Top News:
Murray Chass / New York Times:
It's Too Early for the Yankees to Celebrate Their Tax Bill — At $26 million, it's a bargain, and next year, the tax the Yankees will have to pay on their payroll will be even less. Life is beautiful. — Where else could a tax bill for $26 million induce everybody in the office to exchange high-fives?
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Associated Press:
Yankees hit with $26 million luxury tax — NEW YORK — The Yankees were slapped with a $26 million luxury tax by the commissioner's office, raising New York's total to $97.75 million over the last four years. — Boston, which missed the playoffs, was the only other team over the tax threshold and will pay $497,549.
Discussion:
Empyreal Environs
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Rivera breaks left leg in winter league game — An offense in need of additional power lost a big chunk of its existing pop — and possibly for a significant amount of time — when Angels designated hitter/outfielder Juan Rivera suffered a broken left tibia in a winter league game in Venezuela on Friday.
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Angel Bucks / MLB.com:
Halos' Rivera breaks leg in Venezuela — Outfielder had breakout 2006 season; suffered broken left tibia — One of the offensive stars for the Angels in 2006 suffered an injury Friday when outfielder Juan Rivera sustained a broken left tibia in a Venezuela Winter League game, the Angels announced.
Angel Bucks / MLB.com:
Juan Rivera injured in Venezuela — ANAHEIM, CA — The Angels Friday announced that outfielder Juan Rivera sustained a broken left tibia in a game earlier today while playing winter ball in Venezuela. — Rivera, 28, suffered the injury playing for the Oriente Caribbeans during their contest vs. the Aragua Tigers in Maracay, VZ.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Bucco Blog:
Too Late - The Trigger is Pulled — Bucco Blog heard yesterday that a pending deal for Adam LaRoche was in the works and published our article asking Littlefield to not pull the trigger too quickly. — But it looks like he has. — The three-team swap between the Yankees, Braves …
Associated Press:
AMAZIN'S HIKE TICKET PRICES — The Mets are raising the price of their box seats closest to the field by up to $12 next season and are increasing the best tickets available for individual games by as much as $7. — The Metro Club Gold seats, the ones nearest the dugouts, will range from $108-$72 …
Discussion:
The Eddie Kranepool Society
Miami Herald:
Marlins' Dontrelle Willis arrested in SoBe on DUI charge — Star Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis was arrested outside a South Beach nightclub this morning on a DUI charge, Miami Beach police said. — Police first noticed Willis, 24, early Friday when he double-parked his black …
RELATED:
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel: Marlins star Dontrelle Willis arrested on DUI charge in Miami Beach
Michelle Spitzer / Associated Press:Police: Willis arrested on drunken driving charge in Miami Beach
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies ink Bellorin to minor-league deal — The Rockies lost out on free agent Rod Barajas, but welcomed another catcher into their mitts Friday. — In an attempt to build organizational depth, Colorado signed former Dodgers farmhand Edwin Bellorin to a minor-league contract.
Mike Petraglia / MLB.com:
Hernandez signs with Red Sox — Right-hander will compete for bullpen spot this spring — BOSTON — In a move to deepen the Major League-ready pitching in the upper levels of the organization, the Red Sox on Friday announced the signing of former Royals right-hander Runelvys Hernandez to a contract with Triple-A Pawtucket.
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
O'Dowd: Helton rumors not true — Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd on Friday denied a story in the Los Angeles Times that quoted major league sources saying the Rockies have renewed talks with the Los Angeles Angels about a Todd Helton trade, a deal that was discussed briefly at the annual winter meetings.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Foulke would be fourth new Indian reliever — The reconstruction of the Indians' bullpen continues. — Free-agent right-hander Keith Foulke is leaning toward signing with Cleveland, though a deal likely will not be completed until after Christmas, FOXSports.com has learned.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates touch base with Huff — Free agent had 21 home runs last season — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates have made contact with Aubrey Huff, the most prominent left-handed power hitter remaining in free agency, and are one of a handful of teams considered to be in the running for his services.
Associated Press:
Miranda signs with Yankees for four years, $2 million — NEW YORK — Cuban infielder Juan Miranda and the New York Yankees agreed Friday to a $2.07 million, four-year contract. — He played with Pinar Del Rio in Cuba from 2002-04, and the Yankees said he hit .303 there with 27 homers, 73 walks and 87 strikeouts.
Rob Neyer / ESPN:
Some teams will get their money's worth — You know about the winner's curse, right? Essentially the idea is that when the bidders in an auction have less than perfect knowledge of the item's value, the winning bidder will pay more than the item is actually worth.
