Top News:
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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Associated Press:
Rivera breaks leg in winter game — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Angels outfielder Juan Rivera broke his left leg Friday during a winter league game in Venezuela. — Rivera broke his left tibia in the Oriente Caribbeans' game against the Aragua Tigers in Maracay.
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 …
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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.
Discussion:
The Parrot
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
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
Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
Nationals Owners To Dig Even Deeper — Lerners Plan to Spend Millions More On Improvements to D.C. Ballpark — The owners of the Washington Nationals plan to spend at least $30 million to improve the city-financed ballpark under construction on the Southeast waterfront, according to Mark Lerner, son of principal owner Ted Lerner.
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.
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.
Michael Echan / MLB.com:
Bautista exhibits patience in winter ball — Utility man leads Tigres del Licey in four statistical categories — Patience has definitely been a virtue for Jose Bautista this fall. — After posting a .370 on-base percentage with the Indianapolis Indians this year …
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.
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
Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
M's reportedly sign Burroughs — Deal will send third baseman to minor leagues — A report in the Denver Post said former can't-miss third base prospect Sean Burroughs, attempting to revive a career that never met expectations, has signed a minor-league deal with the Mariners.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins star Dontrelle Willis arrested on DUI charge in Miami Beach — Joyce Harris was in disbelief. She let the ticker scroll through and read the news about her son, Dontrelle Willis, a second time before assimilating it. — A star pitcher with the Florida Marlins …
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