Top News:
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Brewers reach agreement with Suppan — Christmas came a day early for the Milwaukee Brewers. — The Brewers reached agreement today with free agent right-hander Jeff Suppan on a four-year deal with a club option worth $42 million. A source familiar with the negotiations confirmed the agreement …
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ESPN:
Suppan gets four-year deal from Brewers — MILWAUKEE — Jeff Suppan, the MVP of the NL Championship Series for the St. Louis Cardinals this season, has signed a four-year free agent contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. — According to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the deal is worth $42 million.
Chicago Tribune:
Brewers, Suppan agree on 4 years for $42 million — NL Championship Series MVP Jeff Suppan reached a preliminary agreement Sunday on a four-year, $42 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. — Suppan must pass a physical before the deal is finalized, the Brewers said in a rare Christmas Eve announcement.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Brewers Get Suppan, and Mets Lose Option — The right-hander Jeff Suppan agreed to a four-year contract yesterday with the Milwaukee Brewers, taking one of the Mets' top free-agent targets out of the equation. The deal, which also includes a fifth-year option, is worth $42 million, according to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Outside shopping isn't in the Cards — With the exception of a few familiar faces, the Cardinals do not see a free agent worth pursuing at current prices, and the club is content to report to Jupiter, Fla., with the roster it has today, general manager Walt Jocketty says.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers agree to terms with Suppan — MVP of 2006 NLCS inks four-year deal, pending physical — MILWAUKEE — The Brewers did some last-minute shopping on Christmas Eve, agreeing to terms with veteran right-hander Jeff Suppan on what will be the richest contract in the history of the franchise.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
MLB.com:
Brewers add holiday cheer by agreeing to terms with 2006 NLCS MVP Suppan — MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers today announced that the club has agreed to terms with free-agent pitcher Jeff Suppan, Most Valuable Player of the 2006 National League Championship Series.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
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.
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Jay Mariotti / Chicago Sun Times:
Trade-happy GM butchers rotation by dealing McCarthy — Twas the night before Christmas, and all through The Cell, not a creature was stirring — except the fax machine of Ken Williams, a trading madman drinking way too much eggnog. Uh, couldn't he have done some last-minute Christmas shopping like the rest of us Saturday?
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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.
Chris Jenkins / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Comfort zone — "You have to feel it in your gut. And when it happens, you have to feel like you're all in. This opportunity with the Padres felt that way." — Before he ever was known professionally as a left-hander, his job title was "seventh hand."
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 …
Discussion:
Sabernomics
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.
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.
