Top News:
New York Post:
PEREZ TO YANKS, LOWE TO METS FINISHING TOUCHES FOR WINTER — THERE remains one final major move for the Yankees to make. Same goes for the Mets. — The Yankees still have a hole in their rotation. This has been an incredibly prosperous offseason for the Yankees and GM Brian Cashman …
Discussion:
NY Daily News, Sliding Into Home, WasWatching.com, River Avenue Blues, Pinstripe Alley, My Pinstripes and New Jersey Online
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Starting Pitcher: Lowe wants $16 million per year — Tonight on the MLB Network's Hot Stove Live, SI.com's Jon Heyman said Derek Lowe rejected Omar Minaya's three- year, $36 million offer, because he is seeking $16 million per season. — According to Heyman, the Phillies and Braves …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
John Perrotto / Baseball Prospectus:
Stoking the Hot Stove Fires — There was no bigger story in baseball last year than the Rays, as the Tampa Bay franchise, which had known nothing but futility since its inception in 1998, dropped the Devil from its nickname, changed its color scheme and its uniform, and then dramatically changed their losing ways.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
The amazing year of Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon still not done — Joe Maddon walks across Pennsylvania Avenue tonight for the latest great adventure in his remarkable year. — Leading the Rays all the way to the World Series, getting married and honeymooning in Europe …
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Ray Ratto / San Francisco Chronicle:
There's much to like about blockbuster deal - and a lot to hate — (01-03) 18:53 PST — The last time we all pitched a nutty about the Giants making a run at a big-name free agent, Brian Sabean pitched a nutty right back, ripping the media for creating a firestorm out of nothing.
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Sean McAdam / Boston Herald:
This a true OFF season — Market crashed for free agents — In any other offseason, the free agent market would be all but picked clean by now, with only a few marked-down players remaining in the bargain bins. — But that was then. This is now. — And now, plenty of big name free agents are still looking for work.
Associated Press:
Lawyer: Indiana girl earns right to try out for baseball team — BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — A freshman girl would be allowed to try out for the Bloomington South baseball team under an agreement reached after her family filed a federal lawsuit over an Indiana High School Athletic Association rule …
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Penny ante — Sox pay for talented arm, hoping to hit jackpot — A year ago, Brad Penny was coming off the best season of his career, one that landed him third place in the Cy Young Award voting, and an Opening Day start for a Dodgers team that would go on to the postseason.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Marquis, arbitration will hike payroll — Arbitration is recession-proof. The Rockies' payroll will increase slightly next season from $68 million to roughly $73 million with the acquisition of Chicago Cubs starter Jason Marquis and the salary increases of their six arbitration-eligible players.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Hot Stove: Pirates, Coonelly support cap — But team president's plan is to win within current system — Add the Pirates to the small — but growing — list of Major League Baseball teams publicly speaking in favor of a salary cap. — Team president Frank Coonelly …
John Perrotto / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Q and A: Tony Blengino by David Laurila — Tony Blengino … David Laurila: How would you describe your role within the Mariners' organization? — Tony Blengino: My role is basically to be Jack's right hand in player evaluation of all types, be it at the major league level …
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
The most improved players — These seven teams made the right moves — Here's the consensus from a half-dozen scouts, general managers, and other officials concerning which lucky seven teams could improve in 2009: — 1. Yankees - Money doesn't buy them a championship, but it's almost always bought them the postseason.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
Sources: Dodgers hope to move cheaper Jones — A month ago, Andruw Jones was considered untradeable within the baseball industry. Now that his contract has been restructured, to make him more affordable to any interested suitors, the Dodgers intend to weigh his market value again, according to baseball sources.
Discussion:
LA Times Sports Blog, 24 Hours From Suicide, Los Angeles Times, The 'Ropolitans, MLB.com, Mets Fever and Hot Stove Blog
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Moorad near deal to buy Padres from Moores — Fifteen years after Texan software mogul John Moores bought the Padres, Moores and his wife Becky have reached “an agreement in principle” to sell the club to a group led by Jeff Moorad, an Orange County resident with wide-ranging experiences in the baseball business.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Bob Baum / Associated Press:Moorad resigns from D'backs; plans to buy Padres
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Bottom9 Baseball
