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2:40 AM ET, January 29, 2009

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MLB.com:
Mariners Acquire LHP Garrett Olson, INF Ronny Cedeno From Cubs  —  Seattle sends RHP Aaron Heilman to Chicago  —  SEATTLE, Wash. — Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik today announced that the club has acquired left-handed pitcher Garrett Olson …
Discussion: Major League Baseball
Ben Shpigel / Bats:
A Heilman Homecoming  —  Just a few days ago, Steve Kelley of The Seattle Times wrote a column about one of the newest Mariners, Aaron Heilman.  In it, Heilman was quoted as saying that he was looking forward to (finally) getting a chance to start and that he was hopeful the change of scenery could revive his career.
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Cubs won't rule out adding more arms
Discussion: MLB Rumors
ESPN:
Cubs closing in on trade
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Abreu, others, might soon swallow pride  —  As recently as a week ago, the asking price on Bobby Abreu was said to be locked in place, a three-year deal for something in the neighborhood of $16 million a year.  But those numbers were based on appraisals made before the motor companies got a bailout …
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Jon Heyman: The latest on the best remaining free agents … The stunning thing about this free-agent market isn't that there are still about 100 players without jobs, it's that at least a dozen of the unemployed are excellent players in their prime.  —  It isn't just patient …
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
The latest on the best remaining free agents (cont.)  —  9. Joe Crede.  He's said to have a clean bill of health, though past back trouble obviously is worrisome to some.  The Giants, Twins and Rangers have shown interest.  —  10. Randy Wolf.  Depending on reports, Wolf rejected either $22 million …
Tyler Kepner / Bats:
Torre on Jeter, A-Rod, Beltrán, Pavano, Brown and More  —  I am not a speed reader, like my colleague Jack Curry, so there is no way I can quickly finish my copy of “The Yankee Years.”  But just from scanning it for a couple of hours, it is filled with extraordinary tidbits and rich detail.
RELATED:
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Joe Torre's poison pen in ‘The Yankee Years’ could be blot on career
NY Daily News:
Cone spills juice on Torre's clubhouse
Associated Press:
Mets still interested in bringing Pedro back in '09 … SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya says the club is interested in signing pitcher Pedro Martinez to a new contract.  —  The Mets' four-year, $53 million deal with Martinez expired after last season.
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Minaya may be looking at Pedro  —  Report states that GM expressed interest to pitcher's agent  —  A report out of the Dominican Republic on Wednesday says Mets general manager Omar Minaya has expressed interest in re-signing Pedro Martinez.  The report by The Associated Press cites no source …
Discussion: Mets Fever
Fox Sports:
Dodgers have even clearer path to sign Wolf  —  The pitching dominos might be starting to fall.  So is Randy Wolf next?  Our Ken Rosenthal went straight to the source for answers.
Discussion: MLB Rumors and Mets Fever
RELATED:
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles in talks with Looper  —  Free-agent pitcher Braden Looper would fill rotation hole for Orioles  —  Still seeking an innings-eater for the middle of their rotation, the Orioles continue to have talks with the representative of free-agent pitcher Braden Looper, according to industry sources.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers, Sheets no closer to reunion  —  GM Melvin reached out after Red Sox signed Penny, Smoltz  —  MILWAUKEE — At every winter stop, a Brewers fan would ask general manager Doug Melvin the same question, and it was usually the first one asked.  —  Is there any chance the Brewers will look at re-signing Ben Sheets?
Discussion: Mets Fever and MLB Rumors
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Benoit may be lost for season  —  Rangers righty has surgery to repair torn rotator cuff  —  ARLINGTON — The Rangers, still over two weeks away from Spring Training, have suffered another major setback in their pitching staff.  —  Right-hander Joaquin Benoit underwent surgery on Tuesday …
Discussion: MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Associated Press:   Rangers' Benoit undergoes rotator cuff surgery
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
David Weathers signs with Reds  —  The Reds avoided arbitration with David Weathers by signing the bulldog reliever to a one-year contract with an option worth $3.9 million, the Post has learned.  —  Weathers will make $3.5 million this year with a club option for 2010 worth $3.7 million or a $400,000 buyout.
Discussion: Bottom9 Baseball and Yahoo! Sports
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Glavine, Wren discuss 2009 season  —  Braves' need for an outfielder a factor in ability to ink lefty  —  ATLANTA — Tom Glavine understands the Braves might not have the funds to satisfy his financial desire.  But the veteran left-hander still remains hopeful he'll have the opportunity to pitch at least one more season in Atlanta.
Discussion: MLB Rumors
Mets Blog:
Bowa: Dodgers need Manny  —  At least one person is ready to admit his team needs Manny Ramirez.  Dodgers third-base coach Larry Bowa is adamant that his team should bring back Ramirez, who is a free agent.  —  “I'm going to tell you something right now, if Manny Ramirez doesn't sign with us, we're in deep trouble.
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 More News: 
Associated Press:
Izturis, Angels avoid arbitration with $1.6M deal
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
Jack Marshall / Hardball Times:
The truth about Scott Boras
Discussion: Baseball Crank
MLB:
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Reuters:
New York Times puts Red Sox stake on the block
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Giants to add Clark to front-office post
Discussion: Hardball Times and Yahoo! Sports
Neil Best / Watchdog:
Teammates were fed up with Johnny Damon early in '07
Discussion: Hardball Times
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