Top News:
Cash Kruth / MLB.com:
Pedro plans to officially announce retirement — Right-hander last pitched in Major Leagues in 2009 campaign — Pedro Martinez, who put together one of the best four-year stretches as a starter in Major League history, has told MLB.com he's soon planning to officially announce his official retirement.
Discussion:
NESN.com, Mets Merized Online, MetsBlog.com, Boston Globe, MLB Rumors and SI Tracking Blog
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Fox Sports:
Report: Martinez to announce retirement — Three-time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez, who last played in the majors in 2009 with the Phillies, is planning to officially announce his retirement. — In an interview with MLB.com, the 40-year-old right-hander said while he still had an urge to play …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Fox Sports:
Darvish needs to act ‘post’ haste — Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish can't wait much longer if he wants to pitch in the majors next season. — Darvish, 25, is likely to be posted after the winter meetings, two sources with knowledge of his situation told me on Saturday.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and Lone Star Ball
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Fox Sports:
Japanese ace likely to be on market — The long-awaited availability of Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish to major league clubs still is not assured. But the prospect is more tangible than ever before. — Darvish, 25, is likely to be posted after the winter meetings, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, NESN.com and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Damon says pinstripes would suit Ortiz — CAP CANA, Dominican Republic - Johnny Damon was hardly the best golfer on the course for the David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Classic yesterday, but he was clearly the best dressed. — The free agent outfielder had on electric blue pants held up by a skull-and-bones belt buckle.
Discussion:
Clubhouse Insider
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Yahoo! Sports:
Cano, Damon tell Ortiz to join Yankees
Discussion:
SI Tracking Blog and NY Daily News
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Former NY Mets Nolan Ryan, Bud Harrelson and Ed Kranepool lobby for Gil Hodges for the Hall of Fame — Hodges, beloved Dodger, Met on ‘Golden Era’ Hall ballot — In 1969 Gil Hodges pulls a rabbit out of his hat in leading the Mets to their first World Series...
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
Reyes, ‘pen are Mets’ Meetings priorities — Mets on Twitter — Sandy Alderson's big haul last year at his first Winter Meetings as Mets general manager consisted of D.J. Carrasco, Ronny Paulino, Pedro Beato and Brad Emaus. — Dare it be suggested Alderson's fortunes can only improve this time?
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
New York Post:
Yankees aim to trim payroll by 2014 to escape luxury penalties — The Yankees are not going after C.J. Wilson or Mark Buehrle because they do not like the costs especially in 2014. — To understand the Yankees' current thinking, you must understand that no team stands to lose or gain …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Mike Silva's …
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Bucs could use Meetings to prep for later moves — PITTSBURGH — Though the Pirates' offseason work is clearly not done, the organization did jump-start its plans for the 2012 season with a pair of aggressive, early moves. — The signings of catcher Rod Barajas and shortstop Clint Barmes leave …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Parade of possibilities at the winter meetings — You can shop for the groceries anytime, anywhere, really, but there is no place like the winter meetings, which begin tomorrow in Dallas with plenty of shopping options under one roof. — Some winter meetings are more productive than others …
Discussion:
Purple Row
D.J. Short / HardballTalk:
Report: Angels to trade Jeff Mathis to Blue Jays for Brad Mills — Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Angels are on the verge of trading catcher Jeff Mathis to the Blue Jays for left-hander Brad Mills. — The Angels acquired Chris Iannetta from the Rockies earlier this week …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, Lookout Landing, Halos Heaven, Batter's Box Interactive … and Yahoo! Sports
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Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Angels, Blue Jays Swap Jeff Mathis For Brad Mills
Discussion:
Region settings, Baseball Nation and Drunk Jays Fans
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
SEC targets Marlins' shady business — For two decades now, Major League Baseball has funded its rise from corporate slacker to gilded cash cow on the backs of taxpayers bullied into building new stadiums. It's a marvel the government took so long to sniff out the rot that emanates from these deals …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Rays Index, MLB.com, Marlin Maniac, Fish Tank blog and MiamiHerald.com
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