Top News:
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Rangers set weekend deadline on Zito — The Rangers have let Barry Zito's agent, Scott Boras, know that they don't plan to wait around all winter waiting for his response. The Rangers want to hear by this weekend whether or not Zito plans to accept their contract offer.
Discussion:
CUBDUMB, Hot Foot, Lone Star Ball, Giants Cove, Baseball Musings, Mets Today, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Igawa, Yankees complete $20 million, 5-year deal — NEW YORK (AP) — Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa and the New York Yankees completed their $20 million, five-year contract on Wednesday, a deal that was in the works for weeks. — The Yankees had until Thursday to finalize an agreement with Igawa …
Discussion:
Canyon of Heroes
Sports Illustrated:
Yankee ingenuity — Bombers poised to make customary offseason splash — The New York Yankees are a team that will switch plans at a moment's notice, a team that will appear to be lost or losing badly and then will suddenly steal the show. That may be exactly what's happening this offseason.
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
NorthJersey.com:
Randy attracting increased interest — The chances of a Randy Johnson deal increased Tuesday as the field expanded to four clubs said to have serious interest in the Yankees' edgy left-hander. — Along with Arizona and San Diego, the Mariners and Angels are believed to be in trade discussions for Johnson …
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
SEPARATE WAYS — POTENTIAL UNIT DEAL HAS SPECIFIC GOAL: GET YOUNGER, CHEAPER, DEEPER — This is not about Barry Zito. This is not about Roger Clemens. — The Yankees are robustly pursuing trade possibilities for Randy Johnson to continue heeding GM Brian Cashman's mission statement …
Mike Celizic / MSNBC:Bronx Bombers could have enough to land Zito if they deal Big Unit
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:
The Suppan Signing — Usually, the baseball world shuts down for a few days around Christmas, but not this year. On the 23rd, we had the White Sox/Rangers deal. On Christmas Day, rumors about a possible Randy Johnson trade were the rage, especially here in New York.
RELATED:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Tomo Ohka, RH — The deal: Agent said seven teams are talking with him and that Ohka (shoulder) is healthy for spring. Has three 10-win seasons and two 190-inning seasons in career. The Pirates, Mariners and Nationals have interest. — Tony Armas Jr., RH — 2006: 9-12, 5.03 ERA
Jeff Sackmann / Hardball Times:
How Good Is Your #4 Starter? — When pundits talk about a free-agent pitcher, they often refer to him as a "#3 starter" or, say, a "#4 starter for a contender." It's common enough usage that most baseball fans know what that means, or at least know what the pundits are getting at.
RELATED:
Chris Duncan / Associated Press:
Chris Brown, infielder in the '80s, dies after house fire — HOUSTON (AP) — Chris Brown, a third baseman who played six seasons in the majors in the 1980s, died Tuesday, nearly a month after he was burned in a fire at his home outside Houston. He was 45. — He died at Memorial Hermann Hospital.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Healthy Sledge may hit leadoff — M. Giles to bat 2nd, Gonzalez at cleanup — When the Padres signed Marcus Giles last week, it was assumed the second baseman became the leading candidate to be the Padres' leadoff hitter in 2007. — Not so fast. — The Padres are considering Terrmel Sledge …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Associated Press:
Court: Feds may use drug testing data from 2003 — SAN FRANCISCO — Government investigators are entitled to the names and urine samples of about 100 Major League Baseball players who tested positive for illegal drug use in 2003, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
MLB.com:
Brewers Heat Up January With The Winter Warm-Up — Selig, '82 Brewers stars highlight second annual event — MILWAUKEE - On Thursday, January 11 at Miller Park's .300 Club, the Milwaukee Brewers will host the team's Second Annual Winter Warm-Up, an event that will serve as the official preview for the team's upcoming season.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Injuries weighed down Brewers in 2006 — Milwaukee finished in fourth place in the NL Central race — When Brewers manager Ned Yost looks back at 2006, a couple of numbers jump immediately to mind: — Six and 17. — That was the Brewers' record in games started by replacements …
Steve Keane / The Eddie Kranepool Society:
WHAT'S THE FREQUENCY SNY? — So on Christmas Eve I have a house full of family over and after dinner I asked a couple of family members if they want to sneak down to my den and watch TV. "Of course" they say in unison so down we go into my inner sanctum.
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Phillies take roller-coaster ride in 2006 — Hot late-season run falls short; Howard named NL MVP — PHILADELPHIA — General manager Pat Gillick came to Philadelphia with a track record of successful stints in Toronto, Baltimore and Seattle. He spoke of adding five more wins to the ledger and securing a postseason berth.
Discussion:
Philliesflow
