Top News:
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 …
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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 …
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 …
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Sox send McCarthy to Rangers — Young righty lands three Minor League pitchers from Texas — CHICAGO — Brandon McCarthy basically woke up to a phone call some time around 10 or 10:30 Saturday morning. — But the talented young right-hander still had to feel as if he was part …
Yahoo! Sports:
White Sox trade RHP McCarthy to Rangers for three prospects — CHICAGO (TICKER) — The Texas Rangers brought in a highly coveted pitcher - but he was not named Barry Zito. — The Rangers on Saturday acquired promising righthander Brandon McCarthy and a minor-league outfielder …
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 …
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
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.
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 …
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Brewers Bar
Fox Sports:
Braves must adjust to new role in NL East — Last season, the Atlanta Braves' astounding run of success came to an end. — For the first time since 1990, the Braves finished a full season somewhere other than first place, and they even recorded a losing season for the first time since before Bobby Cox returned to the dugout in '91.
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
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!
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Maine acts just like a kid at Christmas — Mets right-hander talks about the holidays with MLB.com — NEW YORK — When the Mets traded Kris Benson to the Orioles in January, most of the attention focused on reasons for Benson's departure and Jorge Julio, the reliever the Mets obtained.
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.
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:Rivera breaks left leg in winter league game
Discussion:
MLB.com
