Top News:
ESPN:
Source: Pettitte to Yankees with one-year, $16M deal — Many thought Andy Pettitte should have never left New York. It looks like that issue has been rectified. — The left-hander and the Yankees have reached an agreement on a one-year deal that will pay him $16 million in 2007 …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Replacement Level …, Off the Facade, Pinstripe Alley, Baseball Musings, WasWatching.com, Bronx Banter and Hot Foot
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R.B. Fallstrom / Associated Press:
Springer agrees to contract with Cardinals — ST. LOUIS (AP) — Reliever Russ Springer and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed Friday to a $1.75 million, one-year contract on Friday, a day after the World Series champions returned from the winter meetings without making any deals.
New York Times:
Back to Start, Pettitte Is a Yankee Again — Andy Pettitte was scheduled to leave with his father, Tom, tomorrow for a long-awaited deer-hunting trip in South Texas. It was supposed to be a week for the Pettittes to relax before Christmas, a chance for a father and a son to bond.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
George King / New York Post:
LIFTOFF DELAYED — TRADE COLLAPSE KEEPS ASTROS IN PETTITTE RACE — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - At 10 o'clock yesterday, the Astros believed they made a move that would have forced Andy Pettitte out of Houston. Less than an hour later, a deal that would have sent right-hander Jon Garland …
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
O's deem Payton right for left … The Orioles' monthlong quest to acquire a starting left fielder has apparently come to an end. According to an industry source, the Orioles have reached a verbal agreement on a two-year deal with Oakland Athletics free agent Jay Payton, who will become the team's only right-handed-hitting outfielder.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Tim Marchman / New York Sun:
Haren's Ideal for Mets, but A's Are Smart Enough To Know This — It's been a quiet off-season for the Mets so far, which is an entirely good thing in a ridiculously overheated market. Aside from bringing back a few useful veterans and signing Moises Alou to the Cliff Floyd memorial roster spot …
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves ecstatic to land Soriano — Braves officials worked untold hours on the phone before and during baseball's winter meetings, then made just one trade at the four-day event. — They said it was worth the effort, and their beaming smiles emphasized the sentiment.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves interested in Baldelli — Atlanta shopping prospects to Tampa Bay for outfielder — ATLANTA — While confirming the club's interest in obtaining Rocco Baldelli from the Devil Rays, a Braves source has provided indication that they are willing to provide some top prospects to complete this transaction.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
The Rumors Just Keep On Coming — As we close up the Winter Meetings Mill, there's still some unfinished business that teams leave Orlando with. Lots of free agents remain to be signed, and the trade discussions that started here will be finished later. No team completed its winter makeover …
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers, Inge agree to four-year extension — First long-term deal with young core to be set next week — The Tigers are expected to announce a four-year, $24 million contract with third baseman Brandon Inge, the first member of Detroit's core of younger players to be inked to a long-term deal, next week.
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Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Royals ink Bale; Dotel reportedly next — Lefty has pitched in Japan last three years; righty to be closer — KANSAS CITY — The Royals appeared poised to announce the signing of Octavio Dotel to be their closer after adding reliever John Bale to the pitching staff.
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Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
GM has earned some benefit of doubt — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — There is no middle ground with Ken Williams' latest trade. — It's like the movie ''Fight Club'': You get it or you don't get it. You see the quick flashes of Tyler Durden in the first 30 minutes or you don't.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats tab three in Rule 5 Draft — Club loses nine players in Major and Minor League phases — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Nationals selected catcher Jesus Flores and right-hander Levale Speigner in the Major League phase of Thursday's 2006 Rule 5 Draft, while taking left-hander Justin Jones in the Triple-A phase.
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Sports Illustrated:
Former Giants shortstop Jose Uribe dies in car crash in native Dominican Republic — SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -Former San Francisco Giants shortstop Jose Uribe was killed early Friday in a car crash in his native Dominican Republic. — The Dominican National Police said the 47 …
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Springer agrees to one-year deal — Cardinals add veteran righty reliever in order to fortify bullpen — ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals closed a deal to add to their bullpen depth on Friday, adding free-agent right-hander Russ Springer. The 38-year-old signed a one-year deal worth a reported $1.75 million.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Colletti feels new Dodgers fit in perfectly — Gonzalez, Schmidt both possess much playoff experience — LOS ANGELES — There's not much mystery to the type of players Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti acquires. — They are usually veterans, usually with postseason experience, mostly including the World Series.
