Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sources: Jones in Dodger-Mets talks … Andruw Jones, coming off a disastrous first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been the subject of trade talks between L.A. and the New York Mets, according to sources. — Jones, who turns 32 next spring, hit .158 with 76 strikeouts in 209 …
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
So long Manny? Dodgers call Dunn, source says … Apparently, the Dodgers aren't going to sit around all winter, waiting for Manny Ramirez to beg to come back. They now have Adam Dunn on their shopping list. — The Dodgers contacted Dunn's agent, Greg Genske, over the holidays …
Discussion:
Major League Baseball, Zell's Pinstripe Blog, MLB FanHouse, Reflections of Blue and Kranepool Society
Test / Hot Stove Blog:
Dunn, Abreu on Dodgers' radar — The Dodgers have started talks with Adam Dunn and will soon open talks with Bobby Abreu as they line up a possible outfield replacement to Manny Ramirez, according to a baseball source. The club had hoped, with a soft free-agent market …
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Dodgers Interested In Dunn, Abreu — By Tim Dierkes [December 29 at 4:28pm CST] — 4:28pm: A very Dodgers-centric day here at MLBTR. MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reports that in addition to Dunn, the Dodgers will soon open up talks with Bobby Abreu. They'd like to move Andruw Jones or Juan Pierre if they sign an outfielder.
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Sources: Cuban WBC pitching star Marti defects … ORLANDO, Fla. — Right-hander Yadel Marti, Cuba's best pitcher in the first World Baseball Classic in 2006, and outfielder Yasser Gomez left the island and are in an unknown location before attempting to reach the Dominican Republic to seek an MLB career, sources told ESPNdeportes.com.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
MLB.com:
Free-agent class thin after '09 season — A's outfielder Holliday is marquee player hitting open market — One of the key factors on the free agent front this offseason has received little attention. — It has to do with the list of players who will be eligible for free agency following the 2009 season.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets keeping starting options open — NEW YORK — The Mets ought to have a better read about their projected starting pitcher rotation by the end of the week. — They intend to make offers early this week to at least two and probably three free-agent pitchers — Derek Lowe …
Discussion:
Mets Blog, Mets Fever, MetsBlog.com, The 'Ropolitans, Mets Merized Online and MLB Rumors
Kobrien / On the Yankees beat:
Buck Showalter on Mark Teixeira — I talked to Buck Showalter this afternoon about Mark Teixeira. Buck managed Mark for his first four seasons, so I reached out to him last week, but with the holidays and all, we didn't connect until today. — Here are a few thoughts from Showalter on Teixeira:
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
ESPN:
Jays add catcher Barrett — Catcher Michael Barrett has agreed to a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney is reporting. — Barrett appeared in 30 games for the San Diego Padres in an injury-marred 2008 season, batting .202 with two home runs and nine RBIs.
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Turnbow out, Redding still on Rockies' radar — The Rockies' desire to add hard-throwing bullpen depth will not include free agent Derrick Turnbow. The right-hander has narrowed his suitors to three teams, with the Rockies not among them, his agent told The Denver Post today.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Petitti shapes vision for MLB Network — President/CEO, a true baseball fan, plays big role in channel's birth — SECAUCUS, N.J. — Friday lunches are free at the MLB Network's second-floor cafeteria — have been for all of December, ever since this final push to launch the cable channel began.
MLB.com:
Verducci joins MLB Network studio team — Sports Illustrated Senior Writer Joins as “Baseball Insider” — SECAUCUS, N.J. — MLB Network today announced that Sports Illustrated Senior Writer Tom Verducci, one of the most respected journalists covering baseball, will join the studio team as a “Baseball Insider.”
