Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Oliver signs one-year, $3.655M contract — Lefty reliever Darren Oliver avoided salary arbitration with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, signing a one-year, $3.655 million contract with the club. — Oliver's agent, Mike McCann of the Franklin-Frye-McCann group, confirmed the signing.
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Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Dobbs agrees to two-year deal with Phillies; Oliver signs with Angels — Greg Dobbs, a key role player for the Phillies, has found a measure of security with his new World Series ring. Dobbs agreed to a two-year, $2.5-million contract today. — Dobbs, who hit .301 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins discuss Andruw Jones — If Andruw Jones doesn't return to the Atlanta Braves, he might find a landing spot in South Florida. — According to a baseball source, the Marlins have conducted internal discussions about Jones, who the Dodgers released Thursday after restructuring …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Associated Press:
Braves eyeing returns for Glavine, Jones — ATLANTA — The Braves will wait for Tom Glavine to meet with doctors next week before deciding whether to offer a one-year contract, and they are mulling whether to sign Andruw Jones. — Glavine made just 13 starts before season-ending elbow surgery and has not thrown off a mound since.
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Reds legends help ‘Ellen’ land Clooney — Movie star a life-long fan of Hall of Fame Cincinnati sluggers — Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan have done what the Chippendales, the Rockettes, Brad Pitt and even president-elect Barack Obama couldn't. — After more than two years of trying …
The Heater:
Rays sign reliever Lance Cormier — The Rays signed righthanded reliever Lance Cormier to a one-year, $675,000 contract. — To make room on the 40-man roster, they designated for assignment righthander Dewon Day, whom they had just claimed off waivers. — Cormier, 28, was with the Orioles …
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Varitek, Henry to meet — In what may be a final attempt to end a stalemate that has existed throughout this offseason, Red Sox captain Jason Varitek has a meeting planned with club owner John Henry tonight that could facilitate a resolution with the free-agent catcher.
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Springer not in Cardinals' 2009 plans — Veteran hurler says club decided to go with younger options — ST. LOUIS — Russ Springer has decided he wants to pitch another year — at least one more year. The Cardinals have decided that it won't happen in St. Louis.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Curt Schilling / 38 Pitches:
Why it's never been a game to me. — Baseball has never been a game to me, regardless of what anyone outside the profession may think. It wasn't a game to me before I was a player, and certainly wasn't a game when I was a player. It was always more than that to me and this story below nails it in so many ways.
Discussion:
New York Times, This Purist Bleeds Pinstripes, The LoHud Yankees Blog, My Pinstripes and Bats
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Joe Cowley / Inside the White Sox:
Sox sign Colon - bye, bye Freddy Garcia — The White Sox were looking to add a veteran pitcher to compete in the starting rotation at some point this offseason, and all signs pointed toward it being the pitcher nicknamed “Big Game.” — Rather than take a chance on the ailing shoulder of Freddy Garcia …
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers' pursuit of Dunn is done — Team not interested in trading Hart to open spot for slugger — MILWAUKEE — The Brewers showed some interest in free-agent slugger Adam Dunn during the Winter Meetings, but by Christmas there was no longer a match, general manager Doug Melvin said.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Adam Schefter / NFL.com Blogs:
Cowboys assistant Garrett traveling to St. Louis — Jason Garrett is traveling to St. Louis this afternoon, according to a league source, and it could be a sign that the Cowboys' offensive coordinator is the Rams' pick as their new head coach. — The Rams said Thursday that they wanted to have a head-coaching decision by Saturday.
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk.com
Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Youkilis transcript — The Red Sox held a press conference at 2 p.m. this afternoon at Fenway Park to formally announce the signing of first baseman Kevin Youkilis to a four-year contract with a fifth-year option. — The ball club did not reveal the financial terms of the deal …
The Big Lead:
An Interview with ESPN's Scott Van Pelt — Everyone's familiar with ESPN Sportscenter anchor Scott Van Pelt, so let's do away with the formality of introducing him. In our interview with him, the Maryland grad - who also covers golf for ESPN - talked about nightlife in Bristol …
