Top News:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Brass heads west to make a Zito pitch — The Mets have spent plenty of time discussing Barry Zito - among themselves, with people around the baseball industry, with agent Scott Boras. Tonight, they'll take the next step. They'll discuss Zito with Zito himself.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Brewers, Bucs pursue Suppan — Jeff Suppan continues what seems like an inevitable winter trek toward also becoming a former Cardinal. — Two months to the day after winning the MVP of the National League Championship Series for the Cardinals, righthander Jeff Suppan has three teams in hot pursuit, his agent said Monday.
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Zito would be wise to pick Mets — If Barry Zito wants to become the pitching equivalent of Alex Rodriguez — a free agent who chased every last dollar — then he should sign with the Rangers. — If he wants to give himself the greatest chance of success, he should choose the Mets.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Gagne deal delivers depth to Rangers — If healthy, RHP will serve as closer; Barajas talking Rangers again — Barry Zito remains the Rangers' primary focus this off-season. But while the free agent prepares to visit with New York Mets officials, the Rangers aren't just waiting around.
Discussion:
Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets zoom to Zito — Omar & Co. goin' West to woo — Mets officials are flying to Los Angeles today to recruit Barry Zito and speak with agent Scott Boras, team insiders acknowledged. Any visit by the free-agent pitcher to New York likely will wait until after Christmas …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Sox, Drew apart — Team has questions on player's shoulder — The Red Sox have questions about the condition of J.D. Drew's surgically repaired right shoulder, questions that have kept them from finalizing a deal for the free agent right fielder two weeks after Drew's agent, Scott Boras …
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Basil / Federal Baseball:
Stanton's busy; better call Ray King — Step One: Sign veteran LOOGY. — Step Two: ????? — Step Three: Profit! — I apologize for succumbing to that annoying little internets cliche, but it is profitable, this LOOGY-hoarding. Or at least it has been—increasingly so—and I see no reason for that profitability to cease.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Orioles renew pursuit for LaRoche — Holiday morsels: — The Orioles have renewed their pursuit of Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche, this time without offering second baseman Brian Roberts. — Earlier this month, Orioles owner Peter Angelos nixed a trade of Roberts and right-hander Hayden Penn …
Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Oh, brother! Padres getting Marcus Giles for second base — Signing would limit Walker to utility role — Marcus Giles will be joining brother Brian in San Diego. — The second baseman has agreed to a one-year contract with a club option for 2008. — The announcement could be made as soon as this afternoon or tomorrow.
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Baseball and Casinos Don't Mix, or Do They? — What's good for the goose is supposed to be good for the gander, but in this case, who is the goose and who is the gander? — This case is about baseball and slot machines, about Steve Swindal and Bob Nutting. Swindal is one of two managing general partners of the Yankees.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Todd Zolecki / Philadelphia Inquirer:
Phillies and outfielder Werth reach agreement, source says — The Phillies continue to look for bullpen help, but in the meantime they have found some outfield depth. — A baseball source said yesterday that the Phillies have come to an agreement with outfielder Jayson Werth, who was cut free by the Los Angeles Dodgers last week.
Associated Press:
Larry Sherry dies after long battle with cancer — LOS ANGELES — Larry Sherry, MVP of the 1959 World Series as a reliever for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 71. — Sherry died early Sunday at his home in Mission Viejo, according to his brother …
Discussion:
Sox Machine
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Phil Rogers / ESPN:
Far different approaches in Windy City this offseason — At times, it is difficult to get Chicago's two baseball teams to even acknowledge that the other one even exists. — Through the years, the White Sox steadfastly have denied that the Cubs are their competition.
ESPN:
Yankees reportedly reach agreement with Igawa — Looks like the New York Yankees can't get enough of left-handed starters. — They already had Randy Johnson. Then they lured Andy Pettitte back to the Bronx this offseason. Now, multiple media reports said on Monday night that the Yankees …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Snelling, Fruto heading to Washington — Nationals send veteran second baseman Vidro to Mariners — WASHINGTON — A trade agreed upon almost two weeks ago came to fruition on Monday, as the Nationals acquired outfielder Chris Snelling and right-hander Emiliano Fruto from the Mariners …
Associated Press:
Radke expected to retire — Steady right-hander pitched 12 seasons for Twins — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins righthander Brad Radke scheduled a news conference Tuesday and was expected to announce his retirement. — Radke, 34, struggled with injuries in his throwing shoulder …
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