Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Mets could fit Rodriguez into infield — LIKE THIS STORY? — Now that Alex Rodriguez is a free agent, teams are meeting internally, trying to figure out how they can get him. (Hint: write the biggest check.) — The Angels, who badly need a power hitter, remain an obvious fit.
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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yankees will formally introduce Joe Girardi on Thursday — The Yankees will roll out the red carpet for their new manager Thursday, formally introducing Joe Girardi at a Yankee Stadium press conference. — The event, slated to begin at 1 p.m., will feature all the pomp and circumstance …
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MY BASEBALL BIAS
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:Little's resignation clears the way for Torre in LA
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Blogging Baseball
Associated Press:
Cameron fails stimulant test; suspended 25 games — SAN DIEGO — Mike Cameron, the Padres' Gold Glove center fielder, was suspended for the first 25 games of next season on Wednesday after testing positive a second time for a banned stimulant. — Cameron, who plans to file for free agency …
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Towers confident Maddux will be back with new deal — The Padres and Greg Maddux's agent have discussed new contractual terms, pegging Maddux's 2008 salary at or near the $10 million he earned last season. A deal would keep the No. 3 starter off the free-agent market.
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets pick up Alou's option, re-sign Easley — Leftfielder Moises Alou batted .341 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs for the Mets in 2007. (Newsday / Kathy Kmonicek) — The Mets announced today that they have picked up the $7.5-million option on Moises Alou and also re-signed Damion Easley …
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SILive
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MLB.com:
Mets pick up option on outfielder Moises Alou; Re-sign Damion Easley — The New York Mets today announced they have picked up the club's $7.5 million option on outfielder Moises Alou for 2008. In addition, the Mets re-signed free agent infielder Damion Easley to a one-year, $950,000 contract.
Discussion:
Take the 7 Train
Adam Rubin / Surfing the Mets:
Mets Conference Call Set for 4:15 (Updated) — The Mets have scheduled a 4:15 p.m. conference call to discuss Moises Alou and Damion Easley. It looks like a pretty safe bet then that both players will be returning in 2008. UPDATE: As expected, the Mets have picked up Alou's option and re-signed Easley.
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Andy Pettitte: I'll play for Yankees or no one — Andy Pettitte told a Houston television station on Tuesday that he would only play for the Yankees if he decides to return for the 2008 season. (Newsday / Paul J. Bereswill) — Andy Pettitte said during the season that he would either return to the Yankees or retire.
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Pettitte's '08 with Yankees or no one — Veteran lefty discusses future with Houston television station — NEW YORK — Andy Pettitte has already come to one important decision this offseason. The left-hander will either pitch for the Yankees in 2008, or he will not pitch at all.
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WasWatching.com
Associated Press:
Reds pick up slugger Dunn's $13M option for '08 — CINCINNATI — The Reds picked up outfielder Adam Dunn's contract option for $13 million on Wednesday, answering their most expensive offseason question by keeping their top power hitter. — The Reds also picked up the $1.85 million option …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Free-agent market could be kind to Cubs' Wood — When Kerry Wood filed for free agency last winter, he'd already said he felt an "obligation" to return to the Cubs and had "something to prove" after long stints on the disabled list. — When the Cubs bought out his $13.5 million option for $3 million …
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards hire Mozeliak to replace Jocketty — The Cardinals will announce John Mozeliak as their next general manager today at a 3 p.m. press conference after formally offering him the job Tuesday evening, club sources confirm. — Mozeliak accepted a three-year contract shortly after discussions broke …
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Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Baseball's Drug Testing Lacks Element of Surprise — Major League Baseball, bracing for the results of an internal investigation into steroid use, has continued to employ a drug-testing procedure that may allow players time to mask their use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Boston Globe:
Schilling seems headed for exit — Sox, pitcher see a deal as unlikely — Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling filed for free agency yesterday, after telling a radio audience that "there's a very realistic chance I won't ever play" for the team again. — Schilling is probably correct …
Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Late night appearances — Let the media commitments for the world champs begin. — Red Sox dancer and closer Jonathan Papelbon will be in New York this afternoon to tape an appearance for tonight's episode of the "Late Show with David Letterman" on WBZ-TV (Ch. 4, CBS) …
