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
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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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
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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WTVD-TV
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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 …
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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Contra Costa Times:Payton agrees to go from A's to O's for $9.5 million
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:Another Mazzilli Move From the Bronx to Queens
Discussion:
MLB.com
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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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:
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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Jack Etkin / Rocky Mountain News:
Fogg, Torrealba wait for call by Rockies — Pitcher Josh Fogg and catcher Yorvit Torrealba will learn today whether they fit in the Rockies' plans for 2007 or will become part of the club's history after one season in Denver. — The Rockies must tender contracts to both players by 3 p.m. Otherwise …
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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 …
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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 …
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 …
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.
