Top News:
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 …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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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.
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).
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Kapler opts for retirement — Retirement at age 31? Of course, Gabe Kapler said, he expects he'll feel the urge to play when he shows up in Fort Myers next spring. — "I think the likelihood will be there for several years to come, when I say to myself, 'I can still be playing baseball,' " Kapler said.
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 …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets to Zambrano: 'Z' you later — Victor Zambrano's tenure with the Mets may be over. A Mets official said the club intended to let last night's midnight deadline pass without offering Zambrano a contract, making him a free agent. — The Mets did agree to a one-year …
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 …
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 …
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Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Wells done? — The Toronto Blue Jays have one of those adult decisions to make, 2½ months after finishing 10 games behind the New York Yankees and a game ahead of the Boston Red Sox in the AL East. — Its name is Vernon Wells. — He is the signature position player for an organization that …
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
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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
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats Hire Herr, Shuffle Minor League Staff — The Washington Nationals announced adjustments to their minor league staff yesterday, adding former major league second baseman Tom Herr as the manager of their new Class A affiliate in Hagerstown and shuffling many of the other managerial assignments.
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Howard Ulman / Associated Press:Kapler retires to become minor league manager
Discussion:
The Griddle
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Houston deals for Colorado's Jennings — The Astros have acquired right-hander Jason Jennings from the Rockies, FOXSports.com has learned. — The Rockies will receive center fielder Willy Taveras and right-handers Jason Hirsh and Taylor Buchholz for Jennings and right-hander Miguel Asencio, major-league sources said.
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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 …
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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.
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
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets non-tender Zambrano — Talented, but oft-injured starting pitcher is now a free agent — The Mets regularly had tracked the progress of Victor Zambrano as he rehabbed his surgically-repaired right elbow. They appeared to maintain a level of interest in the pitcher who had been a member …
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.
