Top News:
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Barry, Mets closer? — The Mets believe their chances of signing free agent Barry Zito improved last night with the news that the Rangers, apparently discouraged about their own pursuit of Zito, traded top prospects to the White Sox for highly regarded righthander Brandon McCarthy.
RELATED:
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox taking a scary leap — GM Williams rolls dice with dubious trade of McCarthy — Hey, Brandon McCarthy. Danks for the memories. — Sorry. That's the office-party eggnog talking. Or maybe it's just a case of being punch-drunk from White Sox general manager Ken Williams' ultra-aggressive …
Associated Press:
Texas sends top '03 pick to Chicago for McCarthy — ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas acquired right-hander Brandon McCarthy from the Chicago White Sox in a five-player deal Saturday in which the Rangers gave up their 2003 first-round pick. — John Danks, the ninth overall pick three years ago …
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers acquire McCarthy from Sox — Texas sends three Minor Leaguers in swap for young righty — ARLINGTON — General manager Jon Daniels, admitting he is not "terribly encouraged" about being able to sign free-agent southpaw Barry Zito, achieved his goal of adding a front-line starting pitcher …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Sox ship McCarthy to Texas — Land 2 prized prospects in return — In their never-ending quest for more young pitching, the White Sox shook up their staff Saturday by trading 23-year-old Brandon McCarthy to Texas for prized pitching prospects John Danks and Nick Masset.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers trade former No. 1 pick, get pitching help — With the Barry Zito situation unlikely to be resolved before the end of the year, the Rangers acted Saturday to add youth and depth to the starting rotation. — According to two Rangers sources, the club agreed to send top pitching prospect John Danks …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Growing Hart family rings in Christmas — Brewers outfielder talks tradition and celebrating in a new home — MILWAUKEE — Brewers outfielders sound like they've been swapping talking points this offseason. — "I'm as curious to know what will happen as anyone else," Corey Hart says.
RELATED:
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Helping Their Teams, Owners Can't Help Themselves — On opening day of the 2002 season, Gary Matthews Jr. batted for Al Leiter, the Mets' starting pitcher against Pittsburgh, in the sixth inning, flying out to Armando Rios in left field. The next day, the Mets traded Matthews, an outfielder …
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Baines had a knack for the big hit — Left-handed DH makes strong case for the position — CHICAGO — Mention the name Harold Baines to anyone associated with the White Sox organization, and the words "classy," "dignified" and "low-key" are often used to describe the likeable Baines as a person.
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
A case of natural selection — Rice's chance for Hall juiced by comparison — Jim Rice tries not to think about it anymore. When he does it only raises his ire and his blood pressure. All of the instincts he has about what's right and what's wrong are thrown askew.
JSOnline:
Bucks 115, Nets 104 — Milwaukee won its fourth straight game, knocking off New Jersey 115-104 at the Bradley Center. — Mo Williams continued his hot stretch, scoring a game-high 32 points to go with eight rebounds and eight assists. — Andrew Bogut posted a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Gamble taken on Hernandez — Having long ago purchased their big-ticket items for the holidays, the Red Sox [team stats] yesterday picked up an extra stocking stuffer. — The team signed right-hander Runelvys Hernandez to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Jim Baker / Baseball Prospectus:
The Best Seasons Ever Recorded — For your holiday consideration, here are the best WARP3 figures ever posted. In the name of contrived drama, we're listing them with the very best saved for last. In the name of diversity, we are listing the 10 players who have posted the highest figures, not just the 10 highest figures.
Discussion:
Get Up, Baby!
JSOnline:
Villanueva part of Brewers' backup plan — If the Milwaukee Brewers fail in their attempt to sign free agent pitcher Jeff Suppan, 23-year-old right-hander Carlos Villanueva becomes the leading candidate for the final spot in their starting rotation. — Villanueva was impressive during …
Discussion:
Brewers Bar
