Top News:
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox Sign Dan Wheeler — The Red Sox have signed reliever Dan Wheeler to a one-year contract worth $3MM guaranteed. The deal includes a $3MM option (no buyout) for 2012 that can vest with 65 appearances. Another $250K can be earned with 75 appearances. Wheeler has passed his physical.
Discussion:
Projo Sox Blog, ecweei.prod.acquia-sites.com, HardballTalk and NESN.com
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Alex Speier / Full Count:
Red Sox round out relief remake by adding Dan Wheeler — The Red Sox have reached an agreement with reliever Dan Wheeler to help shore up their bullpen. (AP) — The Red Sox bullpen was an unquestioned weakness in 2010, the team's 4.24 ERA ranking 12th in the American League and 24th in the majors.
Discussion:
Fanhouse MLB Blog, Over the Monster and The Joy of Sox
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Sources: Dan Wheeler to join Red Sox — BOSTON — The Great Bullpen Reconstruction continued Saturday, with news that the Red Sox had come to terms with another veteran setup man, right-hander Dan Wheeler, according to team sources. — Wheeler, one of the reliable pieces Joe Maddon employed …
Mike Bauman / MLB.com:
Jenks makes Red Sox a lot more formidable
Jon Paul Morosi / Fox Sports:
Sources: Greinke asks Royals for trade — Zack Greinke wants to be traded, and the Kansas City Royals intend to grant his wish. — Greinke fired his agent on Friday, the clearest indication yet of the ace right-hander's desire to be sent to another club.
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Sam Mellinger / Kansas City Star:
Greinke changes agents, still wants to be traded — The Zack Greinke saga continues, with small details changing this week, but the outline remains the same. — Greinke changed agents from SFX Baseball to Casey Close of CAA, who also counts the Yankees' Derek Jeter among his clients.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels' owner Arte Moreno has his limits — Moreno says he's willing to spend, but $142 million for Carl Crawford was too much if the team wants to keep prices reasonable. — Angels owner Arte Moreno, right, waves while talking to outfielder Torii Hunter during a spring training session in February.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
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Mike DiGiovanna / LA Times Sports Blog:
Angels owner explains refusal to meet Crawford's asking price …
Angels owner explains refusal to meet Crawford's asking price …
Discussion:
Full Count, Boston Globe, HardballTalk, Fanhouse MLB Blog and Halos Heaven
Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Padres Acquire Jason Bartlett — The Padres have acquired Jason Bartlett from the Rays, tweets Marty Caswell of XX1090 Sports Radio. San Diego will also receive a player to be named later from Tampa Bay in exchange for Brandon Gomes, Adam Russell, Cesar Ramos, and Cole Figueroa.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Near deal with Hudson, Padres add Bartlett
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Orlando Hudson signs with Padres
Orlando Hudson signs with Padres
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, Gaslamp Ball and MLB Rumors
Matt Antonelli / The Official Blog of Matt Antonelli:
THE DECISION... Hey guys! The weeks seem to be flying by the last few months. I really can't believe Christmas is only a week away. I still haven't gone shopping yet, but that isn't anything new. When it comes to holiday shopping I rank towards the top of the list of procrastinators.
Discussion:
NATS INSIDER, NATIONALS NEWS NETWORK and Federal Baseball
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Pete Kerzel / The Goessling Game:
2B Antonelli blogs that he's joining Nationals
2B Antonelli blogs that he's joining Nationals
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Erik Boland / Newsday:
Mo will try to convince Pettitte to return — Mariano Rivera has plans to call an old friend. — “I might try to reach him soon,” Rivera said Thursday of Andy Pettitte, who continues to deliberate about pitching in 2011. — “I want to hear what he's doing, what he wants to do,” Rivera said.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
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Jim Armstrong / All Things Rockies:
Francis' decision expected soon — I figured it would be today. If not today, then early next week. By then, Jeff Francis figures to be a Rockie or a former Rockie. — Francis has responded to a few texts this offseason, but hasn't commented on his contractual situation.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Mets Merized Online, ESPN and MLB Rumors
Mike Fast / Baseball Prospectus:
BP Unfiltered — What does Pettitte throw? — I recently wrote an article for ESPN Insider about Andy Pettitte's potential role in firming up the Yankee rotation in their competition for the American League East title in 2011. The Baseball Prospectus version of the article is here.
Discussion:
THE BOOK
Richard Griffin / Toronto Star:
Blue Jay lineup an ongoing experiment — Alex Anthopoulos, the Blue Jays' 34-year-old GM, is no longer a rookie. After being forced to hit the ground running with the Roy Halladay trade last December, maybe he never was. As such, Anthopoulos will be the first to admit his club …
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Nady, Blanco may round out D-backs' moves — PHOENIX — Kevin Towers will not take the next two months off, but with the signings Friday of outfielder/first baseman Xavier Nady and catcher Henry Blanco, the D-backs' GM has completed his winter checklist. — “I'd say there's a good chance …
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit and HardballTalk
Sports Illustrated:
Two best remaining targets on the market … This offseason has been, for the most part, a mystery. The Carl Crawford signing with the Red Sox was slightly surprising in that most folks had him pegged for the Angels, the Jayson Werth deal with the Nationals was very surprising in that nobody …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Texas Rangers
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