Sabathia committed to a seven-year, $161 million deal with the Yankees.
Discussion:
iYankees
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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Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Doumit deal nearly done, McLouth's nearly ‘dead’ — Pirates' multiyear contract offers take widely divergent paths — The Pirates are on the verge of signing catcher Ryan Doumit to a multiyear extension, and it could happen within the week, according to a source directly involved in the negotiations.
Jon Paul Morosi / Detroit Free Press:
Agent says Tigers have called about reliever Derrick Turnbow — The agent for reliever Derrick Turnbow said interest in his client has increased since last week's winter meetings. And the Tigers have had something to do with that. — Damon Lapa said Wednesday that a Tigers official called …