Top News:
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.
Discussion:
Oleanders and Morning Glories
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
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Mariners set to acquire Vidro — Seattle will send Snelling, Fruto to Nats, 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.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Geoff Baker / Seattle Times:
M's acquire Nationals' second baseman Vidro — Another offensive upgrade for the Mariners is to be finalized later this week when Jose Vidro joins the team as its full-time designated hitter. — The Mariners have agreed to acquire the three-time All-Star second baseman from the Washington Nationals …
Discussion:
The Frinklin and Fred Show
DMZ / U.S.S. Mariner:
WaPo report: M's agree to trade Snelling, Fruto for Vidro — Article here. … I guess we hope Vidro blows that physical like a horse in Enumclaw, because this is crazy. — Chris Snelling is a 25-year old corner outfielder with an injury history and a plus arm who hit .250/.360/.427.
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.
Discussion:
New York Times, A Red Sox Fan …, Clubhouse Insider, WELCOME TO, Baseball Musings, Extra Bases, Canyon of Heroes, Sports and Music Blog, Boston Sports Media Watch, Cursed To First, Pinstripe Alley, Blogging Baseball, Camden Chat, Lone Star Ball, MLB Trade Rumors, Bucs Dugout and A New Pirates Generation
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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.
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 …
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.
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
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Sox rearranging dominos — Non-tender to Sierra would free roster spot — A small move Tuesday could lead to bigger things for the White Sox. — The Sox were expected to tender contracts to their remaining unsigned players on the 40-man roster, including third baseman Joe Crede and infielder Alex Cintron.
Discussion:
The Bard's Room
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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 …
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
