Top News:
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 …
Discussion:
SILive
RELATED:
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.
Mets Blog:
ALOU AND EASLEY BACK AT SHEA — Two of the oldest Mets will be back for another season at Shea. — The team today announced it has picked up its $7.5 million option on 41-year-old outfielder Moises Alou for 2008 and re-signed soon-to-be 38-year-old free agent infielder Damion Easley to a one-year, $950,000 contract.
Discussion:
Mets Fever
USA Today:
AL Elias rankings — American League slugger David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox led all major league players with a 100 ranking. Other top performers at their positions included Jorge Posada of the New York Yankees, Michael Young of the Texas Rangers and Johan Santana of the Minnesota Twins.
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.
RELATED:
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
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.
RELATED:
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, NY Daily News, Cardinals Diaspora, Talking Chop, MetsBlog.com, MY BASEBALL BIAS and ShysterBall
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
BoSox's 2007 final-out Series ball goes missing — Last ball goes from Varitek to Papelbon to mystery — BOSTON (AP) — The last ball from Boston's 2007 World Series victory might not get back to the Red Sox, after all. — Jason Varitek caught the final strikeout Sunday night to complete …
Terence Moore / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Time for Braves to get Griffey — Let's try this again. After all, we've typed these words before, but never have they made more sense. The Braves need a center fielder until their youngsters are ready, and veteran Ken Griffey Jr. loves Bobby Cox, the accomplished Braves manager …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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.
