Top News:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Valentine on his way to recruit Ortiz — CAP CANA, Dominican Republic — Bobby Valentine is wasting no time trying to improve the Red Sox. — Installed as manager yesterday, Valentine is on his way to the Dominican Republic now to meet with David Ortiz and participate in his charity golf event tomorrow.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and NESN.com
RELATED:
ESPN:
Reports: Bobby V in Dominican to recruit Ortiz — It looks as if Bobby Valentine's first act as manager of the Boston Red Sox is to recruit free-agent designated hitter David Ortiz. — According to multiple reports, Valentine headed to the Dominican Republic to meet with Ortiz …
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Yankees GM Brian Cashman challenges Bobby Valentine to join him next year for his now annual rappelling adventure — Cashman: 'I don't like seeing Bobby Valentine in that dugout' — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman takes a practice run down the 22-story Landmark Building in Stamford on Friday morning.
Discussion:
Full Count and Surviving Grady
Michael Hurley / NESN.com:
Bobby Valentine Plans Blending Sabermetrics With Baseball Experience to Make Decisions With Red Sox
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Boston Globe, Dan Shaughnessy Watch and THE BOOK
Fox Sports:
Marlins pursuit of Buehrle hits snag — The biggest obstacle to Mark Buehrle joining the Marlins is the team's reluctance to give him a no-trade clause, according to major-league sources. — The Marlins are targeting a left-handed starter on a free-agent market, and the holdup in their talks …
Discussion:
Fish Tank blog and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Marlins Eyeing Aramis, Pursuing Reyes, Buehrle — The Marlins have discussed the possibility of signing Prince Fielder and some of their front office executives like the idea of pursuing the 27-year-old free agent, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Fish Stripes
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Sources: Marlins pursuing Heath Bell
Discussion:
ESPN.com, The Good Phight, MLB Daily Dish, Eye on Baseball, MLB Rumors, CloserNews and Drunk Jays Fans
MiamiHerald.com:
Feds open SEC probe into Miami Marlins stadium deal — The U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission has subpoenaed records from Miami-Dade County and Miami over the deal to build a new ballpark for the Marlins. — CRABIN@MIAMIHERALD.COM — Federal authorities have opened a wide-ranging investigation …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Bats, MLB Daily Dish and SI Tracking Blog
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies' Stewart on trade block, but DeWitt not right fit — It has been said about Colorado weather, if you don't like it, wait 15 minutes. The same applies to baseball's hot stove. Trade talks, to the say the least, are fluid situations. — While the Rockies have explored trading …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies are interested in Cubs infielder Blake DeWitt
Discussion:
Hardball in the Rockies, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Bosio says he is new pitching coach for Cubs — Ex-Crew righty leaving Milwaukee organization to join Sveum — MILWAUKEE — New Cubs manager Dale Sveum is stocking his coaching staff with a slew of former Brewers, including his new pitching coach. — The latest is Chris Bosio …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Sean Brennan / NY Daily News:
Former NY Mets GM Omar Minaya hired by San Diego Padres for undisclosed front office position — Minaya was canned by Mets after 2010 season — Omar Minaya, fired by the NY Mets after 2010 season, is back in baseball with the Padres. — A year after seeing his five-year stint …
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Crasnick: Highly touted Cuban outfielder available for the taking — Cuban free-agent outfielder could command in the neighborhood of a $50 million deal — Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has yet to play a game in the major leagues, and some scouts are already comparing him to former Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star Raul Mondesi.
Discussion:
Detroit News, MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Bats and Tiger Tales
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Brewers Looking For Bullpen, Infield Help — The Brewers stand to lose both Takashi Saito and Francisco Rodriguez to free agency this winter, and GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel that he plans to talk to agents and look for bullpen help at the Winter Meetings next week (all Twitter links).
