Top News:
Associated Press:
Yankees, D-backs agree on Johnson trade — NEW YORK (AP) - The Yankees and Arizona reached a tentative agreement Thursday on a trade that would send Randy Johnson back to Arizona, a move that allows the Big Unit's agents to get him a contract extension. — The teams informed …
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Michael Morrissey / New York Post:
YANKS, DOUG REACH TENTATIVE DEAL — While no agreement was reached regarding Randy Johnson yesterday, the Yankees did make one move. They reached a tentative deal with first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, and he will be undergoing a physical today. — Mientkiewicz, a former Met who recorded …
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Structure of Unit deal agreed upon — D-backs likely to get 72-hour window to open extension talks — PHOENIX — The D-backs and Yankees have agreed on the structure of a deal that would send Randy Johnson back to Arizona, a source with knowledge of the negotiations said.
Discussion:
A Red Sox Fan …
Sports Illustrated:
Getting defensive — Report: Yanks reach tentative deal with Mientkiewicz — NEW YORK (Ticker) — The New York Yankees apparently have found a defensive caddie for Jason Giambi. — The Yankees have reached a tentative deal with first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, the New York Post reported Thursday on its Web site.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
NY Daily News:
Pods' payoff pitch to Unit — The Yankees are still working to trade Randy Johnson, and while the Diamondbacks still seem like the Big Unit's most likely destination, the Padres have made what a Southern California newspaper termed their "final offer" for Johnson.
Amy K. Nelson / ESPN:
Agent says 2B Loretta will sign with Astros … Mark Loretta will sign with the Houston Astros on Thursday, his agent said. — The agreed-to deal is for one year at $2.5 million, but could be worth as much as $3.5 million with incentives, said Loretta's agent, Bob Garber.
Discussion:
Mets Today, The Feeding the Monster Blog, Brew Crew Ball, Baseball Musings and MLB Trade Rumors
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Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Agent: Astros, Loretta agree to deal — Team source says contractual issues must be resolved — HOUSTON — Infielder Mark Loretta had offers from two Texas teams but decided to sign with the Astros, his agent, Bob Garber, said on Thursday. However, a team source said the deal …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Tom Withers / Associated Press:
Foulke and Indians finalize $5 million, 1-year deal; Mulder still in mix — CLEVELAND (AP) — Keith Foulke wants to be a closer again. The Cleveland Indians will give him the chance. — The free agent reliever finalized a $5 million, one-year contract with the club Thursday, a deal both sides hope turns into a longer partnership.
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Associated Press:
Foulke signs with Indians, getting chance to close — CLEVELAND — Keith Foulke wants to be a closer again. The Cleveland Indians will give him the chance. — The free agent reliever finalized a $5 million, one-year contract with the club Thursday, a deal both sides hope turns into a longer partnership.
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Tribe irons out deal to bring in Foulke — Reliever Keith Foulke and the Indians have come to terms on a one-year deal that will pay him $5 million and $2 million in incentives. — Foulke, 34, underwent a physical Tuesday in Cleveland. — "All is well and good," said agent Dan Horwits, when asked if Foulke passed the physical.
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Mets target free-agent pitchers — The Mets are open to any and all ideas when it comes to improving their starting rotation. But right now, the most likely path to an upgrade appears to be free agency. — While most of the big names have signed, the Mets have interest in Tony Armas Jr. …
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
One man's Hall-of-Fame ballot — Way back when I was a young baseball writer, I thought voting for the Hall of Fame would be easy. — Once I became a 10-year member of the Baseball Writers Association of America, I would vote only for the very best. — I would be a strict constructionalist …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Reports: Yankees to sign Mientkiewicz — Addition of veteran shifts Giambi into full-time DH role in '07 — NEW YORK — The Yankees have reached terms on a tentative deal with first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, the New York Daily News and New York Post reported Thursday.
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Andrew Baggarly / Mercury News:
Zito tries new colors — MEANWHILE, BONDS' CONTRACT APPEARS STUCK ON DETAILS — For $126 million, the Giants are getting more than a pitcher in Barry Zito. They're getting a pitch man. — ``Oakland fans, if you guys are bored while the A's are out of town, come on over,'' Zito said Wednesday.
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Newest Oriole Huff happy to be here … When Aubrey Huff passed his physical yesterday, finalized a three-year, $20 million deal and was introduced as the newest Oriole, it likely represented the last major move for the club in a busy offseason. — The Orioles signed nine free agents, including two of their own, and made two trades.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Utility player gets $4 million, two-year deal — Told for years he was too small to play in the big leagues, Jamey Carroll is enjoying a week too good to be true. The Rockies' utility player signed a two-year, $4 million contract with a club option for a third season Wednesday …
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Sox set to sign Pineiro to staff — In the opinion of his former pitching coach, signing Joel Pineiro is a good gamble because he could be a "high-reward guy." — According to a team source, the Red Sox are expected to soon finalize a one-year deal worth $4 million pending a physical …
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
