Top News:
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.
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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:
Pinstripes, Pa., The Yankee Scrolls, The Yankees, MY BASEBALL BIAS, In Mo We Trust, River Avenue Blues and iYankees
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.
Discussion:
MY BASEBALL BIAS, Baseball & The Boogie Down, Sliding Into Home, Scott Proctor's Arm and YanksBlog.com
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 …
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Duncan designated for assignment — Bombers clear room on 40-man roster for first baseman Teixeira — NEW YORK — The Yankees designated first baseman Shelley Duncan for assignment on Tuesday, clearing room on their 40-man roster for Mark Teixeira. — Duncan, 29, played parts of the past …
Discussion:
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre …
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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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.
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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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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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds agree to terms with Hairston — Infielder/outfielder expected to be everyday shortstop in 2009 — CINCINNATI — The Reds have reached an agreement with free-agent infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. on a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $2 million, a baseball source told MLB.com on Tuesday.
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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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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.
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 …
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Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Mets to meet with Boras about Lowe, Perez — NEW YORK (AP) — Still looking to fill out the rotation, the New York Mets are ready to make their push for a proven starting pitcher. — Mets executives set up a face-to-face meeting Wednesday with agent Scott Boras to talk about two of his free-agent clients …
