Top News:
Murray Chass / Murray Chass On Baseball:
WITH THIS WOULD-BE MANAGER, V IS FOR LOSER — The Boston Red Sox, trying to replace the Chicago Cubs as modern-day lovable losers, may be on the verge of extending their September swoon into a December descent. They may not realize it, but if they hire Bobby Valentine as their manager they could be adding injury to insult.
Discussion:
Full Count, Can't Stop The Bleeding, Mets Merized Online, baseballmusings.com, THE BOOK and joy of sox
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Suggestion box opened on behalf of Red Sox — The Red Sox didn't have to be first in naming a new manager, but the fact that they will be last has to be distracting in terms of trying to set their team for 2012. — It's not that they haven't done their due diligence in contacting free agents and other teams regarding deals.
Discussion:
Call to the Pen, MLB Rumors, NESN.com and FenwayNation
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Red Sox search down to Valentine, Lamont — Club expected to name new manager within next few days — BOSTON — Barring a major surprise, either Bobby Valentine or Gene Lamont will be named Terry Francona's successor at a press conference sometime within the next few days.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
John Tomase / Boston Herald:
Sox finalists: Bobby Valentine, Gene Lamont — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio — It's down to two. — The long and winding Red Sox [team stats] managerial search has entered its final stages, and barring a surprise, the team has whittled its list to a pair of finalists: Gene Lamont and Bobby Valentine.
Discussion:
Fox Sports, Boston Globe, MLB Rumors, baseballmusings.com and Full Count
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Source: Red Sox yet to make offer to Valentine — The Boston Red Sox have yet to make an offer to presumed managerial front-runner Bobby Valentine, according to an industry source. — The 61-year-old Valentine, an ESPN baseball analyst, had a formal interview with general manager Ben Cherington …
Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Rays trade C Jaso to Seattle for reliever Lueke — UPDATE, 8:30: Lueke said he was 'a little surprised" to be traded but feels he is ready to compete for a big-league job and is excited about getting back to the east (he is from Ky.). As for the criminal issues, he said they are in the past and he is trying to move on. "
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, DRaysBay and U.S.S. Mariner
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Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Rays acquire righty Lueke from Mariners — Dealing Jaso opens room for expected signing of J. Molina — ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays announced Sunday night that they had acquired right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke and a player to be named or cash considerations from the Mariners in exchange for catcher John Jaso.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com:
Blue Jays acquire infielder Valbuena from Tribe — CLEVELAND — The Indians traded infielder Luis Valbuena to the Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations on Saturday. — Valbuena, who showed promise a couple of seasons ago with the Tribe, had been designated for assignment on Nov. 18 …
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …, Call to the Pen, Amazin' Avenue and Bluebird Banter
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Zack Meisel / MLB.com:
Indians make minor changes to uniforms — CLEVELAND — It might take a keen eye to notice, but the Cleveland Indians have made a few subtle tweaks to their uniforms for the 2012 season. — The club's traditional home white uniform will feature the usual front script “Indians,” but with a two-layer red and navy blue applique.
Discussion:
Plain Dealer
Adam Berry / MLB.com:
Report: Chili Davis to be A's hitting coach — Former slugger coached this past season in Red Sox system — The A's have hired Chili Davis to be their new hitting coach, according to a report by Comcast SportsNet New England. — Davis, 52, served as the hitting coach for Boston's Triple …
Discussion:
Giants Win, Pinstripe Alley, Yahoo! Sports and Halos Heaven
Juan C. Rodriguez / Florida Marlins:
Miami Marlins to host C.J. Wilson Monday; nothing on tap with Prince Fielder — Hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving and emerged safely from any food comas. — The buzz has died down a bit on the Marlins since their initial free agent flurry, but it should start picking up again.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
Peter Gammons / MLB.com:
Nathan signing puts Feliz in rightful place — Rangers have long planned for righty to pitch in rotation — This was always the plan for Neftali Feliz. Oh, Game 6 remains painful for Rangers fans, but not the kind of angst that has had John McNamara and Roger Clemens taking shots at one another for 25 years.
