Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Sources: Tribe interested in Pavano — The Cleveland Indians have emerged as a strong candidate to sign free-agent pitcher Carl Pavano, several baseball sources told ESPN.com. — Pavano, 32, is looking to rehabilitate his career after suffering numerous injuries in four seasons with the Yankees.
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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Indians, Pavano reach one-year deal — Injury-plagued right-hander looking to re-establish career — CLEVELAND — In New York, he was viewed as oft-injured and overpaid. — In Cleveland, he'll be viewed as a low-cost starting option with major upside.
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
YANKS SET TO LOWER OFFER TO PETTITTE — Andy Pettitte's chances to return to the Yankees have dropped precipitously because in the aftermath of the Mark Teixeira signing the organization is now strongly inclined to lower the $10 million offer that the lefty already has been resistant to all offseason, the Post has learned.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Yankees Blog, MY BASEBALL BIAS, Sliding Into Home, iYankees, MLB Rumors and New York Times
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Duncan designated; Coke to start — Two other things from today (via Sam Borden): — The 40-man roster move was Shelley Duncan being designated for assignment. ... Brian Cashman said Phil Coke has been told to prepare to come to camp to work as a starter. — No surprise with the first move.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yankees sign Jason Johnson — Some more news from the Bronx via Sam Borden: — The Yankees have signed RHP Jason Johnson to a minor-league deal. Joe Girardi said Johnson would compete to be the fifth starter.
Discussion:
The Yankee Scrolls, In Mo We Trust, The Yankees, River Avenue Blues, MY BASEBALL BIAS and iYankees
Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Teixeira: ‘In the back of my mind, the Yankees were always the top’ — The Yankees officially introduced first baseman Mark Teixeira at a press conference at the old Yankee Stadium this afternoon. Here are few notable comments from the 28-year-old slugger, who agreed to an eight-year …
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
GIAMBI AGREES TO ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH ATHLETICS — RETURNS TO OAKLAND AFTER FAILED STINT IN THE BRONX — On the day the Yankees are introducing Mark Teixeira as their new first baseman, the man he is replacing has found a new home. — Jason Giambi has agreed to one-year deal with Athletics worth $4.5 million.
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ESPN.com:
Sources: A's, Giambi on verge of one-year deal — The Oakland Athletics and free agent DH Jason Giambi are on the verge of agreeing on a one-year deal with an option for 2010, Sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. — The deal would pay Giambi, who started his major league career in Oakland …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs finalize Marquis-Vizcaino swap — Veteran sent to Colorado in move which creates salary flexibility — CHICAGO — The Cubs continued their offseason restructuring on Tuesday, sending pitcher Jason Marquis to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for reliever Luis Vizcaino.
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Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Sources: O's, Uehara agree on multi-year deal — Likely slated for starting rotation, RHP would break ground as first Japan native to play for O's — The Orioles appear to have filled one vacant spot in their wide-open rotation while at the same time officially opening the door to the Far East.
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Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
Old guard squeezed in new market … The baseball actuarial tables have been rewritten. As clubs continue to place greater value on young players under control (witness the new religion about not losing compensatory draft picks), the older free agent is being severely devalued.
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
YANKS SIGN JOHN RODRIGUEZ — Outfielder John Rodriguez, a native New Yorker who played two seasons with the Cardinals, was signed to a minor league contract by the Yankees, the Post has learned. — Rodriguez was originally signed by the Yankees in November 1996 and played in their minor league system through the 2004 season.
Discussion:
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre …, River Avenue Blues, The Yankees, MY BASEBALL BIAS, iYankees and Scott Proctor's Arm
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Marcus Giles signs with Phillies — Marcus Giles, a popular figure in the Rockies' clubhouse last spring, has regained the fire to play again. The second baseman has signed a $600,000 minor-league deal with the world champion Phillies. Philadelphia has been seeking protection …
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Padres prepared to find shortstop — GM Towers says he has interest in veterans Eckstein, Vizquel — SAN DIEGO — The Padres plan on solidifying their middle infield picture sometime next week, general manager Kevin Towers said on Tuesday. — “By next week, we would like to get that done,” Towers said.
Geoff Baker / Mariners Blog:
2009 starts...slowly — Glad to be back and am ready to start a brand new year of covering the Mariners. Many thanks to all of you who wrote in and emailed me privately about my knee surgery. I'm happy to report that things are progressing well. — On to the Mariners …
