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.
RELATED:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Sox trying to make a deal: Brass in LA; Henry rips Boras' tactics — Frustrated by the pace and style of the negotiations with Daisuke Matsuzaka, the Red Sox [team stats] entered attack mode by flying their top two executives to southern California for face-to-face negotiations last night.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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.
Gordon Edes / Extra Bases:
High noon has arrived — So now, it comes down to this ... if Daisuke Matsuzaka is on John Henry's plane tomorrow, the Sox have a deal. If he isn't, it's over, and he's going back to Japan. — Sox sources say that the offer Theo Epstein and Larry Lucchino intend to present agent Scott Boras is a boatload of money.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Boras demands way out of line — When Scott Boras negotiated Alex Rodriguez's $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers, you could feel your mouth drop and wonder about the sanity of baseball. But at the end of the day, you at least could reason that, at the time, A-Rod was the best player in the game.
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 …
RELATED:
Baseball America:
Yankees Close On Cuban Defector — The Yankees had an active summer on the international front, and that aggressiveness hasn't stopped, even though the organization currently does not have a director of international scouting. — Mark Newman, the Yankees' senior vice president for baseball operations,
Discussion:
Pending Pinstripes
Contra Costa Times:
Payton agrees to go from A's to O's for $9.5 million — Free agent Jay Payton agreed Monday to a $9.5 million, two-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles, who have spent much of the offseason searching for a right-handed hitting outfielder. — Payton batted .296 with 10 homers and 59 RBI in 142 games with the A's this year.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
RELATED:
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Cirillo likely to join Twins — Decision to leave Brewers came down to playing time — MILWAUKEE — Jeff Cirillo's heart may stay in Milwaukee, but he is poised to take his bat to Minnesota. — One of the Brewers' most popular players and the franchise's career batting average leader …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Yanks promote Mattingly to bench coach … NEW YORK — The New York Yankees finalized their coaching staff for the 2007 season on Monday, promoting Don Mattingly to bench coach and naming Kevin Long hitting coach. — One of the most popular players in franchise history …
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
RELATED:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Maz is back with Mets as broadcaster — Former player, manager will be SNY's lead studio analyst — NEW YORK — Lee Mazzilli, once the Mets' centerfold center fielder and the face of the organization, is now one of the voices for SportsNet New York, the Mets' television home.
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Rays to seek bargains in new batch — ST. PETERSBURG - Soaring salaries made the initial round of free agency too expensive for the Devil Rays. Now they are curious to explore the market for a new group of players who become free agents if not offered contracts by tonight's deadline.
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.
Andrew Baggarly / Contra Costa Times:
Giants' Sabean goes on offensive — General manager fires back at his critics, says he won't apologize for pricey re-signing of Bonds — SAN FRANCISCO - The Giants are getting pummeled over re-signing Barry Bonds to a one-year contract that could be worth close to $20 million.
Geoff Baker / Seattle Times:
M's agree to terms with starting pitcher Miguel Batista — The newest starting pitcher to join the Mariners doesn't want anyone pointing out how old he is. — Right-hander Miguel Batista knows there will be skeptics noting he'll turn 36 before the season begins.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Angels sign Oliver to one-year deal — LOS ANGELES (AP) - Reliever Darren Oliver and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a one-year contract worth US$1.75 million Monday with a club option for a second season. — Oliver appeared in 45 games for the New York Mets last season, going 4-1 with a 3.44 earned-run average.
RELATED:
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers sign Mesa to one-year deal — Righty adds veteran presence to otherwise young bullpen — DETROIT — While the Tigers' focus in the Winter Meetings was on finding a left-hander for the bullpen, team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski cautioned that they could also add a right-hander for certain situations.
