Top News:
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Drew Is a Red Sox in Waiting ... and Waiting — J. D. Drew could not be reached for comment yesterday. He changed his telephone number or had a problem with his phone service, because the automated message said his number had been disconnected or was not in service.
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Evaluating the signing of Fick — Nationals beat reporter Bill Ladson answers fans' questions … Do you think the signing of Robert Fick was a good move? He said he feels he can get at least 300 at-bats this year. — Jason D., Tustin, Calif.
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Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Gwynn, Ripken will fall short of perfect — NEW YORK - Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. will fall short of becoming the first unanimous Hall of Fame picks, and Mark McGwire doesn't figure to be anywhere close to the necessary 75 percent when 2007 voting is released Tuesday.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
RELATED:
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Uribe's accuser demands thorough investigation … SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Chicago White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe hopes his legal troubles in the Dominican Republic don't affect his reporting to spring training next month, but his accuser has other plans.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
RELATED:
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
White Sox GM stands by Uribe — Williams confident shortstop will be cleared of charges — After sorting through the seemingly ever-changing information concerning Juan Uribe and his ongoing legal troubles in the Dominican Republic, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams reiterated his strong support for the embattled shortstop.
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Notes: Griffey healing as expected — Junior's broken left hand to be reexamined in roughly 10 days — CINCINNATI — The latest tests on Reds center fielder Ken Griffey Jr.'s broken left hand appeared to be positive. — The club revealed on Monday that Griffey underwent X-rays …
RELATED:
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Rox working on deal with Lopez — Former All-Star catcher could compete for starting job — DENVER — Javy Lopez's desire to regain his All-Star form behind the plate could change the complexion of the Rockies' catching position. — Lopez, 36, and the Rockies were still ironing out the details of a one-year contract on Monday.
RELATED:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Littlefield: Trade for bat still possible — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — They are, without question, the burning questions of the Pirates' still-sleepy offseason: — Will they acquire that coveted left-handed power bat? — And might it be Atlanta Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche?
Fox Sports:
Why Rice deserves a Cooperstown plaque — In baseball, collective attention is gradually shifting from hot stove goings-on to annual Hall of Fame debates. — In recent years, one recurring and particularly feverish argument is the one over the status of Jim Rice.
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Who's going to hit cleanup? — Rangers beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers fans' questions — Sorry the mailbag has been away for the holidays. But we're back and so is Monday Morning Manager at the Postcards from Elysian Fields. Just click right here at MLBlogs.com and let everybody know your opinion on the Rangers.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Tempered Expectations for Igawa's Bronx Arrival — The Yankees celebrated the arrival of a new left-handed strikeout king yesterday. His first name is pronounced K, as in the letter for strikeout on a scorecard, and he led the Japan Central League in strikeouts in three of the last five seasons.
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Wheeler inks one-year deal with Astros — Right-hander, Houston avoid arbitration with agreement — HOUSTON — The Astros signed right-hander Dan Wheeler to a one-year contract worth $2.1 million plus incentives on Monday, avoiding arbitration with the setup man.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers still waiting on lefty Mulder — Cardinals expected to get chance to match any offer — ARLINGTON — The Rangers continue to be left hanging by pitcher Mark Mulder and his agent, Gregg Clifton. — The Rangers made a two-year offer last month and have yet to receive an answer.
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Giants' free agents not officially signed — Contract language holding up finalizing nine players' deals — NEW YORK — Though all the focus recently has been on Barry Bonds, the San Francisco Giants have not officially signed any of the nine free agents they came to agreements with this offseason.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Wayne Graczyk / search.japantimes.co.jp:
A busy couple of weeks in baseball despite the holidays — Happy New Year to all Baseball Bullet-In readers, and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2007. — We've been away for two weeks, so we'll start off the first column of this year with a review of some of the off-beat topics …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
