Top News:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Sox make a move for the bullpen — Donnelly, Romero added for setup roles — While Daisuke Matsuzaka decided to stick around town for a few days to get acquainted with his new surroundings, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein wasted little time turning his attention to other business.
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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.
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 …
Associated Press:Red Sox acquire Donnelly from Angels
Discussion:
Halo Herald, Halos Heaven, 6-4-2, Keep Your Sox On In Brooklyn, Fire Brand of the …, Pearly Gates and Baseball Musings
MLB.com:Red Sox acquire right-hander Brendan Donnelly from Los Angeles Angels …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:Damon Has Few Regrets as Red Sox Spend Big Again
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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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Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Rodriguez Talks Retirement and Attracts Silence — Toward the end of his most challenging season in baseball, Alex Rodriguez told Bob Costas in a nationally syndicated radio interview that he might not play once his current 10-year contract expired after the 2010 season.
Discussion:
Off the Facade
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 …
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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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Red Sox name new broadcast team — Castiglione will be joined by two new faces in the booth — BOSTON — Red Sox radio broadcasts will have both a traditional and new feel to them in 2007. — Entercom and the Red Sox announced the team's revamped broadcast team on Friday …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Front office plans for Rangers' future — Organizational meetings gather club's brain trust — ARLINGTON — A keynote address from owner Tom Hicks about the need for stability, a visit from Dallas Cowboys scouting legend Gil Brandt and a bowling tournament highlighted the Rangers …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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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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 …
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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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 …
