Top News:
Sports Illustrated:
Done deal — Red Sox, Matsuzaka agree to six-year contract — Daisuke Matsuzaka has reached a deal with the Boston Red Sox for 6 years, $52 million, SI.com's Jon Heyman has learned. The deal contains escalator clauses that could bring it up to $60 million.
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Matsuzaka deal appears imminent — Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and agent Scott Boras, philosophically worlds apart in the Daisuke Matsuzaka negotiations, put aside their differences at the 11th hour and are near completing a multiyear deal for the coveted 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.
Gordon Edes / Extra Bases:
Dice-K en route — The Red Sox contingent in Southern California is currently 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.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Everybody wins with Matsuzaka deal — When all is said and done, the Red Sox's total payout for Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka likely will be similar to what left-hander Barry Zito commands as a free agent. — The final numbers — $103 million (six years, $52 million in salary …
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:Matsuzaka deal worth at least $52 million: Japanese ace hits Hub …
Discussion:
MLB.com
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:Matsuzaka deal full speed ahead: Pitcher, Boras flying to Hub with Sox
Discussion:
Empyreal Environs
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals to Trade Vidro for Prospects — The Washington Nationals took a major step toward freeing room on their future payroll and breaking loose a logjam in the middle infield, agreeing to trade second baseman Jose Vidro — who has spent his entire career with the Montreal-Washington organization …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats to trade Vidro to Mariners — Snelling, Fruto to join Washington, pending physicals — The Nationals are expected to trade second baseman Jose Vidro to the Mariners for outfielder Chris Snelling and pitcher Emiliano Fruto, according to Vidro and a high-ranking baseball official.
Howard Fendrich / Associated Press:
Mariners, Nationals have tentative agreement on Vidro deal — WASHINGTON (AP) — Second baseman Jose Vidro would be sent to the Seattle Mariners by the Washington Nationals for two prospects in a tentative trade that is pending physicals for all players involved, a person with knowledge …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Geoff Baker / Seattle Times:M's acquire Nationals' second baseman Vidro
Discussion:
The Frinklin and Fred Show
Baseball America:
Rockies, Astros Pull Five-Player Deal — Smarting from the loss of free agent Andy Pettitte, the Astros responded by adding righthander Jason Jennings in a five-player deal with the Rockies on Tuesday. — In addition to Jennings, Houston also receives righthander Miguel Asencio …
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies ship their workhorse — Ace Jennings traded to Astros for center fielder Taveras and two young pitchers — In the end, the Rockies insisted it wasn't about contracts, agents or an owner's comments. They traded their homegrown opening-day starter Tuesday because they felt it made them better.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Running start is plan as Taveras joins lineup — The Rockies are looking for someone to jump-start their offense. — Willy Taveras welcomes the opportunity. — Acquired Tuesday as part of a package from the Houston Astros for right-handed pitcher Jason Jennings, Taveras figures …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Miles gets new deal from Birds — TENDERED OFFERS To So Taguchi and Randy Flores, who were arbitration-eligible. — NO CONTRACTS Rick Ankiel and Jorge Sosa were not given offers, making them free agents. — As they finalized a contract with Aaron Miles and tendered an offer to So Taguchi …
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ESPN:
Talks ongoing between Blue Jays, Wells — The Blue Jays apparently are serious about keeping budding superstar Vernon Wells in the fold. — Wells, who can become a free agent after next season, was offered a seven-year, $126 million extension by Toronto. No deal has been agreed to, however.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
