Top News:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Red Sox sit down with Boras — Agent pitches Rodriguez to Epstein at meetings — ORLANDO, Fla. - Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and his staff headed into a meeting with agent Scott Boras last night as good listeners. — There was no need to jump feetfirst into the Alex Rodriguez sweepstakes.
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Cashman unable to wrangle Lowell from Red Sox — With Mike Lowell apparently headed back to the Red Sox, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman will have to pursue a trade to replace Alex Rodriguez at third base. (AP Photo) — ORLANDO, Fla. - Mike Lowell's return to the Red Sox appears inevitable …
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.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
If Rodriguez Price Falls, Mets Might Be Interested — The Mets had a meeting Wednesday with Scott Boras, the agent for third baseman Alex Rodriguez, staying on the fringes of negotiations for the marquee free agent of the off-season. — There are no indications that the Mets …
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.
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster
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, Phuture Phillies and philly.com
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.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cabrera's status a hot topic at meetings — LIKE THIS STORY? — ORLANDO, Fla. - The Marlins are almost certain to trade third baseman Miguel Cabrera. The question is where. — The Cabrera talks intensified at the general managers' meetings on Wednesday, with the Angels emerging as a particularly intriguing possibility.
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Sun-Sentinel:
Trade talks focus on Cabrera, not Willis — LAKE BUENA VISTA - Multiple teams continued engaging the Marlins in trade discussions at the general managers' meetings Wednesday. — For now, those talks are centered on just one of the Marlins' two priciest commodities.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:Yankees just one of 10 teams in hunt for Miguel Cabrera
Discussion:
FishStripes
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Shortstop crop is thinning out — LAKE BUENA VISTA - The Rays weren't looking to spend a great deal on a shortstop. But with potentially attractive veterans Omar Vizquel and Juan Uribe coming off the already thin free-agent market Wednesday, it seems even more likely they'll have to make a deal …
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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:
Capitol Punishment
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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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Mike Berardino / Sun-Sentinel:
Beinfest an A1 dealer — Sure, it's depressing to see Miguel Cabrera's name out there on the trading block, but at least Larry Beinfest has been here before. — If nothing else, Marlins fans (both of them) should take solace in that. They also should trust Beinfest's track record …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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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Tim Dierkes / MLB Trade Rumors:Latest Braves Rumors: Glavine, DeJesus, Dotel
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Associated Press
