Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Phils get ex-Astros closer Lidge in 5-player deal — ORLANDO, Fla. — The Philadelphia Phillies acquired reliever Brad Lidge from the Houston Astros in a five-player trade on Wednesday night. — The Phillies sent outfielder Michael Bourn, pitcher Geoff Geary and minor leaguer Mike Costanzo to Houston …
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Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Phillies acquire Lidge in 5-player trade — ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies became the first team to make a big move at the general managers' meetings, acquiring closer Brad Lidge from Houston along with infielder Eric Bruntlett on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
I've Made a Huge Tiny Mistake, Lone Star Ball, MLB Columnists, The700Level.com and Phuture Phillies
MLB.com:
Phillies acquire Lidge from Houston — Righthander Brad Lidge and infielder Eric Bruntlett were acquired by the Phillies from Houston in exchange for outfielder Michael Bourn, righthander Geoff Geary and minor league third baseman Mike Costanzo, Senior Vice President & General Manager Pat Gillick announced tonight.
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
All quiet in Lowell talks — A-Rod whispers in background … ORLANDO, Fla. - Day 3 of talks between Mike Lowell's representatives and the Red Sox [team stats] came and went yesterday without any concrete progress to report, other than continued hopefulness from both sides.
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Mike Petraglia / MLB.com:
Lowell, Timlin file for free agency — World Series MVP, club trying to hammer out new contract — BOSTON — The Red Sox continue to work on getting a deal done for Mike Lowell, even after the third baseman and World Series MVP filed for free agency on Tuesday.
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Red Sox Monster
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:Earning his keep — Schilling stays, with incentives; Sox still pitching with Lowell
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Rays look East to bolster pen — LAKE BUENA VISTA - The Rays' search for relief help may again lead to Japan. — Right-handers Kazuo Fukumori and Masahide Kobayashi are among several pitchers eligible to leave as free agents, and the Rays have been linked to both in Japanese media reports.
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DRaysBay
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Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Rays' doors are open to all offers … LAKE BUENA VISTA — The Rays didn't trade Scott Kazmir to the Mets on Tuesday. Or Delmon Young to the Giants. Or Rocco Baldelli to the Twins. Or Carl Crawford to any of a half-dozen supposedly interested teams. — But that doesn't mean they someday wouldn't.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats in market for outfield, pitching help — Hunter, Baldelli, Rowand, Andruw Jones all possibilities — WASHINGTON — The Nationals made progress under manager Manny Acta in 2007. They avoided a last-place finish for the first time since '03, when they were known as the Expos, and improved their defense and pitching.
Discussion:
District of Baseball
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals target Gomez, Pelfrey — Outfielder, righty would help add youth to roster — WASHINGTON — The Nationals are not close to making any deals at the General Managers Meetings in Orlando, Fla., but, according to a baseball source, the team has its sights on Mets outfielder Carlos Gomez and right-hander Mike Pelfrey.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
ESPN.com:
Clemens to work for Astros, may be done playing — ORLANDO, Fla. — Roger Clemens is ready to join the Houston Astros — as a consultant. — In a sign that Clemens' pitching career could be over, his agent told the Astros on Wednesday that the seven-time Cy Young winner is set to start his personal-services contract with the team.
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Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers need extra dollars to make sense — Whenever the Texas Lottery grows above $10 million, I pick up a few tickets. (Who wants to waste their time with a piddling amount like $4 or $5 million?) By the time I get home, I've got the annual payment figured out, the money divvied up and my new lifestyle already settled.
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Reliever Dotel joins free-agent field — Available players can start talking with other clubs Tuesday — ATLANTA — If Octavio Dotel returns to the Braves for the 2008 season, his salary will likely be less than he'd hoped. — As expected the Braves declined his $5.5 million option …
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Rogers to test free-agent market — Veteran southpaw hasn't ruled out return to Detroit — DETROIT — The Tigers received the answer they hoped to hear from Kenny Rogers, at least in terms of whether he wants to pitch again. Now, they're worried about where he'll pitch again …
Discussion:
TigerBlog
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Yankees reportedly interested in Tejada — O's shortstop could be fallback for New York if they strike out on Miguel Cabrera — Lake Buena Vista, Fla. - Though it's much too early to fit Miguel Tejada for pinstripes, it's not entirely out of the question either.
Discussion:
Oriole Post
