Top News:
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.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
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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.
George King / New York Post:
JOE GOES HOLLYWOOD — TORRE AGREES TO MANAGE DODGERS — With Grady Little out of the way in L.A., Joe Torre is the Dodgers' first choice to take over the club. According to sources Torre has agreed in principle to a three-year deal worth $14.5 million and could be introduced tomorrow …
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:Yankees will formally introduce Joe Girardi on Thursday
Discussion:
MY BASEBALL BIAS
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:Little's resignation clears the way for Torre in LA
Discussion:
Blogging Baseball
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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MetsBlog.com, NY Daily News, Cardinals Diaspora, Talking Chop, MY BASEBALL BIAS, ShysterBall and the metropolitans
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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 …
Wallace Matthews / Newsday:Minaya should open Mets' vault for A-Rod
Discussion:
Archie Bunker's Army
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.
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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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.
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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.
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 …
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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.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Baseball Musings, Deadspin, 100% Injury Rate, ShysterBall and FanHouse
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) …
