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 …
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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.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Would Jones be worth a look? — The Dodgers have cut a financial deal with Andruw Jones that will lead to him getting traded or released. — The Yankees could use a center fielder. Jones is a five-time All-Star center fielder. So naturally many people have e-mailed wondering if the Yankees are interested.
Discussion:
MY BASEBALL BIAS
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
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 …
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
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.
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
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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 …
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Yanks almost ready to unveil Teixeira — The Yankees are making plans for a press conference to fete new first baseman Mark Teixeira, perhaps as early as Tuesday, according to baseball sources. — Teixeira agreed to an eight-year, $180 million contract two days before Christmas.
Discussion:
My Pinstripes
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
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 …
