Top News:
Dennis O'Donnell / KPIX-TV:
Giants Offer Slugger Manny Ramirez 4-Year Deal — The San Francisco Giants are pursuing free-agent slugger Manny Ramirez and have offered him a four-year deal, a well-connected source told CBS 5. — Financial terms of the contract offer were not immediately known.
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Altering Jones deal could lead to Manny — Dodgers discuss reworking contract of unhappy-in-LA outfielder — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers are in discussions to rework the contract of beleaguered outfielder Andruw Jones, with the goal of moving him off the roster while freeing up salary …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Drew Silva / MLB Rumors:
Dodgers Trying To Unload Andruw Jones — By Drew Silva [January 1 at 9:55pm CST] — 9:55pm: As pointed out in the comments section below, Andruw's '09 salary could be deferred across several years and would thus gain interest, resulting in a higher total payout. That could work for both sides.
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Fans, critics applaud Network launch — MLB Network was launched on Thursday night and the reaction to the first two shows was fast and furious. Fans liked the first 60-minute edition of “Hot Stove” and they loved the digitized kinescope of Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5 …
Discussion:
The Griddle
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MLB.com:
Vasgersian has challenges at Network — Host of MLB Tonight can infuse program with signature style — What strikes you about Matt Vasgersian on the air is that he is irreverent without dipping into cynicism, intelligent without being showy, witty without being contrived. He is, in other words, likable.
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Liveblogging MLB Network launch — It's 2009 at last, and that means the MLB Network goes live in an estimated 50 million homes. It's the largest launch in cable network history, and we are liveblogging this New Year's Day all the way. — 5:22 p.m.: Jimmy Rollins is in the house.
Barry Jackson / MiamiHerald.com:
Florida Marlins likely to sign Scott Proctor — The Marlins are expected to sign former Dodgers right-hander Scott Proctor to bolster a bullpen that has lost several veterans. — Proctor agreed to a one-year contract for $750,000, with another $250,000 in incentives, according to an industry source.
Discussion:
MVN, Zell's Pinstripe Blog, MLB Rumors, Scott Proctor's Arm, Bottom9 Baseball and River Avenue Blues
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins may have found replacement for reliever Nelson — The Marlins believe they have a found a replacement for reliever Joe Nelson with right-hander Scott Proctor. — According to a baseball source, the Marlins have agreed to a one-year deal with Proctor pending a physical.
Discussion:
iYankees
John Sickels / Minor League Ball:
Pittsburgh Pirates Top 20 Prospects for 2009 — Age relative to league isn't everything. . . Pittsburgh Pirates Top 20 Prospects for 2009 — All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. Don't get too worried about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get out of the top 10.
Discussion:
whygavs.com
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Friars seek overall improvement in '09 — Black calls for club to step up in every area this season — SAN DIEGO — Bud Black, set to begin his third season as manager of the Padres in 2009, recently said there's no one specific area his team needs to be better at if it's to climb back to the top of the National League West.
KLSnow / Brew Crew Ball:
On Jeff Suppan and his value for 2009 — There's been some conversation in the comment section from Monday's Mug about the value of Jeff Suppan and how/if he should be utilized. At present, he's pretty much penciled in for a rotation spot in 2009, and likely will be even if the Brewers sign another starter …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Lori Lyons / New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Edwin Rodriguez makes jump from Single-A to Triple-A — While celebrating the new year with a new affiliation with the Florida Marlins, the Zephyrs announced Wednesday that they have a new manager in Edwin Rodriguez. — A former infielder who spent parts of three seasons with the Yankees and Padres …
Yahoo! Sports:
Rangers sign RHP Turnbow to minor league deal — Buzz up! — ARLINGTON, TEXAS (TICKER) —The Texas Rangers on Thursday signed pitchers Derrick Turnbow, Casey Daigle and Elizardo Ramirez to minor league contracts. — Turnbow, who will turn 31 on January 25, has spent the last four seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers.
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