Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Is Ichiro San Fran-bound in 2008? — Fear not, Giants fans. The team's 2007 edition will be another Senior League special, but after that club officials could replace Barry Bonds with a far more appealing star. — How does Ichiro sound? — San Francisco, with its huge Japanese community …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Rays' waiver claim on Livingston voided by MLB — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays' claim and subsequent trade of left-handed pitcher Bobby Livingston was voided by the commissioner's office Thursday, and Livingston then was awarded to the Cincinnati Reds. — The Devil Rays have the highest waiver …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Baltimore Sun:
Angelos: No Ripken sale … Orioles owner Peter Angelos adamantly denied a foxsports.com report last night that said he is talking to a group that includes Cal Ripken about buying the club. — "There is no question that Cal and I have a great relationship," Angelos said.
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Could Cal Ripken become Orioles owner? — The latest talks between former Baltimore great Cal Ripken and Orioles owner Peter Angelos about the future of the club involve a new wrinkle. — The two are discussing a gradual transfer of ownership from Angelos to a group that would include Ripken, major-league sources tell FOXSports.com.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Wells about to sign $126-million extension — In one of the bigger upsets of the off-season, the Blue Jays are on the verge of signing center fielder Vernon Wells to a seven-year, $126 million contract extension. — An agreement between the Jays and Wells is close, according to major-league sources.
Dallas Morning News:
How to pitch to Zito: A little outside — Daniels needs to be creative to land big fish where there's no ocean — Having missed on Barry Zito the first time he came available, before they knew what they had, the Rangers seem determined to avoid repeating history.
RELATED:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Mets ready for sitdown with Zito — The Mets are working to arrange a face-to-face meeting with Barry Zito, their top remaining free-agent target, a person familiar with the situation said yesterday. A date and location have not yet been decided, although it will likely be next week.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Damon: Yanks are on money — The Red Sox are throwing around a lot more money than they did last winter, when their offer to retain Johnny Damon was blown away by that of the rival Yankees. — But Damon doesn't begrudge the Boston front office, which has spent more than $200 million …
Discussion:
Off the Facade
RELATED:
Jennifer Royle / yesnetwork.com:
Damon ready to return — A healthy Johnny Damon is optimistic about his second year in New York — The most media-friendly player in the Yankee clubhouse just couldn't stay mum for the duration of the winter. — Johnny Damon, who spoke with the New York media from his home in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, is preparing for fatherhood.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Gonzalez drawing heavy interest — Eight minor-leaguers signed, including Wasdin — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — Where Mike Gonzalez will pitch next season remains a mystery, but this much is not: The interest in him is mounting. — It is believed that no fewer …
RELATED:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Vidro Trade Still Pending Physicals — The Washington Nationals' impending trade of second baseman Jose Vidro to Seattle for a pair of prospects will hold for at least another day as Vidro's physical was set for today in Miami. — The Nationals are set to receive outfielder Chris Snelling …
RELATED:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Endy's NLCS catch nets TYIB award — Outfielder leaped over left-field wall in Game 7 to rob Rolen — The baseball left Scott Rolen's bat and was headed for Detroit. It passed over left field at Shea Stadium in a New York second and over the left-field wall, as well.
RELATED:
Keith Reed / Boston Globe:
Japanese may follow Matsuzaka to Boston — But expected torrent of tourists could find it hard to snag tickets — Tourists from Osaka react to two geishas in Boston to promote Japan. By one estimate, a Japanese tourist in Boston spends $3,700, on average. (DAVID L. RYAN/GLOBE STAFF/FILE 2000)
Joe Stinebaker / Associated Press:
Astros slugger Jeff Bagwell retiring — HOUSTON —Jeff Bagwell, the face of Houston baseball for a generation with teammate Craig Biggio, will retire Friday after 15 years with the team. — The four-time All Star will remain with the Astros as part of a personal-services agreement reached …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Jeff Sackmann / Hardball Times:
Minor League Guns — Young catchers are somewhat unique among prospects: a reputation as a good or bad defender can be the difference between a career spent as a backup catcher and one that tops out with a failed transition to first or third base. However, like so many issues in prospect analysis …
John Powers / Boston Globe:
At home on the big stage — In career, persona, new Sox pitcher Matsuzaka an outsized presence — From Hokkaido to Kyushu, Daisuke Matsuzaka has been known as The Monster since he was a teenager, a larger-than-life presence at every stage of his career. At his old high school in Yokohama …
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
Rich Lederer / Baseball Analysts:
The Big Heist — The Boston Red Sox and Diasuke Matsuzaka reached agreement Wednesday on a six-year contract that will pay the Japanese star $52 million plus the potential for an additional $8 million in escalators based on awards. Matsuzaka will also receive a "litany of personal comforts" …
Discussion:
Pending Pinstripes
RELATED:
