Top News:
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:
Boston Globe, MLB FanHouse, DRaysBay, The Bottom Line, SOX & Dawgs, Projo Sox Blog, Rays Index and Over the Monster
RELATED:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Baldelli close to signing with Red Sox; Smoltz not far behind — Rocco Baldelli is scheduled to be in attendance at tonight's Boston Baseball Writers Dinner at the Westin Waterfront in Boston to accept the Tony Conigliaro Award. Will Baldelli have some good news as to his whereabouts for next season?
Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Pirates still on Baldelli's trail — The Pirates remain active in a narrowing field of teams pursuing free-agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli. — There had been five or six suitors for Baldelli as of late last month, but two appear to have been removed this week: The Tampa Bay Rays signed …
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.
RELATED:
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Starting Pitcher: Mets, Boras and Derek Lowe — Anthony DiComo of MLB.com says Minaya talked with Boras about Lowe, as well as Ramirez and Perez. — I was under the impression Ramirez and Perez were not discussed. I'm glad I was wrong about this. — However, unfortunately …
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.
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.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Giambi completes one-year deal to return to A's … OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Jason Giambi is returning to his professional baseball roots with the Oakland Athletics. — Giambi and the A's finalized a one-year contract with an option Wednesday, bringing the free-agent designated hitter …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Pitcher Patterson retiring from baseball — Former Nationals righty unable to overcome pain in right forearm — WASHINGTON — Right-hander John Patterson, best known for his years with the Nationals, announced on Wednesday that he is retiring from baseball because of persistent pain in his right forearm.
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.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
RELATED:
Aaron Fitt / Baseball America:
Washington Nationals — Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched …
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds invite 11 to big league camp — Outfielder Nix, reliever Fultz among those with Majors experience — CINCINNATI — The Reds revealed on Wednesday that 11 players have been invited to Major League Spring Training as non-roster players. — There are four pitchers, two catchers …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves keeping tabs on Kawakami — Japanese righty has recently narrowed his list of potential teams — ATLANTA — As Kenshin Kawakami gets closer to choosing a Major League employer, the Braves still appear to be appealing to the Japanese right-hander. — According to a source familiar …
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.
Eric Simon / Amazin' Avenue:
Citi Field: Where Homeruns Go To Die — Citi Field opens for real in three months, but I feel like we still know very little about it aside from its aesthetics. Dimensionally, we know it'll sport a similar configuration to Shea Stadium, with some variably higher walls and the odd geometric nuance to break from straight symmetry.
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
First-rounder Castro gets spring invite — Prospect was 10th overall pick in '08, three others to join him — HOUSTON — Jason Castro has earned high marks practically from the day the Astros drafted him as their No. 1 pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, and in less than six weeks …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Rockies still pursuing depth, have interest in Fogg — The acquisition of Jason Marquis doesn't change the Rockies' desire for more pitching depth, but it doesn't leave much room in the budget or on the depth chart to land free agents Tim Redding and Josh Fogg.
Andrew Vazzano / The 'Ropolitans:
If the Yankees are buying a championship, at least it's a good looking one — Give me a minute or two to be completely and utterly ridiculous (and talk about the Yankees)... The New York Yankees have just plunked down nearly half a billion dollars for the service of three men.
