Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sources: A-Rod was seeking $350M from Yankees … Before Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract with the Yankees earlier this week, the team was told that it would not be able to meet with the third baseman unless it presented an offer of at least $350 million, sources say.
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Tracy Ringolsby / Fox Sports:
Hot Stove about to hit Orlando — LIKE THIS STORY? — After giving up three of its top five pitching prospects in July of 2006 to acquire Livan Hernandez from Arizona, and then shelling out a two-year, $26 million deal to get Randy Johnson — bad back and all — to return, Arizona finds itself searching for rotation help.
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Brian Cashman says Robinson Cano will stay at second base — Brian Cashman says he hasn't started the process of landing a third-base replacement for Alex Rodriguez, but the Yankee GM insisted he doesn't expect to ask second baseman Robinson Cano to make the move across the diamond.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, YanksBlog.com, New York Post, Baseball Musings and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Bob Raissman / NY Daily News:
Michael Kay rips Joe Torre, but not on YES Network — Why was Michael Kay treading lightly on Alex Rodriguez and jolly-stomping Joe Torre? That is the question a caller to Kay's ESPN-1050 Tuesday soiree asked. — The inquiry agitated Mr. Kay. — "There are things about Joe Torre …
Discussion:
SportsJustice, Bugs & Cranks, FanHouse, The Joy of Sox, ShysterBall, WasWatching.com and New York Post
RELATED:
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:Girardi Will Wear Goal on His Back: No. 27
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Ed Price / NJ.com:
Yankees pick up Abreu's option — The Yankees have picked up the $16 million option for 2008 on right — fielder Bobby Abreu. A person informed of the decision, who asked not to — be named since the Yankees had not yet made an announcement, confirmed — the move today.
RELATED:
Bill James / Sports Illustrated:
Bill James: MLB's Top 50 Young Players — Groundbreaking analyst Bill James, who is Senior Baseball Operations Advisor for the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, has published this provocative new Young Talent Inventory in The Bill James Handbook 2008, available as of November 1, 2007.
Discussion:
Only Baseball Matters
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Bill James / Sports Illustrated:
Team-by-Team Talent Rankings — Groundbreaking analyst Bill James, who is senior baseball operations advisor for the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, has published this provocative Young Talent Inventory in The Bill James Handbook 2008, available as of Nov. 1, 2007.
Paul Meyer / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Manager decision possible Monday — Neal Huntington could be on the verge of making a decision about who will be the next manager. — Yesterday, he met with Cleveland third base coach Joel Skinner, who might have been the Pirates general manager's final interviewee for the position.
Discussion:
Bugs & Cranks
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Farrell turns down shot at Pirates' job — Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell released a statement through the Sox, saying he planned to stay with the club rather than pursue a chance to manage the Pittsburgh Pirates. His statement said:
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Associated Press:
Wakefield, Tavarez remain with Boston as team exercises options — BOSTON - The Boston Red Sox [team stats] exercised their 2008 options on righthanded pitchers Tim Wakefield [stats] and Julian Tavarez [stats] on Friday. — Wakefield matched his career high in wins with a 17-12 record …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Wake, Tavarez back — The Red Sox today exercised the 2008 contract options on righthanded pitchers Julian Tavarez and Tim Wakefield. — Wakefield went 17-12 record and a 4.76 ERA this past season. Wakefield was hampered by back and shoulder problems toward the end of the year …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Curt Schilling / 38 Pitches:
2003 Sox opening letter. — Here is the letter that arrived at our home a few hours prior to Theo, Jed and Larry opening up negotiations. Theo said he didn't have a problem with it being published and I think it's a pretty significant look into how the ownership and baseball operations people here in Boston do business.
Amy K. Nelson / ESPN:
Veteran Stairs, Blue Jays agree to 2-year contract … The Toronto Blue Jays agreed to terms with utility man Matt Stairs on Friday, signing the veteran to to a two-year deal, his agent said. Stairs, who will turn 40 in February, will get $3.5 million for two years, agent Bob Garber said.
Clark Spencer / MiamiHerald.com:
A-Rod in Marlins' future? — Florida's Larry Beinfest would not discount the idea of Alex Rodriguez playing in his hometown in 2008. — AIM cspencer@MiamiHerald.com — A-Rod to the Marlins? — Although it's a long shot, don't dismiss him entirely. — Five days after Alex Rodriguez opted …
RELATED:
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:Exhibition games vs. Yankees set for Dolphin Stadium
Discussion:
FishStripes
Andrew Ryan / Boston Globe:
Fans catch treat at Varitek home — NEWTON - This Halloween, Jason Varitek gave trick-or-treaters something infinitely more valuable than a king-sized Snickers bar. The Red Sox captain sat in a lawn chair at the top on his driveway and handed out autographs, signing baseballs, hats, shirts …
