Top News:
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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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Melky headed to Braves? — Yanks discussing three-way deal that would import Gonzalez — In an effort to upgrade their bullpen, the Yankees have discussed a three-way trade with Pittsburgh and Atlanta, the basics of which would send Melky Cabrera to the Braves, bring Pirates closer Mike Gonzalez …
Bob Elliott / Toronto Sun:
Takin' it to the bank — Vernon Wells accepts Jays' $126M offer — Vernon Wells is staying. — Staying for a long time, possibly through the 2014 season, which is a lot longer than some of us. — Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Godfrey pried $126 million US away from Ted Rogers' basement vault …
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:Odds 'better than 50-50' that Wells will sign
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
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.
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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
Los Angeles Times:
Angels not pursuing pitcher Zito — General Manager Bill Stoneman all but confirmed Friday that the Angels were not pursuing free-agent left-hander Barry Zito, a development that would seem to put a crimp in the team's efforts to land a proven power hitter.
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
A Shift in Focus Doesn't Change Boras's Objective — As Scott Boras relaxed on an airplane that was about to depart from Boston for Southern California yesterday afternoon, he had already shifted his negotiating focus to Barry Zito from Daisuke Matsuzaka. — Tense negotiations …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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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 …
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
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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 …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Vidro trade temporarily put on hold — Before joining M's, ex-Nat must wait until Monday for physical — The trade between the Nationals and Mariners that sent second baseman Jose Vidro to Seattle and outfielder Chris Snelling and right-hander Emiliano Fruto to Washington will be put …
Discussion:
District of Baseball
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Talks progressing on new Marlins' home — MLB helping team secure funding for stadium in South Florida — MIAMI — If no news is good news, then this was an encouraging week for the Marlins' stadium effort. — Earlier this week, Major League Baseball president Bob DuPuy …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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 …
Benjamin Hill / MLB.com:
Bisenius showing promise in winter ball — Right-hander has not stopped pitching since Spring Training — Like the Energizer bunny, Joseph Bisenius' 2006 season just keeps going and going and going. — The hard-throwing 24-year-old spent April through July with the Class …
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 …
