Top News:
Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Sox agree to terms with Baldelli, Smoltz — (AP) — Read a transcript of tonight's Baldelli press conference — 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.
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Boston Herald:
Mark Kotsay set to re-sign — After adding one role player yesterday by signing outfielder Rocco Baldelli to a one-year, $500,000 deal with incentives, the Red Sox [team stats] are poised to add another soon. — Mark Kotsay, whom the Sox obtained from Atlanta last August …
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Red Sox still pursuing Varitek — Boston GM knows catcher's importance, but has other options — BOSTON — The starting rotation is basically complete, with John Smoltz and Brad Penny climbing on board within the next couple of days. The backup outfield hole has been filled with Rocco Baldelli.
Discussion:
Sox and Pinstripes
Associated Press:
Smoltz, Red Sox agree to terms … BOSTON (AP) — John Smoltz and Brad Penny are on their way to the Red Sox. Rocco Baldelli was already in Boston, holding up his new jersey. — After missing out on Mark Teixeira, the biggest free-agent prize of the offseason, the Red Sox were poised …
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 …
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Glavine open to pitching outside Atlanta — Now that Greg Maddux has retired and John Smoltz has opted to leave Atlanta for the Boston Red Sox, the question remains: What's next on the agenda for the other member of the Braves' “Big Three”? — As Tom Glavine continues to make progress …
Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Pirates, Yankees talk Swisher, Nady — The Pirates have had trade talks with the New York Yankees regarding outfielders Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady, one high-level source said today, but there is little cause to expect a deal involving either coming to Pittsburgh.
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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 …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, Pinstripes, Pa., MLB Rumors, Rivera's Cutter, WasWatching.com, The Yankee Scrolls and iYankees
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Giants, Swisher would be nice match — Yankees could be shopping outfielder after signing Teixeira — SAN FRANCISCO — Wield the process-of-elimination pen long enough across the list of hitters who have been linked to the Giants as potential trade or free-agency acquisitions …
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Pettitte return to Houston highly unlikely — Despite report of lefty's interest, Astros remain firm on payroll — HOUSTON — The last time Andy Pettitte was unhappy with the Yankees, he phoned “home” — home being the Astros — and struck a tidy three-year deal that lasted from 2004 until '06.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats unlikely to sign top free agents — Washington no longer in running for Dunn, Hudson or Lowe — WASHINGTON — It appears the Nationals will not sign any major free agents this offseason. According to a baseball source, they will concentrate on their Minor League system and try to make trades for young players.
Discussion:
Nats320
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Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:
Nats Draw Line With Dunn, Hudson — Though the Washington Nationals' pursuit of its top free agent targets — Adam Dunn and Orlando Hudson — has not been called off, the team is discouraged about its chances of signing either, one well-placed source said yesterday.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
New York Post:
DO A-ROD AND TEX GET ALONG? — ESPN'S GAMMONS CLAIMS THEY DIDN'T IN TEXAS — ESPN baseball analyst Peter Gammons appeared on Boston radio station WEEI yesterday and referenced a rift between new Yankees teammates Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. — “As you probably remember …
Discussion:
Royals Review, WasWatching.com, iYankees, BASEBALL HOT CORNER, bronxbanterblog.com and Boston Globe
Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com:
Dodgers reaffirm interest in Manny — LA general manager Colletti ready to ‘keep talking’ about deal — Despite reports claiming that Manny Ramirez may prove to be too costly for the Dodgers, general manager Ned Colletti said Thursday that the club still has interest in the free-agent slugger.
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
ESPN:
Sources: Hoffman, Brewers have deal — Career-saves leader Trevor Hoffman will be the Brewers' closer next season. — Hoffman — Sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney that Hoffman has agreed to a deal with Milwaukee. — Hoffman — Terms were not immediately available …
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