Top News:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Creature comforts were worth wait for all concerned — So perhaps there was no other way for this to turn out but as a "joyous day in New England," as Red Sox owner John Henry termed it. — But for anyone who believes it was a foregone conclusion, this celebratory press conference …
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Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:Officially, The New No. 18 — BOSTON — The choice of uniform number …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Iwamura signs three-year deal — Japanese infielder expected to play third base for Rays in '07 — ST. PETERSBURG — Reaching across the Pacific Ocean for help, the Devil Rays signed infielder Akinori Iwamura on Friday to a three-year contract worth $7.7 million, with a club option for a fourth year at $4.25 million.
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Fred Goodall / Associated Press:
Iwamura agrees to $7.7 million, 3-year contract with Devil Rays — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Infielder Akinori Iwamura became the second Japanese star to land in the major leagues in as many days when he agreed Friday to a $7.7 million, three-year contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Discussion:
The Griddle
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 …
Associated Press:
Red Sox acquire Donnelly from Angels — ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Los Angeles Angels traded former All-Star reliever Brendan Donnelly to the Boston Red Sox on Friday for rookie left-hander Phil Seibel. — The 35-year-old Donnelly became expendable when the Angels and reliever Justin Speier agreed to an $18 million, four-year contract.
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Dotcom / Extra Bases:
Sox get Donnelly — The Red Sox today announced that the team has acquired righthanded pitcher Brendan Donnelly from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for lefthanded pitcher Phil Seibel. — The Red Sox released the following details on the announcement:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Zito is going to strike it rich … Maybe it was the strain of going 48 straight hours without sleep, but Scott Boras sounded less than euphoric after negotiating Daisuke Matsuzaka's six-year, $52 million deal with Boston on Wednesday. — Baseball's most powerful agent found his first big foray …
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Michael Morrissey / New York Post:
PRICE HIGH FOR METS TO IMPROVE BULLPEN — On Wednesday afternoon in Shea Stadium, GM Omar Minaya admitted he still can improve the Met bullpen for 2007. — "Yes we could," Minaya said emphatically. "And we are going to try to improve our bullpen." — Unfortunately, one of the best options …
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 …
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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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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Damon Has Few Regrets as Red Sox Spend Big Again — It was around this time last winter that Johnny Damon was a free agent, hoping the Boston Red Sox would make a compelling offer to keep him. The Red Sox, practicing fiscal restraint, never budged from a four-year, $40 million proposal.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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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MLB.com:
Why Bagwell should be in Hall of Fame — Veteran's numbers stack up with game's best first baseman — HOUSTON — The first time I saw Jeff Bagwell, he was a scrawny 20-year-old third baseman taking ground balls at the Astros' Spring Training complex in Kissimmee, Fla., in 1991.
MLB.com:
Cubs and Ted Lilly agree to four-year deal — The Chicago Cubs today announced that the club has agreed to a four-year deal with free agent left-handed pitcher Ted Lilly. — Lilly, 30, won a career-best 15 games last season with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was 15-13 with a 4.31 ERA …
Various Authors / Powered:
30 Voices on the State of the Game — Of all the comments made for this article, maybe Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus put it best: — "Saying what's right and wrong with the game is an exercise in hubris and futility." — True, but that doesn't mean we can't try, right?
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
