Top News:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Are Close to a 3-Year Deal With Torrealba — One of the trademarks of Omar Minaya's three seasons as the Mets general manager has been his relentlessness in the free-agent market. He isolates an area of need, locks onto a player and does not move on until a deal is completed.
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Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Catcher signed by Mets — Colorado, which loses free agent Torrealba, braces for the departure of Matsui as well. — The Denver Post — After losing free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba to the New York Mets on Thursday, the Rockies are bracing for the loss of Kazuo Matsui.
Discussion:
Knuckle Curve
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:Rockies lose Torrealba
Discussion:
It's Mets For Me, Purple Row, GO METS DIE BRAVES, Archie Bunker's Army and ABC 7 Eyewitness News
Dan Lucero / Up in the Rockies:Saying a Fond Farewell to Yorvit
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
ESPN:
Bonds: The path to indictment … Late on the morning of Dec. 4, 2003, Barry Bonds arrived at the Phillip Burton Federal Building in San Francisco and was ushered into the courthouse by the lead investigator in the BALCO steroids case. Bonds was flanked by his lawyer and a bodyguard …
Discussion:
Giants Cove
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Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:
Barry Bonds is a Ham Sandwich — A grand jury, held open for nearly four years, handed down an indictment yesterday against Barry Bonds for perjury and obstruction. Bonds is accused of lying to a grand jury in the government's case against BALCO, specifically saying that he did not knowingly use steroids …
Tim Marchman / New York Sun:
Are Charges Against Bonds Necessary? — No one will, or should, have all that much sympathy for Barry Bonds. Yesterday in San Francisco, the best hitter in baseball history was indicted on four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice, and if convicted, will face up to 30 years in prison.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Regan v. Rupert / The Smoking Gun:Barry Bonds Indicted
Discussion:
Fox Sports, Deadspin, ESPN, Royals Authority, Bugs & Cranks, FanHouse, Siberian Baseball, MLB Trade Rumors, The Big Lead and Home Run Derby
Karla Schuster / Newsday:
Tax dispute could cost Jeter millions — Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter, known for making the rounds at the city's hot spots, is on the hot seat with New York State, which says he owes back taxes because he claimed he lived in Florida when he was really a resident of the Big Apple.
Discussion:
Fox News
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NY Daily News:
Taxman: Derek Jeter cheated New York out of millions — Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter cheated New York out of millions in taxes by claiming he lived in Florida when he really was living it up in Manhattan, state officials say. — The tax man is going after the All-Star slugger …
Chris Kline / Baseball America:
Arizona Fall League Top 20 Prospects — That wasn't exactly how things ended up however. — Last year, the league boasted such names as Royals righthander Luke Hochevar, Mets righthanders Philip Humber and Mike Pelfrey, as well as Devil Rays righthander Jeff Niemann.
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Mariano Rivera holding out for fourth year — Having seen the Yankees hand out a four-year contract to Jorge Posada and a 10-year deal to Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera has apparently decided that three years are not enough for him. — According to sources, the All-Star closer is now demanding …
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Lowell and behold, decision looms … Decision time is coming for Mike Lowell. — Although it is believed that the Red Sox [team stats]' current offer to the third baseman is more lucrative than the three-year, $ 36 million deal first put on the table at the GM meetings last week in Orlando …
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Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Hot Stove: Iguchi to test free agency — Second baseman to try his options after release from Phils — Teams searching for help at second base will have another potential option as Tadahito Iguchi is officially a free agent. — Philadelphia released Iguchi, who batted .301 while filling …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Notes: Izturis' option declined — Veteran shortstop joins free agent market — PITTSBURGH — As expected, the Pirates declined to pick up the 2008 option on Cesar Izturis' contract, officially making the infielder the third member of the 2007 club to file for free agency.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
A.S. / East Windup Chronicle:
East Windup Breakdown: Fukumori Kazuo (.. å'Œ.) — Fukumori Kazuo drew a few raised eyebrows when he announced he would challenge the major leagues and opt for free agency following the 2007 season. The past year was a frustrating one for Fukumori, as he suffered a season ending right (throwing) elbow in late July.
Discussion:
Royals Review
Neil Best / Watchdog:
YES benches SI's Tom Verducci — Tom Verducci is out as an analyst on YES's "Yankees Hot Stove.'' — Why? His recent, scathing column on SI.com regarding Joe Torre's departure might have had something to do with it. Actually . . . it had pretty much everything to do with it.
ESPN.com:
Nuxhall, youngest player in MLB history, dies at 79 — CINCINNATI — Joe Nuxhall, who was the youngest player in major league history and the beloved "old left-hander" on Cincinnati Reds radio broadcasts, died overnight following a bout with cancer, the team said Friday. He was 79.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Rogers voices desire to stay with Tigers — Free-agent southpaw indicates Detroit remains first choice — DETROIT — While Kenny Rogers and his agent gauge interest from other clubs in free agency, including a potential return to the Rangers, the free-agent pitcher still sounds …
Tim Dierkes / MLB Trade Rumors:
Odds and Ends: Kendall, Matsui, Fukumori — Here are some non A-Rod/Lowell rumors from today... - MLB.com's Adam McCalvy says the Brewers are interested in Jason Kendall. Kendall is somehow seeking a two-year deal. The Rockies are in on him as well. The Brewers still have Johnny Estrada, but they're not happy with him.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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