Top News:
Associated Press:
Mets sign reliever Mota, still seeking big-name starter — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya left the winter meetings Thursday still looking for a starting pitcher, and he had no immediate plans to bring Barry Zito to the Big Apple for a recruiting visit.
RELATED:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets' General Manager Leaves Florida Happy — ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 7 For some reason, the e-mail service on Omar Minaya's Blackberry does not work in the Dominican Republic, so he will be forced to communicate the old-fashioned way over the next five days.
Discussion:
It's Outta Here!
David Lennon / Newsday:
Omar arm's length away from deals — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The lobby of Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort was relatively empty on the final day of baseball's winter meetings. The last event was the RuleV draft yesterday morning, and it didn't take long for team officials …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Lots of chatter, no sign for Rangers — Club leaves winter meetings without acquiring a top name — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Rangers talked an awful lot with agents for Barry Zito, Jay Payton and Kenny Lofton at the winter meetings. They talked to every club in the big leagues about potential pitching trades.
Chicago Tribune:
Winter meeting whispers — While the Jon Garland-to-Astros trade could be revived, there was relief on both sides when it fell through Thursday morning. The White Sox seemed pleased for the time to reassess their options, and the Astros were hopeful the threat of Garland filling his spot …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:Rockies' options are stand pat or deal
Discussion:
Dan Agonistes
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Case Closed: Bonds re-signs with Giants — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Cardinals insisted Thursday they weren't Barry Bonds' "mystery team." — But for a short while during this week's winter meetings, they were a mildly intrigued team before the slugger wound up re-signing with the San Francisco Giants late Thursday.
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Payroll is lower, but key deals still linger — White Sox general manager Ken Williams has kept the club ahead of the financial curve, but important decisions are ahead. — Trading right-hander Freddy Garcia to Philadelphia has lowered the Sox's 2007 player payroll obligations to about $84 million for 14 players.
RELATED:
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Talk of Misconduct Is Swirling Around Red Sox — The Boston Red Sox might think of the Yankees as the Evil Empire, but other people in baseball now seem to view the Red Sox as a team that feels it can operate outside the rules. — According to executives of several clubs …
Discussion:
The Feeding the Monster Blog, Extra Bases, The GYS Network, Bronx Banter, WasWatching.com, 6-4-2 and Yanksfan vs Soxfan
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Ohka offered Major League contract — Right-hander will begin second stint with club if he agrees — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Nationals have offered free agent Tomo Ohka a Major League contract, MLB.com has learned. If he agrees to the deal, Ohka will begin his second stint with the organization.
RELATED:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:No Major Moves, Two Minor Ones
Discussion:
MLB.com, Nationals Farm Authority, District of Baseball, William F. Yurasko and Ben Maller's Sports …
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Rule 5 yields Labandeira, 2 other picks — Infielder was suspended for amphetamines — · The Marlins opted to spare somebody the burden of living up to Dan Uggla's Rule 5 legacy. — Thursday's Winter Meetings-culminating Rule 5 Draft was over in less than 40 minutes and did not feature …
Discussion:
FishStripes
RELATED:
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:No deals, but Marlins believe progress was made
Discussion:
FishStripes
Joe Posnanski / Kansas City Star:
Sometimes, madness is appropriate — Yes, at first glance, it seems a little — what's the word here? — let us say "surprising" that the Royals gave pitcher Gil Meche a five-year, $55 million deal. However, upon closer inspection, it seems clear that ... OK, whoa, whoa, let's slow down a little bit.
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
RELATED:
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:Royals appear close to one-year deal with Dotel
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Mike Forde / Inside The Winter Meetings:
Leyritz thinking comeback — ORLANDO — The King wants back in. — With his MLB radio job calling for more time away from his Florida home Jim Leyritz is looking to make a comeback. — "Some (teams) have asked me about playing,'' said the 42-year-old Leyritz, who last played …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Sports Illustrated:
Cashman to A-Rod: 'We love you' — GM meets with slugger's agent to express support — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sent a strong message to Alex Rodriguez in a long dinner meeting Wednesday night with agent Scott Boras: "We love you, and you're not going anywhere.''
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Villone declines Yanks' arbitration offer — Reliever wants to play in New York, but keeping options open — NEW YORK — Ron Villone declined the Yankees' arbitration offer Thursday, leaving the left-hander available on the free-agent market. — Villone, who returned Thursday from a 12 …
