Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Huff, Orioles close to three-year deal — The Orioles, thwarted in earlier attempts to add a top slugger, are close to signing free agent Aubrey Huff to a three-year contract worth at least $18 million, FOXSports.com has learned. — Huff, who recently turned 30, will be the Orioles' second …
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles reach agreement with Huff … The Orioles reached an agreement early this morning on a three-year contract with free agent Aubrey Huff, several industry sources confirmed today. — Huff, a 30-year-old slugger who can play first and third base and both corner outfield spots …
Discussion:
Oriole Post
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
In search of bat, O's make Huff an offer — Still looking to add an impact bat to the middle of their lineup, the Orioles made a contract offer yesterday to Aubrey Huff, one of the most accomplished players left on the free- agent market. — Exact details of the contract offer are unknown …
ESPN:
Orioles reportedly reach agreement with Huff — The Orioles have reached agreement with free-agent utilityman Aubrey Huff, the Baltimore Sun reported Saturday, citing several industry sources. — The offer is believed to be for three years and $20 million, the newspaper reported.
Discussion:
Bucco Wire
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Solid Witt pitched with guts, savvy — Longtime Ranger held his own with league's best — The Rangers were 44-44 and six games out of first place on July 13, 1997, when they sent Bobby Witt to the mound to face the division-leading Seattle Mariners at the old Kingdome.
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
IN THE 'ZONA — UNIT-TO-D'BACKS DOWN TO THE MONEY — THE Yankees and Diamondbacks have inched closer to a Randy Johnson trade, and there is now such momentum, executives from both organizations strongly believe a deal will ultimately be completed despite what one termed "a lot of issues to resolve."
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
Dan Benton / Off the Facade:
Yankees, Diamondbacks Agree to Trade — There had been rumors for days and many thought the deal was falling through. That was not the case as the New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a trade that will send Randy Johnson back to Arizona. — This has not yet been announced, so yes you've heard it here first.
Marcus Hayes / Philly.com:
Howard fires agent; new deal could come soon — In what could be a significant move in the pursuit of a big payday, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has dismissed agent Larry Reynolds. — According to the Phillies, Howard, who won the 2006 National League MVP in his first full season, is looking for new representation.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Patrick Reusse / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Zito deal gives 126 million reasons to expect Santana will be gone — The lefty's Giants contract means Johan Santana's price tag will be well out of reach of the Twins' budget. — The Twins' offseason officially became depressing on Thursday. This happened when Barry Zito …
Joe Posnanski / Kansas City Star:
Pos-itive Royals thoughts — WARNING: The following column contains blatantly positive comments about the Kansas City Royals, including compliments of the Glass family, continuing belligerent optimism about the Gil Meche signing and a closer look at how general manager Dayton Moore intends …
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Bob Elliott / Toronto Sun:As 2006 heads back to the dugout, a quick look back at some of …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Fox Sports:
Signing doesn't make sense for Zito, Giants — In the run-up to his recent signing, Barry Zito said his aim was to join a team with a legitimate shot at winning the World Series. However, his recent decision to ink with the San Francisco Giants suggests other priorities.
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
Associated Press:
AP: Bulked-up Pedro still recovering — SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez is recovering well from rotator cuff surgery, but the ace right-hander still doesn't plan to return to the mound until July or August. — "The progress has been excellent," …
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Keith Reed / Boston Globe:
Dice-K is already pitching for Sox — in Japanese ads — Team hopes to exploit star's power to gain marketing clout over there — Newly minted Red Sox hurler Daisuke Matsuzaka donned a Red Sox uniform to make his latest pitch in Japan. — The Japanese baseball star, also known as …
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baseballthinkfactory.org:
Reader Comments and Retorts — Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
The wild and wacky from 2006 … Once again this year, baseball proved that truth is stranger than sci-fi, stranger than a Britney Spears marriage, stranger even than Nicole Ritchie's interpretation of her GPS instructions. — So with 2007 lurking over the horizon, let's look back at the Strange But True Feats of the Year:
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Josh Suchon / Mercury News:
A's have options to fill Zito's spot — KENNEDY, SAARLOOS, HALSEY TOP CANDIDATES — Preparation for life after Barry Zito started at the 2005 All-Star break, when the A's acquired Joe Kennedy in a trade for fan favorite Eric Byrnes. — The future Zito-less rotation was also evident …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
