Top News:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Source: Zito to Giants — The Rangers have been told that Barry Zito is signing elsewhere. — One source said that the Rangers expect Zito to sign with the San Francisco Giants. The Rangers offered Zito a six-year, $84 million contract. They also added a vesting option for $15 million for a seventh year with a $4 million buyout.
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
FRISCO COULD BE ZITO FRONT-RUNNER — The Giants, despite reports, have no interest in Randy Johnson. However, they are very, very interested in a left-hander who could impact a New York team's plans. — The Yankees did contact San Francisco about Johnson.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Pride of the Yankees, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, MLB Trade Rumors and Fox Sports
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Zzzzzz in Zito race — Talks sleepwalk — Barry Zito has been given a weekend deadline by the Texas Rangers, but people close to the situation said yesterday they don't expect it to have any impact on the slow-moving Zito negotiations for the Mets - or the Yankees, if they get involved.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers give Zito weekend deadline — The Rangers' have made an offer to Barry Zito to pitch for them in 2007, but the offer won't be around past the New Year. — Rangers GM Jon Daniels confirmed Wednesday that the team had placed a weekend deadline on its current offer to Zito and his representative Scott Boras.
Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
Murcer battles brain tumor — Yankee legend Bobby Murcer is scheduled to undergo surgery today in Houston for the removal of a brain tumor. — Murcer, 60, a Yankee institution as a player and broadcaster for 40 years, had been experiencing headaches and a loss of energy in recent days and …
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Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
Since Williams, no greater hitter than Gwynn … Tony Gwynn loved hitting so much, he visited the Hillerich & Bradsby factory more than once so he could handpick the billets of wood for his bats. His bats were his magic wands, and they had to feel right in those little hands of his.
Discussion:
Oriole Post
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David Gassko / Hardball Times:
DIPS, LIPS, and Hips — Thank Jay Jaffe for this column. Or, alternately, send your hate mail his way—either way, all that follows is due to him. — See, Jay e-mailed me about a week ago asking for some DIPS 3.0 numbers. I had actually calculated everything at the end of the season, but had forgotten about it.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Indians nearing deal with Foulke — Keith Foulke, conceivably the last addition to the Indians' new bullpen, continues to inch closer to Cleveland and a one-year deal. If an agreement is reached, it probably won't be announced until next week. — The deal is contingent on Foulke's physical exam …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Jack Magruder / East Valley Tribune:
Yankees want 3 pitchers in swap for Johnson — The New York Yankees are seeking a package of three young pitchers from the Diamondbacks for Randy Johnson, including at least one reliever, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations. — The Yankees have expressed interest …
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Sox sign Cintron to one-year deal — Infielder avoids arbitration with $1.9 million contract — Joe Crede became the White Sox lone remaining arbitration eligible player of originally seven possible candidates when infielder Alex Cintron agreed to a one-year, $1.9 million contract on Wednesday.
Discussion:
The Bard's Room
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Murray Chass / New York Times:
A Marriage Is a Partnership, Except in Baseball — On the Ilitch Holdings Web site, Marian Ilitch is listed as the company's vice chairwoman. Among the 15 "companies and venues" listed and described are the Detroit Tigers. A visitor to the site could easily conclude that Marian Ilitch is an officer …
John Dougherty / New York Times:
Arizona Holding Hope While Holding the Line — The last time the Arizona Diamondbacks took a chance on Randy Johnson, they were a second-year expansion team that soared to the playoffs in 1999. They won a championship in 2001 and ultimately fell into financial ruin.
