Top News:
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Asia major, not minor: Club plans to search Far East and wide — Larry Lucchino wants to make it clear that the acquisition of pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka marks only the start of a relationship between the Red Sox [team stats] and Japanese baseball, rather than the end.
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Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:
Officially, The New No. 18 — BOSTON — The choice of uniform number is just a coincidence. Daisuke Matsuzaka wore No. 18 throughout his professional career in Japan. — But the symbolism was apparent at Fenway Park Thursday as Matsuzaka, in his first official act as member of the Red Sox …
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)
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 …
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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 …
George King / New York Post:
YANKS MAY GIVE DOUG DEAL — Before the Yankees make Doug Mientkiewicz a contract offer they want to see the medical report from Dr. Robert Watkins who operated on the first baseman's back. — The Yankees, who have experienced back troubles with pitchers Kevin Brown and Randy Johnson lately …
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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 …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Lopez to move to second in '07 — Switch-hitter has only played 12 career games at the position — One day after it was revealed that the Nationals are close to sending second baseman Jose Vidro to the Mariners for outfielder Chris Snelling and right-hander Emiliano Fruto, pending physicals …
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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.
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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.
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Sights set on Suppan — Right-hander pitches well in Miller Park — thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com — If Jeff Suppan could pitch nearly as effectively for the Milwaukee Brewers as he has against them, it's easy to see why they're interested in pursuing the free agent right-hander.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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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
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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 …
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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 …
