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:
Halos Heaven, Halo Herald, 6-4-2, 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.
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:
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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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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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 …
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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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.
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
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
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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 …
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Rob Biertempfel / PittsburghLIVE.com:
Bucs show interest in Pineiro — TRIBUNE-REVIEW — The Pirates are eyeing free-agent right-hander Joel Pineiro as a possible fifth starter for their 2007 rotation. — Pineiro, 28, became a free agent Tuesday when the Mariners did not offer him arbitration.
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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.
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Magowan admits questions remain — Giants owner defends Bonds deal, concedes pitching is unsettled — The Giants hosted their annual holiday party for 200 homeless children Thursday. In attendance were owner Peter Magowan, manager Bruce Bochy and new Giants Dave Roberts, Rich Aurilia and Bengie Molina.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
