Top News:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Baldelli close to signing with Red Sox; Smoltz not far behind — Rocco Baldelli is scheduled to be at Thursday night's Boston Baseball Writers dinner at the Westin Waterfront Hotel to accept the Tony Conigliaro Award. Will Baldelli have some good news as to his whereabouts for next season?
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Peter Gammons / ESPN:
Red Sox believe Baldelli can contribute — The Boston Red Sox were close to signing free-agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli on Wednesday night. It is expected to be announced at the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner, where Baldelli will be honored. — Baldelli, 27, has been limited to 155 games …
Discussion:
whygavs.com, DRaysBay, MLB FanHouse, Boston Globe, The Bottom Line, Red Sox Monster, SOX & Dawgs, Projo Sox Blog, Over the Monster, Rays Index and 3:10 to Joba
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sources: Smoltz on verge of deal with Red Sox — John Smoltz has pitched his entire major league career with the Atlanta Braves, but he is on the verge of a deal with the Boston Red Sox, according to sources. — Smoltz — Smoltz, 41, has pitched in 708 games for the Braves, winning 210 games and earning 154 saves.
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Smoltz will sign with Red Sox — Deal could be completed as early as Thursday afternoon — ATLANTA — John Smoltz's days with the Braves appear to be complete. The veteran hurler could sign with the Red Sox as early as Thursday afternoon. — A Major League source who was in contact …
Discussion:
Chop-n-Change
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Reports: Smoltz set to sign with Red Sox — Say it ain't so, Smoltzy. — John Smoltz's career with the Braves is apparently over. The iconic Atlanta pitcher, who's recovering from June shoulder surgery, has reportedly agreed to a contract to pitch for the Boston Red Sox and will inform the Braves of his decision Thursday.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Baldelli will join ‘hometown’ Red Sox — Rhode Island-born outfielder close to deal with Boston — BOSTON — All along, Rocco Baldelli had planned to be at the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner on Thursday night, where he will be honored as the winner of the Tony Conigliaro Award.
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Smoltz to leave Atlanta for Boston — Deal could be completed as early as Thursday afternoon — ATLANTA — John Smoltz's days with the Braves appear to be over. Multiple sources have confirmed that the veteran hurler will officially sign with the Red Sox within the next two days.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:Pirates still on Baldelli's trail
Discussion:
Raise the Jolly Roger, Main Board, whygavs.com, MLB Rumors, MetsBlog.com, Bucs Trade Winds and The Bottom Line
Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Gammons's take — ESPN baseball guru Peter Gammons, while promoting his upcoming “Hot Stove, Cool Music” event, spoke at length this afternoon on sports radio station WEEI about the future of Jason Varitek, Mark Teixeira's icy past relationship with Alex Rodriguez, and numerous other topics.
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Giambi rejoins Oakland, gets $5.25 million deal — Buzz up! — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Tanned, toned and casually dressed fresh off his Mexican getaway, Jason Giambi sat down with Oakland general manager Billy Beane to his right and manager Bob Geren to his left and didn't waste a second before speaking.
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Cam Inman / Contra Costa Times:
Candid Cam: Giambi's return to A's is a hit, so far — A'S GENERAL MANAGER Billy Beane gushed. Jason Giambi blushed. And I felt like whispering hush, that Beane's re-introduction of Giambi to the Bay Area media Wednesday was sounding too much like a best-man speech.
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Mets hold discussions with Boras — Source says sides discussed ‘all of’ agent's available clients — NEW YORK — The circumstances that brought Scott Boras to New York City this week were certainly beneficial for the Yankees. And by week's end, they proved informational — if not entirely beneficial — for the Mets, as well.
RELATED:
Joel Sherman / Hardball:3 UP: MANNY, LOWE, TEIXEIRA
Discussion:
Newsday, New York Post, MetsBlog.com, NorthJersey.com, New York Times and 24 Hours From Suicide
Associated Press:
Hoffman, Brewers close in on deal — Career saves leader Trevor Hoffman is closing in on a deal with the Brewers. — A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press the sides are near an agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract hadn't been completed Wednesday night.
Derek Jacques / Unfiltered:
Euphemistically Speaking, the MLB Network — Since its launch last Thursday, I've been catching the MLB Network's Hot Stove studio show whenever I can. Although the show follows the template used by ESPN's Baseball Tonight pretty closely, the roster of talent they've assembled is promising.
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Feliciano to join Puerto Rico in Classic — Mets lefty reliever posted a spotless ERA in 2006 tournament — NEW YORK — The common and inescapable sentiment around Puerto Rico these days is that compared to last time, the island's World Baseball Classic team will be better. Much better.
Fred Mitchell / Chicago Tribune:
‘Moving parts’ cloud Peavy deal — New owners could call shots on Jake Peavy trade — Recent Cubs trades may have positioned the team for another run at San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy. But acquiring the 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner may hinge on new ownership for both franchises.
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
O's, Roberts no closer on extension — Source: O's have made offer, but sides significantly apart on years, money — As spring training approaches, the Orioles and Brian Roberts have moved no closer to a contract extension, but the second baseman's agent believes there is still a chance.
