Top News:
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Zito plays it cool as rumors swirl — The big pitching prize of this winter's free-agent frenzy is, typically, unaffected by all the fuss. Barry Zito is too busy working harder than ever, this time with a new offseason regimen that has trimmed his body fat by 4.5 percent.
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers offer Suppan four-year deal — Right-hander is 5-0 with a 1.76 ERA in seven starts at Miller Park — MILWAUKEE — Jeff Suppan's agent says the veteran right-hander is just as interested in the Brewers as the Brewers are in him. But that does not mean Suppan is ready to sign on the dotted line.
Associated Press:
Brewers make 4-year contract offer to Suppan — GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) - The Brewers have offered a four-year contract to free-agent pitcher Jeff Suppan. — The offer is for between $36 million and $40 million, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports. — Free-agent left-hander Ted Lilly received …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates sign minor-league catcher Diaz — Mets also interested in Suppan — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates yesterday signed catcher Einar Diaz to a minor-league contract. — Diaz, 33, played three games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:In the Neighborhood, the Mets Stop at Suppan's
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Reds acquire Conine in trade with Phillies — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — CINCINNATI — The Reds acquired Jeff Conine from the Philadelphia Phillies for a pair of minor leaguers Thursday, giving them a right-handed hitter who can share a spot at first base and play the outfield.
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds acquire Conine from Phillies — Cincinnati ships two Minor Leaguers to Philadelphia — CINCINNATI — With the Reds in pursuit of a right-handed hitter most of this offseason, several names had surfaced as potential fits — ranging from Craig Wilson to Eduardo Perez to Mark Loretta.
Mike Petraglia / MLB.com:
Sox sign eight to Minor League deals — BOSTON — A veteran catcher and a fan-favorite utilityman are among the eight free agents who signed 2007 contracts with Boston's Triple-A affiliate on Wednesday, with an invitation to Major League camp as non-roster players.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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Mychael Urban / MLB.com:
A's invite Durazo to Spring Training — Slugger returning to Oakland, will compete for roster spot — OAKLAND — Erubiel Durazo, whom A's general manager Billy Beane called his personal "Holy Grail" after acquiring him in a three-team trade at the 2002 Winter Meetings, will be back in green and gold come spring.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yankees Greet Igawa, and Then Talk Details — Though they have not signed him, the Yankees are welcoming Kei Igawa to the team this week. Igawa, who has agreed to a five-year, $20 million contract, visited Yankee Stadium yesterday and met with front-office officials for a tour of the ballpark.
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Fox Sports:
Bonds not likely to break Aaron's mark in '07 — So Barry Bonds is back with the San Francisco Giants. — His decision to re-up with his hometown team (one year, $16 million) means he'll be in a Giants' uniform for a 15th season. That, in turn, means that Bonds will join Willie McCovey …
Larry Dobrow / CBS SportsLine.com:
Save This Franchise: Braves will score, get scored upon — Suggesting that the Atlanta Braves are a franchise in need of saving is a sacrilege, frankly. — A flat and injury-dappled 2006 notwithstanding, the team has snared more divisional titles (14) than the Mets, Phillies …
Marc Jimenez / MLB.com:
Rivera's newfound power on display — Journeyman leading Mexican Pacific League in homers, RBIs — In a little more than two months in the Mexican Pacific League, Ruben Rivera has more home runs and RBIs than he had all season for Triple-A Charlotte. — The former Major Leaguer went 2 …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Greg Casterioto / MLB.com:
Utley excited about Phils' acquisitions — Second baseman glad to have Garcia, Helms, Werth on board — For Phillies All-Star second baseman Chase Utley, the baseball offseason is just as exciting to him as it is to all other fans. Utley routinely checks out the transaction wire and keeps …
MLB.com:
Dodgers announce staff assignments for 2007 Minor League season — LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced minor league field staffing assignments for the 2007 season with five former Dodger players among the personnel, according to De Jon Watson, Director of Player Development.
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
Associated Press:
Cubs promote Bush to assistant GM — Randy Bush was promoted to assistant general manager by the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. — Bush, a member of two World Series winning teams with the Minnesota Twins, had joined the Cubs as a special assistant to general manager Jim Hendry on Jan. 26 …
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