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Dave Hyde / Sun-Sentinel:
Bargains scarce for Marlins — Larry Beinfest never thinks about being one of those Richie Rich general managers. He knows what the Marlins can't do. They can't stroll down the free-agent shopping aisle and, if they need relievers, just throw a couple in the cart. — And that $15 million outfielder?
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Gonzalez enjoying homecoming — New skipper spends time with fans at 'Select-a-Seat' event — MIAMI — It's been a busy week of meeting and greeting the South Florida community for Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez. — Over the past week, Gonzalez has taken part in a handful of team functions …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Mike Petraglia / MLB.com:
Report: Drew to get second opinion — Red Sox concerned about shoulder; deal not yet finalized — BOSTON — Monday could be a pivotal day in the effort to finalize J.D. Drew's five-year contract with the Red Sox. — The Boston Globe reported Sunday that according to a Major League source familiar …
Discussion:
Empyreal Environs
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ESPN:
Report: Drew to get second opinion Monday — Are the Red Sox having second thoughts on signing J.D. Drew? They at least want a second opinion on the outfielder's physical exam results, The Boston Globe reported Sunday. — Drew is scheduled to have a second opinion Monday on a shoulder issue …
Yahoo! Sports:
Sportsticker Baseball Notebook — When you examine the numerous stories of Daisuke Matsuzaka signing with the Boston Red Sox, just remember one thing - the devil always is in the details. — As an example, the last paragraph of the team's press release announcing the signing of Matsuzaka to a six-year contract read as follows:
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Williams on ball with Hall signing — Sometimes small moves can be important ones. That figures to be the case with the White Sox's signing of backup catcher Toby Hall on Sunday, which completed a productive weekend for general manager Ken Williams. — Hall, 31, had been Tampa Bay's primary catcher …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Sox bring catcher Hall aboard — Free agent comes to terms on two-year deal with club option — CHICAGO — At the conclusion of Saturday afternoon's conference call to announce the acquisition of left-handed reliever Andrew Sisco from Kansas City, Ken Williams hinted at another White Sox transaction soon to come.
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Sox pick up a catcher — The White Sox filled their troublesome backup catcher spot by signing veteran Toby Hall to a two-year, $3.65 million contract Sunday. — Hall, 31, played for the Devil Rays and Dodgers last season but became a free agent when he was not offered a contract in Los Angeles.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Marcus Giles close to joining Padres — The Giles family reunion is on. — Free-agent second baseman Marcus Giles is expected to sign with the Padres early this week, joining his older brother, right fielder Brian Giles, FOXSports.com has learned. — Marcus, 28, likely will agree to a one-year deal and possibly a club option.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Yankees are just one of Pirates' options with Gonzalez — Team sees Braves, Red Sox in trade mix, too — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — Whether Mike Gonzalez opens the 2007 season with a tomahawk across his chest or draped in pinstripes, this much is certain: His profile has been raised quite a bit this offseason.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Stopgap center fielder an option for Hendry — Veteran could fill bill in case Pie not ready — With little available in the free-agent market, the Cubs might elect to sign a veteran, defensive-minded outfielder who can play center field in case Felix Pie doesn't prove in spring training he's ready to become an everyday player.
Discussion:
GROTA
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
O's agree to terms on one-year deal with Gomez … The Orioles have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with utility man Chris Gomez, who will return for his third season in Baltimore. — Gomez hit .341 last season with two home runs and 17 RBIs in 55 games last season.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Brocail coming back against all odds — Doug Brocail is returning to the Padres next season - once he completes a physical examination. — And given Brocail's 2006 season, that will be a significant milestone for the 39-year-old right-handed relief pitcher. — Brocail had two angioplastys last spring.
Discussion:
NY Mets Blog
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
High stakes for holidays — Baseball's big-money game starts the offseason merry-go-round spinning wildly — Like Santa's belt, baseball lost elasticity this winter. Teams viewed free agents much as Mr. T does gold chains or Paris Hilton does shame. There is no such thing as too much.
Discussion:
Purple Row
