Top News:
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Rox agree to ship Vizcaino to Cubs for Marquis — The Rockies are going to swap a relief bust for rotation depth. — The Rockies and Cubs have agreed in principle on a deal that would send Luis Vizcaino to Chicago for starter Jason Marquis, according to multiple baseball sources.
RELATED:
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Marquis For Vizcaino Trade Close — By Tim Dierkes [December 30 at 7:30pm CST] — 7:28pm: Ken Rosenthal confirms what most people are saying—that this deal is close, but not yet official. — 7:11pm: Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald calls the deal “possible, but not done yet.”
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs close to Marquis-Vizcaino deal; Bradley next? — The Cubs are close to trading Jason Marquis and most of his $9.875 million contract to the Colorado Rockies for embattled reliever Luis Vizcaino, baseball sources confirmed Tuesday night. — The deal, which could be announced next week …
Bruce / Chicago's Inside Pitch:
Marquis deal possible; Bradley inching along? — Coming off a little Christmast-New Year's vacation to get caught up on one rumor and its possible aftermath: — The Cubs would love nothing better than to trade right-handed pitcher Jason Marquis and most (if not all) of his $9.875 contract for 2009.
Discussion:
Hire Jim Essian
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Mets Offer Lowe a 3-Year Deal — The Mets have offered the free-agent pitcher Derek Lowe a three-year contract for about $36 million, according to people who have been briefed on the discussions. — As the Mets try to add another starter, they have concentrated on Lowe, 35, as their No. 1 option over Oliver Pérez.
Sportsnet.ca:
Jays invite 3 more to Spring camp — The Toronto Blue Jays have signed Michael Barrett, Raul Chavez, Randy Ruiz and pitcher Mike Maroth to minor league contracts and extended invitations for all to attend spring training with the Major League club. — Barrett, 32, has signed …
RELATED:
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Jays ink quartet to Minors contracts — Barrett, Chavez, Maroth and Ruiz score Spring Training invites — TORONTO — The Blue Jays continued to add depth to their roster on Tuesday, signing four players to Minor League contracts with invitations to Spring Training.
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Manny Ramirez's agent contacts the Dodgers — Negotiations for slugger appear to be underway again as Scott Boras gets in touch with team after General Manager Ned Colletti says Ramirez remains the club's ‘first choice.’ — The Dodgers' on-again, off-again negotiations with Manny Ramirez appear to be on again.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Peter Schmuck / The Schmuck Stops Here:
Orioles: Sexson an option at 1B? — The Orioles still are trying to figure out what they'll do at first base this coming season, and they've given some consideration to attempting a salvage operation with former 45-homer guy Richie Sexson. Club officials apparently have had at least …
Adam Rubin / Surfing the Mets:
New-look Mets — Yosef Sebrow sends in this look at what appears to be modest tweaks to the black uniforms the Mets wear, which he shot at a Sports Authority in Forest Hills. It's labeled “METH,” presumably for Mets' home. He writes: “The old one was black, orange dropshadow, then white, then blue.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: Snyder agrees to deal … The Arizona Diamondbacks have reached preliminary agreement on a three-year, $14.25 million guaranteed contract extension with catcher Chris Snyder, a baseball source told ESPN.com. — The deal, the completion of which is pending the physical exam …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, Fox Sports, El Guapo's Ghost Rambles …, MLB FanHouse, AZ Snakepit, 6-4-2 and MLB Rumors
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Hot Stove Daily: Texas Rangers — Buzz up! … 2008 record: 79-83 — Finish: Second in American League West — 2008 opening-day payroll: $67.7 million — 2009 estimated opening-day payroll: Between $62 million and $72 million — OFFSEASON ACTION
RELATED:
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
More on Bard — In case you're wondering, a source has confirmed an agreement between the Red Sox and catcher Josh Bard, whom the club eyes as a backup, perhaps to Jason Varitek. The Bard acquisition in no way eliminates the chance of Varitek returning to the club in 2009.
