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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Lowe agrees to $60 million deal with Braves — The Braves finally have their ace. — They've agreed to terms with veteran pitcher Derek Lowe on a four-year, $60 million contract, a person familiar with negotiations said this morning. The deal will be finalized after Lowe takes a physical Wednesday.
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Lowe's talks with Braves heating up … Free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe is in serious discussions with the Atlanta Braves, SI.com has learned. — The Braves are trying hard to finalize a deal that would solidify their rotation. The deal for Lowe is believed to be for close to $60 million over four years.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: Braves make 4-year, $60M offer — Free-agent pitcher Derek Lowe has received a four-year, contract offer worth about $60 million from the Braves, and indications are that he's leaning strongly toward signing with Atlanta, a baseball source told ESPN.com.
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Lowe goes to Braves … Star free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe is heading to the Braves, SI.com has learned. — Lowe will soon sign with Atlanta, according to officials with both the Mets and Phillies, the two other National League division rivals in contention for Lowe.
Mike Puma / New York Post:
MINAYA'S 50-50 ON PEDRO'S RETURN — Heads, it's Derek Lowe, Oliver Perez or Randy Wolf. Tails, it's Pedro Martinez or some other option for the Mets' rotation. — GM Omar Minaya yesterday made it a coin flip when asked about his confidence in landing one of the Big 3 starters he has pursued in recent weeks.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Vote is in — anybody understand it? — I keep looking at the numbers that just rolled in from Hall of Fame Election Central. — They can't be right. — Unless my calculator's busted, those numbers are telling me that 28 voters cast ballots that did not include the name of Rickey Henderson.
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ESPN.com:
Smoltz says he's determined, focused — BOSTON — John Smoltz has signed with the Boston Red Sox, confident he can still contribute after 20 years with the Atlanta Braves and major offseason shoulder surgery. — Smoltz — “I'm as determined and I'm as focused as I've ever been,” …
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Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Sox, Diamondbacks continue to talk Montero — At this point, the Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks clearly feel there is a fit. The Diamondbacks have a catcher to deal and the Red Sox have prospects to trade, and it is only a matter of finding the right match. — Unless, of course, something better comes along.
Duk / Yahoo! Sports:
Mets' pizza patch the laughingstock of baseball uniform world — If you're the type of person who doesn't spend much time thinking about sleeve patches on uniforms, don't worry. — Neither do the Mets. — The team recently unveiled the logo to celebrate their upcoming first season …
Brian McTaggart / Houston Chronicle:
Astros closer Valverde agrees to $8 million deal — Team, reliever avoid arbitration with one-year agreement — After losing his arbitration case as spring training began last year, closer Jose Valverde got a contract finalized well in advance of camp by agreeing to a one-year, $8 million deal with the Astros on Monday.
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Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Enter smiling — Long wait ends as Sox slugger Rice, never one to court the media, wins writers' votes for Hall of Fame in last time on ballot — He crushed baseballs for 16 Boston summers, rarely pausing to take a bow, shake a hand, or play the fool for the 6 o'clock standup.
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Source: Angels express interest in Dye — Life “under, under the radar,” is the way White Sox general manager Ken Williams is now choosing to conduct business this off-season. — That means rumors are mere whispers from dark corners, while actual news that is uncovered is met with a standard …
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Peter Schmuck / The Schmuck Stops Here:
Minor matters — The Orioles have signed a couple more players to minor league contracts. Jolbert Cabrera, who is the brother of shortstop Orlando Cabrera, will compete with Donnie Murphy and Chris Gomez for a utility role and probably end up as Triple-A depth.
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:Orioles ink J. Cabrera, Hammock to minor league deals
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MLB Rumors
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds assessing free-agent outfielders — As stock continues to dwindle, club considers adding a slugger — CINCINNATI — Much of the Reds' Hot Stove talk this winter has centered on finding a right-handed hitter who can play left field. — Now that most of the quality righty sluggers …
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Mets' pursuit of Perez heating up — NEW YORK — The Mets might be closer to filling another slot in their starting rotation with a familiar face. — Speaking on MLB Network's Hot Stove show, SI.com's Jon Heyman reported on Monday that the Mets have offered left-hander Oliver Perez …
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:Starting Pitcher: Mets offer 3-yr Deal to Perez
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
First-rounders earn non-roster invites — Beckham, Poreda among 18 players who will join Sox in spring — CHICAGO — Two potential on-field standouts of the not-too-distant future for the White Sox officially will be on display during the team's first Spring Training in Glendale, Ariz. …
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