Top News:
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.
Discussion:
Halo Herald, Halos Heaven, 6-4-2, Keep Your Sox On In Brooklyn, Fire Brand of the …, Pearly Gates and Baseball Musings
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John Perrotto / Beaver County Times & Allegheny Times:
Yankees may want Gonzo — If the Pittsburgh Pirates wind up trading closer Mike Gonzalez, it appears the most likely destination for the left-hander is the New York Yankees. — Baseball sources indicated Friday that Yankees are willing to part with left-handed hitting outfielder Melky Cabrera straight-up in a trade for Gonzalez.
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.
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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.
Rob Gillies / Associated Press:
Wells and Blue Jays agree to $126 million, 7-year extension — TORONTO (AP) — All-Star center fielder Vernon Wells and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed Friday night to a $126 million, seven-year contract extension through 2014, the sixth-largest deal in baseball history. — "How can you not be happy?"
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ESPN:
Bagwell retires owning most Astros hit marks — HOUSTON — Jeff Bagwell retired Friday after 15 years with the Houston Astros, ending a career in which he hit 449 home runs but was forced from the field after the 2005 season because of a shoulder injury. — Along with Craig Biggio …
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Baseball Prospectus
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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.
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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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 …
Discussion:
Boston Herald, Boston Sports Media Watch, Ben Maller's Sports … and The LoHud Yankees Blog
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:Right down to the wire: Sox almost left empty-handed
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Hartford Courant
Sports Illustrated:
Heart of the matter — Hendry discusses health scare, Cubs spending spree — No general manager in baseball has had an offseason quite like the Cubs' Jim Hendry. Not only has he brokered the biggest free-agent contract since 2001 — a stunning eight-year, $136 million deal for Alfonso Soriano …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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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
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Associated Press:
Buck O'Neil awarded Medal of Freedom — WASHINGTON - Buck O'Neil was posthumously awarded the nation's highest civil honor Friday, cited for a life in baseball after being barred from the national pastime in his prime. — The Negro Leagues player, historian and advocate was honored …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Brewers pursuing Suppan — Milwaukee continues to search for quality pitching additions — MILWAUKEE — If they can't beat him, they'll try to reel him in. — The Brewers have shown interest in free-agent right-hander Jeff Suppan, but have yet to extend an offer to the career Brewers-killer …
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Gonzalez excited to reunite with Sox — Former Chicago prospect happy to return in deal with Philly — CHICAGO — You're 21 years old. You're a left-handed pitcher, considered by most to be not only one of the top prospects in your respective organization but in all of baseball.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Sam Mellinger / Kansas City Star:
Could Meche be No. 1? VIDEO — Pitcher is being paid like an ace — $55 million — and he says he's going to try to prove that he's worth it. — "Hopefully I can take off and become what I think I can be, which is one of the best pitchers in the American League." — | Royals pitcher Gil Meche
Discussion:
Royals Review
