Top News:
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 …
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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.
Chad Finn / Boston Globe:Sox agree to terms with Baldelli, Smoltz
Discussion:
HER RAYS!, SOX & Dawgs, Bugs & Cranks, sox1fan.com, The Schmuck Stops Here, Alex Speier, The Heater, Red Sox Monster, Clubhouse Insider, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Raise the Jolly Roger, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Surviving Grady, Center Field, MLB.com, The Mighty Quinn Media Machine, Sox and Pinstripes and Over the Monster
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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Bill Shaikin / LA Times Sports Blog:Chipper Jones a July fit for Dodgers or Angels?
Discussion:
Hardball Times
Jack Wilkinson / Sports Illustrated:Smoltz's departure from Atlanta signals end of an era
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster
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:
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Starting Pitcher: Mets still Leaders for Lowe — Interestingly, during tonight's Hot Stove show on the MLB Network, SI.com's Jon Heyman said, while Omar Minaya prefers Oliver Perez to Lowe, some in the team's front-office prefer Lowe, because he is a ground-ball pitcher …
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Braves Join Mets in Pursuit of Lowe — Once again, Scott Boras has his ideal situation: two ostensible rivals bidding for the same player. — In a discouraging development for the Mets, the Braves emerged Thursday as a serious suitor for the free-agent starter Derek Lowe …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Hoffman has far-reaching impact — Closer addition offers McClung, Villanueva more defined roles — MILWAUKEE — With one big move, the Brewers might have strengthened both their bullpen and their starting rotation. — Assuming that all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman passes his physical …
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.
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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.
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Bradley hopes to fill Cubs' problem spot — Since Sammy Sosa left in disgrace after the 2004 season, right field has been a sinkhole of talent — and dollars — for the Cubs. — First there was Jeromy Burnitz, then Jacque Jones, Cliff Floyd and Kosuke Fukudome. — And now there is Milton Bradley.
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Carl Steward / insideBayArea:
Voter: I made a mistake not voting for Rickey Henderson — It remains to be seen how close Rickey Henderson comes to being the first unanimous selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame, but the one sportswriter who publicly disclosed that he didn't vote for Henderson already has admitted he made a mistake.
MLB.com:
Brewers and Potawatomi Bingo Casino form presenting sponsor partnership — First presenting sponsorship for a Major League sports franchise in Wisconsin history — MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Brewers and Potawatomi Bingo Casino today announced a multiyear partnership in which Potawatomi Bingo Casino …
Steve Buckley / Boston Herald:
Jim Rice ‘Restless’ but not about Hall — Say this about Jim Rice: He was never much of a politician as a player and he has never been much of a politician as an ex-player. — This is why those members of the Baseball Writers Association of America, who each year are entrusted with determining …
