Top News:
Gordon Edes / Extra Bases:
Dice-K en route — The Red Sox contingent in Southern California is flying back to Boston with pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka and his agent, Scott Boras, on board. — "You can assume that a deal is done or close," said one source with direct knowledge of the talks.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
RELATED:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
No progress on Matsuzaka — Latest negotiating session lasts only 40 minutes — As day turned into evening in Southern California yesterday, a source with a direct pipeline to the Daisuke Matsuzaka negotiations reported "no progress" in the Red Sox' attempts to sign the Japanese pitcher …
ESPN:
Red Sox, Matsuzaka headed to Boston — BOSTON — Daisuke Matsuzaka headed to Boston on Wednesday with Red Sox officials, a sign Boston had reached a preliminary contract agreement with the star pitcher. — "They all took off together," Red Sox owner John Henry said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
Michael Silverman / Clubhouse Insider:
Matsuzaka wants $11M per year; Sox offering $8M — COSTA MESA, Calif. — Pessimism from both sides of these Daisuke Matsuzaka talks rules the day, or early morning, but talks are not dead and the deadline is still not until Thursday (in case you hadn't heard).
Boston Herald:
Sox want D-Mat's answer — NEWPORT BEACH, Calif - The Red Sox [team stats] made it clear last night to Japanese star pitcher Daisuke Matzusaka and his agent Scott Boras that if Matsuzaka is not on owner John Henry's private jet today when it leaves Southern California, there is no chance of a deal getting done, according to a source.
Bob Ryan / Boston Globe:
Team had to know how game is played — The hours are dwindling to a precious few, and Daisuke Matsuzaka remains unsigned. If midnight Thursday comes and he remains so, we can then indulge in one of modern America's favorite rituals: The Blame Game. — There's nothing new about The Blame Game.
Jeff Blair / globesports.com:
Jays offer Wells monster contract — Toronto — The Toronto Blue Jays have made a formal contract offer to Vernon Wells that would put the centre fielder comfortably among the top-10 highest-paid players in the major leagues and likely exceed the average annual value of the free-agent deal …
RELATED:
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers relieved: Gagne on way — ARLINGTON - The Rangers have agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $6 million with reliever Eric Gagne pending a physical, a source familiar with the negotiations confirmed Tuesday. The contract includes incentives up to $5 million.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
RELATED:
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Rangers look like a winner to Lofton — ARLINGTON — The Rangers lost their center fielder and leadoff hitter when Gary Matthews Jr. signed with the Los Angeles Angels last month. They found a new center fielder and leadoff hitter when they signed Kenny Lofton to a one-year, $6 million contract Tuesday.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates retain rights to Chacon, Cota — Also claim reliever Osoria off waivers from L.A. — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates have tendered contracts to all eight of their arbitration-eligible players, including starter Shawn Chacon and catcher Humberto Cota, each thought to be on the bubble.
Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Marcus Giles intrigues Mets — The Braves' decision to not offer Marcus Giles a contract by Tuesday night's midnight deadline and make him a free agent opened a potentially intriguing door for the Mets. — Jose Valentin already is signed for $3.8 million next year, but the Mets still appear …
RELATED:
Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Hot Stove: Some non-tender surprises — Braves' Giles among recognizable names now free agents — The non-tender deadline came eight days early this year, thanks to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, and it also came with a few mild surprises as Marcus Giles, Chris Reitsma …
RELATED:
Hartford Courant:
Masse In Jays Organization — For Bill Masse, life after the Yankees will begin in New Hampshire. — "I had 13 great years with the Yankees," said Masse, who parted ways with them after the season. "But I've moved on to greener pastures." — On Tuesday, the Toronto Blue Jays hired Masse …
Discussion:
Off the Facade
RELATED:
Scott Miller / CBS SportsLine.com:Pettitte's return to Bronx blessing in disguise for 'Stros
Discussion:
Fox Sports
Jeff Sackmann / Hardball Times:
Issues of National Concern — In the midst of the annual free agent frenzy, there are always a few teams that don't get involved. This year is no different. As of press time, there are only three teams that haven't signed a player to a major league contract or made a trade for a major league player …
RELATED:
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers make room on roster for Mesa — Gomez non-tendered, but could return for Minor League pact — DETROIT — Alexis Gomez became an unlikely Tigers hero in the playoffs after being taken off the roster twice during the regular season. On Tuesday, he made room for a third time this year.
Todd Zolecki / Centre Daily Times:
Phils adjust to hitter-friendly home — A small park is "part of the game," veteran hurler Jamie Moyer says. "You deal with it." — Jamie Moyer said it couldn't have mattered less. — Citizens Bank Park is a notorious hitters' park. Hitters beam in batting practice while pitchers make comparisons to Little League fields.
