Top News:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Henry makes a pitch — Matsuzaka talks frustrating owner — The gloves came off yesterday in the Red Sox ' efforts to sign Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is facing a Thursday midnight deadline in striking a deal with the Sox, or his rights revert back to his Japanese team, the Seibu Lions.
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ESPN:
Boras says Matsuzaka worth $100 million — NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Scott Boras, the agent for Daisuke Matsuzaka said his client "is worth well in excess of $100 million." The Boston Red Sox may not agree, but they said on Monday night that they were prepared to increase their offer to the pitcher.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Matsuzaka deal will get done — The perception is that Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka has no leverage in his negotiations with the Red Sox. — Agent Scott Boras would beg to differ. — The other perception is that the Red Sox can walk away from Matsuzaka, sign free-agent right-hander Roger Clemens and live happily after.
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:Sox trying to make a deal: Brass in LA; Henry rips Boras' tactics
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Mike DiGiovanna / Associated Press:
Angels agree to deal with reliever Oliver — The Angels, refusing to abandon the concept of a left-hander in the bullpen, signed veteran reliever Darren Oliver to a one-year, $1.5-million contract with a $2-million vesting option for 2008. — After going most of 2004 and 2005 without …
Discussion:
Halo Herald
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George King / New York Post:
YANKS, BOSOX GUN FOR BUC — Is there anything the Red Sox and Yankees won't fight over? Now it's Pirates lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez. — While the Red Sox are engaged in the high stakes Daisuke Matsuzaka negotiations that have to be completed by midnight Thursday …
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers, Gagne agree to deal — Former All-Star reliever to join Texas pending physical — ARLINGTON — The Rangers have agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract with reliever Eric Gagne. The agreement is pending a physical but the Rangers have already checked out his medical reports and are satisfied that he is healthy again.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Rangers, Gagne close on one-year deal — One day after reportedly making an offer to left-hander Barry Zito, the Rangers are close to signing another Scott Boras client, free-agent closer Eric Gagne, to a one-year contract, FOXSports.com has learned. — The deal, which likely is pending a physical …
Michael Morrissey / New York Post:
METS LUKEWARM ON ZITO & MULDER — The Rangers reportedly anted up for Barry Zito yesterday, though the numbers were not disclosed. But if they ultimately offered six years and around $100 million - an ever-popular prediction - then he will play in Arlington. — At least, that's the conclusion the Mets are bracing for.
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Zambrano making pen pitch — Victor Zambrano's agent expects the pitcher will return to the Mets for the 2007 season, and indicated that the righthander has even offered to pitch in relief so he can be back on a major league mound sooner. — The Mets must offer Zambrano a contract of at least $2.4 million …
Associated Press:
Reports: Batista to sign 3-year contract with Mariners — SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners have reached a preliminary agreement with veteran free agent right-hander Miguel Batista on a three-year contract worth $24 million, according to newspaper reports published Tuesday.
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Geoff Baker / Seattle Times:M's agree to terms with starting pitcher Miguel Batista
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Iwamura's agent is still playing hardball … ST. PETERSBURG - With only five negotiating days until Friday's midnight deadline, Japanese infielder Akinori Iwamura and the Devil Rays remain far apart. — There are significant differences in terms of money and contract structure, as well as philosophy.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Suppan feels unloved — A month and a half after winning it all, the Cardinals have found themselves merely finalists for four free-agent starting pitchers whom they targeted, and now they may no longer be in the running for one of their own. — The Cardinals were told over the weekend …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Is Cordero on the move? — Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers Nationals fans' questions … I'm a big Chad Cordero fan, and I've been startled to hear his name bandied about in recent trade rumors. I really hope it doesn't happen. Is there any chance it will? — Aaron, Washington, D.C.
Heather Gripp / L.A. Daily News:
Comeback road — Former Montclair Prep star Ortiz goes to Puerto Rico to revive MLB career — Russ Ortiz would rather be back home in Arizona with his wife and the twoyoung daughters he hasn't seen nearly enough this year. Instead, he is spending the winter in Puerto Rico searching …
