Top News:
Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Sox agree to terms with Baldelli, Smoltz — The rest of Red Sox roster is taking shape, with the club coming to terms today with a pair of well-known players who have battled injuries and health problems in recent seasons. — Shortly after the Red Sox formally announced they had agreed …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Baseball Musings, SOX & Dawgs, Center Field, Sox and Pinstripes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Boston Herald, The Mighty Quinn Media Machine, ESPN, Over the Monster, DRaysBay, whygavs.com, Bucs Dugout, MLB FanHouse, The Bottom Line, Projo Sox Blog, Bucs Trade Winds and Rays Index
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
‘Frustrated’ Chipper questions Braves' dealings with Smoltz — Third baseman says Smoltz was upset when they spoke on phone Wednesday … Q. How did you take all this? — A. I am disappointed. Very disappointed. Deflated. Frustrated. It's been a very long offseason …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Smoltz, Braves differ on contract offer — Veteran righty to leave Atlanta, accept deal with Boston — ATLANTA — Some members of the Braves' organization believe their offer to John Smoltz was comparable to the one made by the Red Sox. But the veteran hurler saw things differently.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Lowe to meet with Braves — With the news that John Smoltz may be headed to the Red Sox, it should come as a no surprise that the Braves appear to be intensifying their pursuit of another free-agent pitcher: Derek Lowe. — According to a baseball source, Lowe is scheduled to meet …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Ken Davidoff's baseball …, Mets Fever, Hardball Times, Ya Gotta Believe, Hot Foot and 24 Hours From Suicide
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox Agree To Terms With Baldelli, Smoltz — By Tim Dierkes [January 8 at 2:31pm CST] — 2:31pm: Gordon Edes provides details on the Braves' offer to Smoltz: … 1:55pm: David O'Brien says the Braves would not exceed $3MM guaranteed for Smoltz. Braves CEO Terry McGuirk is “shocked and surprised” by his decision.
Discussion:
The Schmuck Stops Here, MLB.com, Alex Speier, Raise the Jolly Roger and Sliding Into Home
Buster Olney / ESPN:Sources: Smoltz on verge of deal with Red Sox
Discussion:
Angels blog, Bless You Boys, Over the Monster, River Avenue Blues, MLB Rumors and MLB FanHouse
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:Baldelli close to signing with Red Sox; Smoltz not far behind
Discussion:
Clubhouse Insider, The House That Dewey Built, Providence Journal, The Heater, Yahoo! Sports, ESPN, MetsBlog.com, bronxbanterblog.com, Center Field, Mets Today, It is about the money, stupid, FanGraphs Baseball, MLB Rumors, YFSF, BOSTON IRISH, Sox and Pinstripes, The Bottom Line, Main Board, Fire Brand of the …, Red Sox Monster, SOX & Dawgs and My Pinstripes
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Pettitte not happy with Yankees right now — Andy Pettitte is extremely unhappy with how his negotiations have gone with the Yankees, and the lefthander might be softening on his opposition to rejoining the Astros. — What once seemed a fait accompli - Pettitte returning to the Yankees …
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Henry Schulman / SFGate:
On Swisher and Nady — Some speculation has arisen that the Giants might find a first baseman in New York, either Nick Swisher or Xavier Nady. I do not expect either will come to San Francisco. — I've been told by a good source that Yankees GM Brian Cashman wants to keep Swisher …
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.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball, Brew Crew Ball, Brewers Bar, It is about the money, stupid and Yahoo! Sports
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
REDDING MULLS OFFER FROM METS — As Mets GM Omar Minaya continues negotiations to secure Derek Lowe's services, he also has other starting-pitching options in mind. — Minaya, according to a source, has offered a contract to Tim Redding, who went 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA for the Nationals last season.
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:Mets still confident they'll sign Lowe or Perez
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com, New York Times, MetsBlog.com, Hot Foot, Mets Fever, MLB.com, Hardball and MLB Rumors
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Agent says Lee willing to extend deal — Reigning AL Cy Young winner will be free agent after 2010 — CLEVELAND — When the Indians arrive at their new spring digs in Goodyear, Ariz., next month, one of their first orders of business might be to sit Cliff Lee down and start talking contract.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:CLEVELAND INDIANS — Baseball News, Schedule, Pictures, and More
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse
Bill Shaikin / LA Times Sports Blog:
Dodgers sign Yhency Brazoban — and 14 others — to minor league contracts — The Dodgers re-signed reliever Yhency Brazoban today, one of 15 players signed to minor league contracts. The list also includes infielder Juan Castro, whom the Dodgers tried to sign as a utility infielder last season …
NY Daily News:
Yankees swing for bling in new plan — More than a quarter of the $370 million in taxpayer financing in the Yankees' latest demand would go to shiny new toys like giant video screens and upgraded luxury suites, documents show. — Nearly $95 million is for “scope modifications” …
