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:
whygavs.com, Boston Globe, DRaysBay, Red Sox Monster, MLB FanHouse, SOX & Dawgs, The Bottom Line, Projo Sox Blog, Rays Index, Over the Monster and 3:10 to Joba
RELATED:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Baldelli close to signing with Red Sox; Smoltz not far behind — Rocco Baldelli is scheduled to be at tonight'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?
Discussion:
Sox and Pinstripes, YFSF, FanGraphs Baseball, The Bottom Line, Sliding Into Home and SOX & Dawgs
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
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 …
Discussion:
Raise the Jolly Roger, Main Board, whygavs.com, MLB Rumors, Bucs Trade Winds and The Bottom Line
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
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.
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.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Marc Topkin / The Heater:
Baldelli set to find new home - in Boston — Free-agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli appears on the verge of finding a new home - in Boston — The Times learned Wednesday that Baldelli could sign with a team very soon, and ESPN's Peter Gammons reported Wednesday night the Red Sox were “close” to a deal.
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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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:
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.
Discussion:
San Diego Union-Tribune
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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.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Distinguished Senators, Church of Baseball, Nats Triple Play and Nationals Journal
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.
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 …
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.
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 …
