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, MLB Rumors and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Big Unit-to-Arizona deal closer — Momentum continues to build toward Randy Johnson's return to Arizona, as one official involved in the discussions described the odds of such a deal as "good." It appears just a matter of time now before the Yankees ship the Big Unit back to the team from which they acquired him two years ago.
Discussion:
Off the Facade
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:Yankees Crave Young Pitchers, but Have One Eye on Clemens
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
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:
Banks of the Anacostia, The Beltway Boys, William F. Yurasko, MetsBlog.com and Federal Baseball
RELATED:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Mets interested in Okha for rotation — Like many baseball general managers, Omar Minaya has a comfort level with players he has employed before. Minaya knew Endy Chavez and Orlando Hernandez from his days with the Expos, and the outfielder and pitcher both played significant roles with the 2006 Mets.
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.
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:
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:
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 …
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.
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
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.
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners may not be done dealing — 'You're never done ... we'd like to get better,' Bavasi says — The Mariners may not be done adding players for 2007, as general manager Bill Bavasi said Tuesday the club still sees room for improvement. — "You're never done," Bavasi said.
RELATED:
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
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
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Deeble gets second spin as Lowell skipper — One of the men most responsible for the Red Sox [team stats]' pursuit of Daisuke Matsuzaka will be spending more time in the vicinity of the offseason's prize acquisition. — Jon Deeble, who tracked Matsuzaka for several years with Japan's Seibu Lions …
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
