Top News:
USA Today:
Source tells USA TODAY Yankees will trade Johnson to Arizona this week — The Arizona Diamondbacks expect to complete a deal with the New York Yankees by the end of the week to bring back pitcher Randy Johnson, according to a high-ranking Diamondbacks official familiar with the negotiations.
Discussion:
6-4-2, DRays Bay, Pride of the Yankees, Baseball Musings, The Big Lead, The LoHud Yankees Blog and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Bryan Marquard / Boston Globe:
At 112, a Sox fan to the end — State's oldest person dies having shared team's triumph — Kathryn Gemme touched the World Series trophy in 2005 as state Senator Marc R. Pacheco looked on. (SARAH BR EZINSKY FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE) — At 109, Kathryn Gemme had been a Red Sox fan longer …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Lifelong Red Sox fan dies at 112 — MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. — Kathryn Gemme, a lifelong Red Sox fan who followed the team since the days of Babe Ruth, has died. She was 112. — Gemme died at the Nemasket Healthcare Center in Middleborough on Friday, according to the O'Neill Funeral Home.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats' Johnson May Miss First Month — Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson is well enough to fly, well enough to walk without crutches, well enough to travel with his wife for a Las Vegas getaway, as he did this week. But he still has a limp — favoring the right leg he broke …
Discussion:
The Beltway Boys, Banks of the Anacostia, William F. Yurasko, MetsBlog.com and Federal Baseball
RELATED:
Roch Kubatko / Baltimore Sun:
Perlozzo savors the power of lunch — Dining and joking with Huff pay off — A pre-Christmas lunch for Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo consisted of breaking bread and cracking jokes. And it went a long way toward satisfying the team's hunger for a power-hitting outfielder and first baseman.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
RELATED:
Rkubatko / Roch Around the Clock:Standing in a lineup — No, this isn't another entry about the Bengals.
Discussion:
Oriole Post
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
O'Dowd: Bench help on the way — With two 40-man spots open, the Rockies' roster roulette is close to stopping on a left-handed bat off the bench and a catcher. — Colorado has agreed in principle with a reserve hitter, though general manager Dan O'Dowd said Tuesday he wasn't ready to reveal the player.
Marc Normandin / Baseball Prospectus:
Player Profile — Coco Crisp — After acquiring one of the top prospects in the minors in Andy Marte for Edgar Renteria last offseason, the Boston Red Sox shipped Marte and Kelly Shoppach to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for David Riske, Josh Bard, and Coco Crisp …
Discussion:
Fenway Fables
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Lawrence in team's sights — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates are among the finalists to sign free agent Brian Lawrence, who twice was the San Diego Padres' opening-day starter but missed all of last season after having shoulder surgery.
ESPN:
After repeated denials, Saban takes Bama job — Nick Saban has accepted an offer from Alabama to coach the Crimson Tide and leave the Miami Dolphins, two weeks after declaring "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach." — Saban's agreement with Alabama is for eight years and a fully-guaranteed $32 million …
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Indians sign infielders Rivas, Ginter — Minor League contracts include invitation to Spring Training — CLEVELAND — Looking for a little more depth in their middle infield, the Indians signed Luis Rivas and Keith Ginter to Minor League deals on Tuesday with invites to Spring Training camp.
RELATED:
Baseball America:
Atlanta Braves — Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.
Lindsey Frazier / MLB.com:
Gear up for baseball at fan fests — January, February set to be a fun-filled time for fans of all ages — As many baseball fans across the country battle frigid temperatures and are stuck shoveling knee-deep snow from their driveways, it's sometimes hard to forget that Spring Training is just two short months away.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
John Walsh / Hardball Times:
We Blew It — OK, everybody who thought that last year's trade of Alfonso Soriano for Brad Wilkerson was a good deal for the Rangers, hold up your hand. C'mon, get 'em up—don't worry, you're not alone. My own mitt is sheepishly raised. When the trade was made about a year ago …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Bill Simmons / ESPN:
Go see Cal? Hardly — Editor's note: This article originally ran on September 28, 2001. — For the past few months, one of the constant refrains in every American League city has been, "This is your final chance to see Cal Ripken Jr. play." Here in Boston, the Orioles cruised into town …
Discussion:
Off Wing Opinion
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers have new expectations in '07 — Detroit will try to prove 2006 World Series berth wasn't a fluke — DETROIT — The Tigers' turnaround made history in 2006. In 2007, the Tigers get to deal with the aftermath. — No matter how many times the Tigers play in October from here …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys

