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.
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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:
MetsBlog.com, NESN.com, Call to the Pen, MLB Rumors and FenwayNation
Larry Granillo / Baseball Prospectus:
A new Bobby Valentine story — Rumors have been swirling recently that ex-Mets and Rangers manager Bobby Valentine is among the finalists for the vacant Boston Red Sox position. Terry Francona did not leave Boston under good circumstances, with the ugly news about beer and fried chicken parties …
Discussion:
By Ken Levine
Dan Connolly / Orioles Insider:
Orioles' top affiliate will have a new manager in 2012 — The Orioles' top affiliate will have a new manager in 2012. Ron Johnson, a long-time minor-league skipper who spent the past two seasons as first base coach for the Boston Red Sox, is expected to take over as the manager of the Norfolk Tides, the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Full Count
Zach Links / MLB Rumors:
Astros Dismiss Ed Wade, Tal Smith — 11:33pm: The Astros have confirmed in a press release that they are letting General Manager Ed Wade and President of Baseball Operations Tal Smith go. The release goes on to say that Assistant GM Dave Gottfried will serve as interim GM until a new GM is hired.
Discussion:
Ultimate Astros, The Crawfish Boxes and Yahoo! Sports
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Fox Sports:
Sources: Major changes coming for Astros — The Astros are expected to announce major changes Monday, including the dismissal of general manager Ed Wade, according to major league sources. — Tal Smith, the team's president of baseball operations, also is expected to leave his current position, possibly by retiring, sources say.
Discussion:
Ultimate Astros, ESPN, SportsJustice, Baseball Nation, Purple Row, MLB Daily Dish and Bucs Dugout
Zachary Levine / Ultimate Astros:
Tal Smith disappointed with manner of firing, wants to stay in baseball
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Mark Hale / New York Post:
Former Mets closer Wagner won't consider Phillies offer — The Phillies were interested in having Billy Wagner come out of retirement next season, but the star closer passed on both returning to baseball and rejoining the Mets' arch rivals. — Wagner, who retired after a sparkling 2010 with the Braves …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
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Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
Broxton's agent doesn't think he'll sign with Mets
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and MLB Rumors
Dylan Hernandez / Dodgers Blog:
Jonathan Broxton not returning to the Dodgers, agent says
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Lynn Henning / Detroit News for Monday …:
Tigers' sights are on Mark Buehrle, but they're not alone — Six years ago next week, the Tigers signed a 41-year-old left-handed pitcher named Kenny Rogers to balance a starting rotation heavy with youth. — The Tigers are packing for next week's Winter Meetings in Dallas and hope to grab …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Bless You Boys, HardballTalk and The Goessling Game
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Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Rays trade C Jaso to Seattle for reliever Lueke — UPDATE, 9:01: Jaso, driving through the California mountains at the time, was caught off-guard by the news, expecting to come to spring training with a solid shot to be the front-line catcher: “Definitely surprised. ... It was a really big shock.”
Discussion:
Lookout Landing, U.S.S. Mariner, MLB Rumors, DRaysBay, Hardball Times, Rays Index, MLB Daily Dish, Yahoo! Sports and FanGraphs Baseball
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Michael Silverman / Clubhouse Insider:
‘Serious interest’ in Red Sox DH David Ortiz from other teams — Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz has choices now. — The free agent is receiving “serious interest” from more than one team, an industry source said today, indicating that Ortiz has more than one offer already.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Boston Herald and Fenway West
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Change of heart: Kaat deserves Cooperstown — Decades later, sturdy left-hander looks more like a Hall of Famer — 'Tis the season of “Upon further review,” and high time I use the available mulligan. I should have supported the Hall of Fame candidacy of Jim Kaat.
Discussion:
Hardball Times and Mike Silva's …
Fox Sports:
Pujols, Fielder top free-agent market — Beginning next Monday in Dallas, the baseball industry will swarm about the Hilton Anatole in Dallas for four frenetic days. Every text message, phone call and footstep by the high-powered agents and executives will nudge the sport a little closer to spring training.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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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