Top News:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Astros decided to let Pettitte walk over $2 million … What just happened here? — How did the Astros lose Andy Pettitte to the Yankees over a measly couple of million bucks? — Before Pettitte accepted the Yankees' offer, sources familiar with the negotiations told me he gave the Astros …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
MacDougal, Sox a team through '09 — Trade with Astros could be resurrected — The White Sox gained more financial certainty Friday when they signed late-inning reliever Mike MacDougal to a three-year, $6.45 million contract. — MacDougal, 29, becomes the fourth Sox player under contract through 2009.
Joe Stinebaker / Associated Press:
Pettitte says he left Astros for Yankees because of their desire — HOUSTON (AP) — Andy Pettitte says he moved from Houston back to New York because the Yankees put on a "full-court press" and the Astros showed signs they were ready to move on without him.
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 …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Andy is back in pinstripes — Will Rocket follow suit? — Last month, Andy Pettitte stood in front of a group of reporters at Joe Torre's charity dinner and talked about how difficult his latest career decision would be. To pitch or not to pitch, Pettitte wondered …
Discussion:
Off the Facade
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.
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.
George King / New York Post:PETTITTE BACK IN PINSTRIPES — LEFTY A YANK AGAIN; MAYBE ROCKET, TOO
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs, Marquis reportedly agree to deal — Right-hander was 14-16 with a 6.02 ERA, 96 strikeouts in 2006 — CHICAGO — The Cubs may have landed another starting pitcher in Jason Marquis. — According to multiple reports, Marquis has accepted a three-year offer from the Cubs.
Discussion:
GROTA, A Cub Fan's Obsession, Pinstripe Alley, The View From The Bleachers and Go Crazy, Folks!
Rick Gano / Associated Press:
Marquis likely to join Cubs — CHICAGO (AP) — Pitcher Jason Marquis is likely to become the latest acquisition in the Chicago Cubs' offseason spending spree. — Marquis and the Cubs are negotiating a three-year contract, a person with knowledge of the talks said Saturday …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
ESPN:
Cubs to bring in Marquis to shore up starting rotation — The Chicago Cubs aren't done spending money just yet. Free-agent pitcher Jason Marquis has signed a three-year deal with the team, according to multiple reports. — The St. Louis Post Dispatch first reported the deal late Friday as being worth $28 million.
Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers may seek tampering probe — Team has 'looked into' the possibility of asking MLB to investigate whether Red Sox, Boras discussed Drew before outfielder opted out. — The Dodgers are leaving open the possibility of asking Major League Baseball to investigate whether …
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Bruce Jenkins / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants: no plan, no pride — and no chance — The Giants' season is over, a lost cause before it begins. For that you can thank Peter Magowan, chief executive Larry Baer and general manager Brian Sabean. If any of those men want to acknowledge their resistance to the Barry Bonds signing, stand up and be counted right now.
Discussion:
Purple Row
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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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Larry Lage / Associated Press:Inge agrees to $24 million, 4-year deal with AL champion Tigers
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Sanchez worth 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 …
MLB.com:
Royals sign Dotel to one-year deal — KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Royals announced today the signing of reliever Octavio Dotel to a one-year contract for the 2007 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. — "The back end of our bullpen was a major emphasis this off season …
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.
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