Top News:
ESPN:
Dealings would need 'abrupt change' to beat deadline — After all the hoopla surrounding the $51.1 million bid the Red Sox posted to talk to Daisuke Matsuzaka, it appears a contract may not materialize. — Negotiations between the team and the Japanese star pitcher have nearly broken down, the Boston Herald reported Sunday.
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Tumblin' Dice: Sox' talks with Matsuzaka break down — Negotiations between the Red Sox [team stats] and Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka have essentially broken down, a source familiar with the talks said late last night, adding that unless there is an abrupt change of course …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, WasWatching.com, The Feeding the Monster Blog and MLB Trade Rumors
Peter Gammons / ESPN:
Lure of Yankees draws Pettitte in; Red Sox have issues — Of course it helps to have the Yankees' revenues to take on Bobby Abreu's $15 million salary when the Phillies want him out of town and pay Andy Pettitte $16 million off a 14-13, 4.20 ERA season. — Though Yankee Stadium …
Thayer Evans / New York Times:
Family Supports Pettitte's Return to Yankees — After the veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte and the Houston Astros reached the World Series in 2005, he figured he would pitch only one more year because he did not expect his arm to hold up. — When Pettitte, 34, became a free agent …
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:Bosox seem like good landing spot, but their full rotation …
Discussion:
Dallas Star-Telegram
Bill Plaschke / Los Angeles Times:
With power low, Colletti must work the phones — "Can you hear me?" — Yes. — "CAN YOU HEAR ME?" — Um, yes, I can hear you. — "Oh, oh, OK," Ned Colletti says. "Just walked out of the store with this new cellphone. I have no idea how it works." — A new cellphone?
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Murray Chass / New York Times:
Week in Review: Few Trades but Feverish Spending — Commissioner Bud Selig might regret hailing this as "the golden age of baseball." He has said it so often that he has convinced his constituents, the clubs. He has done such a good job of convincing them that they have started a gold rush …
Discussion:
The Feeding the Monster Blog
NY Daily News:
Winter of 'roids — Juice abusers end up being big winners at this year's meetings — One can only imagine the sick feeling that overcame Bud Selig as he monitored the winter meetings in Disney World, where old-fashioned trades were eschewed by clubs in favor of spending silly money on mediocre pitching.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Jennings mum as trade talks swirl — His loyalty and negotiating tactics questioned by Rockies owner Charlie Monfort, Jason Jennings chose Saturday to suppress his anger, even as a trade grew more likely. — "It's just best right now if my only quote is 'no comment,"' said Jennings, a free agent at season's end.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Rocky Mountain News:
Krieger: From Monfort's perspective, it's time for Rockies to shine — Charlie Monfort has absorbed a few shots since taking over from Jerry McMorris as principal owner of the Rockies. — He mentions Duane Bobick. I mention the late Jerry Quarry. — "Don't compare me to Quarry," he pleads.
JSOnline:
Brewers continue to field questions about 2007 squad — As the Milwaukee Brewers slowly unveil their seemingly convoluted and somewhat risky plan to field a team for the 2007 season, two questions are asked most often by skeptical, anxious fans: — 1. If you have a shortstop who hit 35 home runs …
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Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
Fearing Inflation at the Same Time as Fueling It — Two winters ago, after the Dodgers signed the oft-injured outfielder J. D. Drew to a five-year contract worth $55 million, the Los Angeles news media roasted the club's general manager, Paul DePodesta, alongside his order of magic beans.
NY Daily News:
A vote for Mac, truth — Send him to Cooperstown, just don't forget juicy tidbits — The Hall of Fame ballot is in the mail, and I voted for Mark McGwire. — This was no easy decision, and I understand those who would leave him off. There are many reasons to do so …
Discussion:
Sports Frog
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Even barrel bottom has Rays priced out … The biggest thing that came out of four days of marathon talks and minimal action at the winter meetings may have been this: — It's going to be hard for the Devil Rays to get better. — Signing any free agents, even lower-tier veterans, is going to be more difficult than they hoped.
Discussion:
DRays Bay
Kevin Baxter / Miami Herald:
Expanding their reach statewide — The Devil Rays are trying to grab a larger share of the Florida market, with plans for moving a series against the Rangers to Orlando. — kbaxter@MiamiHerald.com — LAKE BUENA VISTA - Florida ultimately might prove big enough to support more than one major-league franchise.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
