Top News:
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Manny Ramirez will remain with Dodgers — The outfielder will not exercise the escape clause in his contract that would have let him re-enter the free-agent market. — The Dodgers have learned that Manny Ramirez will be theirs for another season — at a price tag of $20 million.
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Manny exercises option, remains in LA — Outfielder will earn $20 million with Dodgers in 2010 — LOS ANGELES — Outfielder Manny Ramirez notified the Dodgers on Friday that he's exercising his $20 million option and will return to the team for 2010, agent Scott Boras confirmed.
Dylan Hernandez / LA Times Sports Blog:
Dodgers: Manny Ramirez to return in 2010 — Manny Ramirez will return to the Dodgers next season, according to his agent, Scott Boras. — Boras said that he informed General Manager Ned Colletti today that Ramirez would not exercise the escape clause in the two-year, $45-million contract he signed in the spring.
Discussion:
Fox Sports, ESPN, Dodger Divorce, Yahoo! Sports, MetsBlog.com, MLB Rumors and LA Observed
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Donnelly, Gload file for free agency — Marlins hold exclusive negotiating rights until Nov. 19 — MIAMI — Neither one of them was on the roster when the Marlins opened Spring Training in 2009. Yet, both became big contributors. — Now, reliever Brendan Donnelly and first baseman/pinch-hitter Ross Gload will test the market.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Johnson, Calero file for free agency — Veteran first baseman not expected to return to club — MIAMI — In 35 games, Nick Johnson made an impact with the Marlins. But unless Florida works out a contract with the veteran, those 35 games may be the extent of Johnson's tenure with the organization.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
Expect moves, moves and more moves — Johnny Damon, John Lackey and Matt Holliday are among the hot offseason topics — The baseball offseason is one of the great misnomers in the game. There is no offseason anymore in baseball. The winter months are filled with signings, trades and moves of all kinds.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Twins exercise 2011 option on Cuddyer — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Twins have picked up outfielder Michael Cuddyer's $10.5 million option for 2011. — Cuddyer hit a career-high 32 home runs to lead the team. He also had 94 RBIs and was sixth in the American League with 73 extra-base hits.
Associated Press:
Report: Lincecum reaches deal on drug charge — SEATTLE (AP) - San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum has an agreement with a prosecutor in his home state of Washington that could settle his misdemeanor marijuana charge, The Columbian reported Friday. — The Vancouver, Wash. …
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Blue Jays, D'Backs Discussing Snyder For Overbay — 12:31pm: Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports that the two teams are discussing a Snyder for Lyle Overbay swap. He mentions that it's “unclear how far along the trade talks are.” — 10:05am: MLBTR has learned that the Blue Jays …
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
World Series Averages 19.4 Million Viewers, Up 42% From 2008 — Fueled by outstanding individual and team performances, dramatic come-from-behind wins and the most one-run games in a single postseason, each round of the 2009 MLB Postseason generated double-digit percentage year-to-year increases …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Cashman casts praise far and wide — As the Yankees' players hopped happily in the middle of the infield late Wednesday, in the first moments after winning the World Series, plastic glasses were dispensed in the suite of general manager Brian Cashman. There were about 20 members …
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Sox were in on Hardy — Before you ask the obvious question, here's the answer: yes, the Red Sox were in on discussions for shortstop J.J. Hardy, who was traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Minnesota Twins earlier today. — According to a baseball source, the Sox had been engaging …
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Peter Gammons / ESPN:
Beckett will be free agent after 2010 — Josh Beckett told WEEI.com that he wants to come to Boston in the next couple of weeks to get a reading on the club's feelings about an extension when his contract expires after next season. — Beckett is highly respected by the Boston staff.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers part ways with Treanor, Thames — Pair likely to become free agents after removal from roster — DETROIT — Marcus Thames' Tigers tenure is likely over. The team removed him from the 40-man roster Friday, the first step towards making the slugging outfielder a free agent.
Discussion:
MVN
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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Matsui's uncertain offseason begins — World Series MVP says he hopes to return to Yankees — NEW YORK — Minutes after topping his career with a World Series title on Wednesday, Hideki Matsui addressed the thousands still in attendance at Yankee Stadium, professing his love for both the city and the team.
Andy Martino / Philly.com:
Phils exploring alternatives to Feliz; Lidge's elbow examined — The Phillies are actively exploring options at third base other than Pedro Feliz, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said today. — The team has until Monday to exercise a $5.5 million dollar contract option on Feliz for the 2010 season.
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