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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 …
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George King / New York Post:
YANKEES SEEKING GLOVE AT FIRST — With Andy Pettitte joining fellow ground-ball specialist Chien-Ming Wang, the Yankees have shown an interest in slick-fielding first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. — Even though Mientkiewicz is a left-handed hitter and the Yankees are seeking a right-handed bat at first …
NY Daily News:
Good get, but it won't get Yanks over the top — Who wouldn't want Andy Pettitte back at the Stadium? The guy is a solid citizen, a 200-inning workhorse, a proven clutch performer, a lefty who can strike out anyone with a cutter that works all corners of the plate.
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.
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Pettitte agrees to deal with Yanks — Left-hander returns to Bronx after three seasons with Astros — NEW YORK — A familiar face is on his way back to the Bronx. — Andy Pettitte and the Yankees reached a one-year, $16 million agreement on Friday, adding the left-hander to New York's rotation for 2007.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Springer signs a one-year deal — THE ACQUISITION: Russ Springer signs a one-year, $1.75 million contract. — THE RETURN: He's back after an injury-marred 2003 season here. — HIS ROLE: He helps stock a bullpen that may well be used as leverage for trade.
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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.
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.
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
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.
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MLB Trade Rumors
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:Braves ecstatic to land Soriano
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MetsBlog.com
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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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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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Sanchez worth the risk for Marlins — Desperate for an affordable but experienced center fielder, the Marlins are taking a chance on the first player disciplined in 2005 under baseball's toughened steroids rules. — Alex Sanchez, a career .297 hitter with speed but questionable defense …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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 …
Dave / U.S.S. Mariner:
Antonetti in '08 — You may have noticed over on the left sidebar that there's an image that looks an awful lot like a political button. In a sense, it is a political button, though for an election that isn't run by democracy. Due to the way the offseason is unfolding …
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Houston eyeing Jennings — With Pettitte back in N.Y., Astros need starters — Three years after staging his escape from New York, Andy Pettitte returned to the Yankees on Friday. His decision to sign a new one-year deal with his old team could have repercussions in Colorado.
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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Adam Rubin / NY Mets Blog:
Suspension Will Cost Mota $500k — Associated PressGuillermo Mota won't collect the entire $5 million of his new two-year contract with the Mets, though the organization did do him a favor by structuring it so that he earns $1.8 million in 2007 and $3.2 million in 2008.
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