Top News:
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
PHILS SIGN COLE HAMELS FOR THREE YEARS — The Phillies have reached a three-year, $20.5 million contract with their ace, Cole Hamels, the Post has learned. — Hamels will receive $4.35 million in 2009, $6.65 million in 2010 and $9.5 million in 2011. Though a long-term contract …
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Phils' Hamels gets $20.5M extension — Ace left-hander Cole Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies have reached agreement on a three-year extension worth $20.5 million, SI.com has learned. — The new deal will pay the Phillies' World Series hero $4.35 million this coming season, then $6.65 million in 2010 and $9.5 million in 2011.
Discussion:
crashburnalley.com, MLB Rumors, Phillies Nation, Bottom9 Baseball, MVN and Associated Press
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Source: O's, Markakis close to six-year extension — Reported deal would be worth between $64 million and $66 million in guaranteed money — It looks as if Nick Markakis will be patrolling right field at Camden Yards for several more years. — Markakis and the Orioles have made …
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Lowe: I'll love playing in Atlanta — Contract finalized, right-hander introduced at Turner Field — ATLANTA — When Derek Lowe arrived at Turner Field for a Jan. 8 meeting with the Braves, it seemed like the team couldn't have picked a worse day to attempt to sell him on the organization.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves to discuss option of adding Andruw — Agent says 8 teams have called about free agent — Andruw Jones is there if they want him, but the Braves haven't decided if they want him enough to make any significant commitment to the fallen former Atlanta center fielder.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yankees Hearing Offers for Swisher and Nady — On his official Web site, Nick Swisher is depicted in a Yankees uniform, staring out at a pitcher as he wags his bat over his head. The photo has obviously been altered — Swisher has a beard, for one thing — and the scene it depicts may never come to pass.
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Associated Press:
Carpenter seeking return to Cardinals rotation — ST. LOUIS (AP) — Two months after having elbow surgery, oft-injured St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Chris Carpenter is optimistic about making at least 28 starts this season. — “I feel great. I really do,” Carpenter said Saturday …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Mets are unlikely to be keeping up with Jones — The Mets briefly contemplated trading for Andruw Jones earlier this winter as a way to unload Luis Castillo's contract. — But while the Dodgers have eaten the final year of the free-agent bust's whopping deal, one team official still answered …
Gary Armida / fullcountpitch.com:
Pitching Perspectives with Rick Peterson — An Overview of 4 Key Issues of Major League Pitching — If one was to poll major league executives, players, and coaches along with fans and the media about the most important element for the success of a team, the resounding answer would be pitching.
Alex Walsh / MLB Rumors:
Reds Predictions From John Fay — By Alex Walsh [January 17 at 4:00pm CST] — John Fay has taken a unique approach to generating some more offseason predictions for this weekend. Rather than offer up ideas on what the Reds might do, Fay thinks he's more likely to be correct if he takes a few guesses at what they won't do.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Piniella hints Marshall is front-runner for fifth starter — CUBS IN BRIEF: — With the opening of Cubs Convention signaling the winter stretch drive toward spring training, the Cubs have a significant question mark at the end of their rotation. And the first thing manager Lou Piniella …
Discussion:
GoatRiders of the Apocalypse
Brian Cartwright / FanGraphs Baseball:
The Great Derek Jeter Conspiracy — or Part III of 'Things Aren't Always as They Appear". — How is it that Derek Jeter can win three consecutive Gold Glove awards (2004-2006) for being the best defensive shortstop in the American League, but virtually every saber fielding metric rates him among the worst?
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates reach out to Martinez — But talks with free-agent pitcher just exploratory — BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates have had contact with Pedro Martinez, one of the most prominent names among free-agent pitchers, and would be interested if the price is right. But talks solely have been exploratory to this point.
