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.
RELATED:
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.
Discussion:
Ken Davidoff's baseball …, Baltimore Sun, MLB FanHouse, MLB Rumors, WEEI Blogs, Scott Proctor's Arm and Boston Herald
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Red Sox still look like front-runners to win the Teixeira Sweepstakes
Red Sox still look like front-runners to win the Teixeira Sweepstakes
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.
RELATED:
George A. King III / New York Post:
LITTLE MANNY CHATTER
LITTLE MANNY CHATTER
Discussion:
JSOnline, NJ.com, MY BASEBALL BIAS, Bats, MLB FanHouse, New Jersey Online, Angels blog and Yankees Blog
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
A Look At The 2010 Free Agent Class — By Tim Dierkes [December 18 at 1:19pm CST] — Since it's more of a reference, I didn't allow comments on our 2010 MLB Free Agents post. This post will be the place for readers to comment on these players, who we'll be talking about constantly a year from now …
RELATED:
JSOnline:
Brewers sign Nixon, Duffy — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — Looking for ways to get some left-handed bats on their roster, the Brewers have decided to take a look at former Boston standout Trot Nixon. — The Brewers just announced that they have signed the 34-year-old outfielder …
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Boone signs one-year deal with Astros — Veteran infielder likely to platoon with Blum at third base — HOUSTON — The Astros on Thursday signed third baseman Aaron Boone to a one-year contract, pending a physical. — Boone fills the Astros' need for a utility infielder who has extensive experience at third.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Red Sox look like front-runners for Teixeira (cont.) — Furcal's unusual double play — The Braves thought they had a “gentleman's agreement” on a deal for Rafael Furcal for $30 million and three years and are said to be “frustrated” that he went to the Dodgers for the same terms after they say his agent agreed with them.
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.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, Mets Blog, NorthJersey.com, Newsday, Walkoff Walk, Mets Merized Online, New York Times and MetsBlog.com
NY Daily News:
Rocket's lawsuit takes a hit — Authorities told trainer Brian McNamee that he could become the target of a criminal probe if he refused to cooperate with former Sen. George Mitchell's steroid investigation, according to an affidavit filed in federal court in Houston Thursday by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Parrella.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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.
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.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Crasnick: Job market for Abreu — Bobby Abreu's overall stats suggest he's a “star,” but he's often viewed as a complementary-type player. And thus, landing a job at his desired salary this offseason could prove to be difficult. Jerry Crasnick — • Watch: Buster Olney talks about the latest Hot Stove developments
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.
RELATED:
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 …
Discussion:
Fox Sports, Associated Press, Bless You Boys, Roar of the Tigers, MLive.com and FishStripes
Joe Sheehan / Sports Illustrated:
Unconventional wisdom: How to improve Hall of Fame voting … Just 23 names dot the 2008 Hall of Fame ballot, the smallest number in history. That's mostly a fluke owing to the vagaries of when careers begin and end, which players come back for an extra season or an extra few weeks, and which don't.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rox remain in mix for Redding — Even after the trade hit a dead end, the Rockies' aggressive pursuit of right-hander Tim Redding has not stopped. — Agent Tom O'Connell confirmed today that the Rockies have significant interest in Redding, saying “they are definitely in the mix to get him.”
Discussion:
MLB Rumors