Top News:
Roch Kubatko / MASN Online:
The Nationals may have taken the lead! — According to multiple sources, the Washington Nationals have sweetened their proposal to first baseman Mark Teixeira, offering him an eight-year deal worth $178 to $184 million. — The Nats were believed to have an eight-year, $160 million offer on the table.
Discussion:
Nationals Journal, MVN, We've Got Heart, Red Sox Monster, River Avenue Blues, It is about the money, stupid, Oriole Post and Newsday
RELATED:
Mike / Sons Of Simmons:
Sources: Red Sox Agree In Principle On Deal With Mark Teixeira — Sources have confirmed to Sons of Simmons, that the Boston Red Sox have agreed in principle to an eight-year deal with first basemen Mark Teixeira. Details are still sketchy at the moment, but it looks to be for around $170 Million dollars …
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Nats may have upped Teixeira offer — Opt-out clause a possibility for bid approaching 10 years — As the Angels went into the bunker on Monday to begin exploring Plans B through Z and the Red Sox, Orioles and Yankees made no known major waves on the Mark Teixeira beachhead …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Jeter thinks Manny would fit with Yanks — Team captain impressed by signings of two top pitchers — NEW YORK — Derek Jeter can't claim to have a close personal relationship with Manny Ramirez, but if the Washington Heights, N.Y., product winds up back in New York, the Yankees captain believes he will fit in.
RELATED:
Kobrien / On the Yankees beat:
Yankees not on verge of signing Manny Ramirez — If any of you saw the ImpactoDeportivo.com report that the Yankees are on the verge of signing Manny Ramirez to a three-year, $75-million contract, don't get excited (either good or bad). It's not true. Hal Steinbrenner told me this afternoon, “If we are, I don't know about it.”
Discussion:
iYankees, Zell's Pinstripe Blog, MLB FanHouse, MY BASEBALL BIAS, Sliding Into Home, Bombers Beat and YanksBlog.com
Ed Price / New Jersey Online:
Jeter: Yankees don't need Manny Ramirez — NEW YORK — Derek Jeter doesn't think Manny Ramirez would be a problem in the Yankees clubhouse. But the Yankees captain doesn't seem to feel the Yankees need him. — “We have a pretty good lineup,” Jeter said. “I think we've scored plenty of runs.”
Discussion:
iYankees
MLB.com:
Yankees sign Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year contract — The New York Yankees announced today that they have signed right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year contract for $5 million, avoiding arbitration. — Wang, 28, was 8-2 with a 4.07 ERA in 15 starts for the Yankees in 2008 …
RELATED:
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
APNewsBreak: Yanks have $26.9 million luxury tax — Buzz up! — NEW YORK (AP)—The New York Yankees not only failed to make the playoffs, they were hit with their highest luxury tax in three years. — The Yankees were assessed a $26.9 million tax by the commissioner's office on Monday …
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Dayn Perry / Fox Sports:
Yankees haven't overtaken BoSox, Rays — Dayn Perry is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com and author of the blog Spolitical, which explores the relationship between sports and politics. He's presently at work on his second book, a biography of Reggie Jackson. — It hasn't been enough.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates pursue recovering Baldelli — Free-agent outfielder, once a star, has had medical issues — , Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates are in pursuit of outfielder Rocco Baldelli, one of the most intriguing — and risky — players available in Major League Baseball's free agency.
Associated Press:
Report: McNamee sues Clemens for defamation — CBSSports.com wire reports — NEW YORK — Roger Clemens' former personal trainer has filed a defamation lawsuit against the seven-time Cy Young award winner, the New York Post reported Tuesday. — Brian McNamee, who told federal investigators …
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
On Old Cassette, Barber's Voice Brings to Life Game He Missed — No one broadcast Johnny Vander Meer's second consecutive no-hitter in June 1938, but that did not deter fans from telling Red Barber years later how much they enjoyed his call. — Barber should have called it, at least for symmetry's sake.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Who is on Brewers' radar? — Beat reporter Adam McCalvy answers fans' burning questions — It looks like the free-agent pool is thinning out when it comes to players that the Brewers are looking for. With the need for another left-handed bat, as well as pitching in general …
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
WBC apathy is an American affliction — Buzz up! — For nearly an hour during their news conference two weeks ago to promote the World Baseball Classic, the tournament's organizers blathered on about rule changes and mandatory reporting dates and scheduling specifics.
RELATED:
Joel Sherman / Hardball:WRIGHT TO BE STARTING WBC THIRD BASEMAN
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
La Velle / Twins Insider:
No slugger or bullpen arm under the Twins' X-Mas tree this week — All indications are that this will be a slow week in Twinsland, as the club doesn't appear to be close to any moves before Christmas. — They remain one of several teams interested in righthander Brandon Lyon.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
