Top News:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Report: Mets targeting Eckstein — Career shortstop would convert to second base in New York — NEW YORK — Thinking — and acting — outside the box, as general manager Omar Minaya says he likes to do, the Mets are pursuing a career shortstop to play second base and provide some of the fire the team lacked last season.
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets eye David Eckstein — Mets officials dined with free-agent infielder David Eckstein in Greenwich, Conn., this week in the hopes he'll fill the second base vacancy in Flushing. — By employing the same kind of treatment that wooed Billy Wagner and Tom Glavine during previous offseasons …
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets never made Paul Lo Duca an offer — Paul Lo Duca's representative wants to make one thing clear: The Mets never, ever made the catcher an offer. Not even for one year at $1 million. — "Paul is disappointed," agent Andrew Mongelluzzi said. "New York is his home. He's real fond of New York.
ESPN:
Reports: Yanks' interest in Lowell as 1B waning — While several media outlets are reporting that the New York Yankees are offering free agent third baseman Mike Lowell a luctrative deal to play first base, it appears the Yankees' interest in the World Series MVP may be waning.
Discussion:
FanHouse
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NY Daily News:
Joe Girardi's visit with Mariano Rivera good sign for Yankees — There could be a thaw in the contract negotiations between the Yankees and Mariano Rivera. — Sources familiar with both the club's and the closer's thinking said Friday there were increasing signs that Rivera will accept …
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Sox, Lowell keep talking — Lucchino: 'We want him back' … The Red Sox [team stats] continued to speak with representatives for free agent third baseman Mike Lowell yesterday, but team sources said that details about how the talks are proceeding and whether the club is pressing for a resolution are private.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Lowell honored at Disney parade — World Series MVP enjoys day at Magic Kingdom in Florida — BOSTON — Free-agent third baseman Mike Lowell was able to take a little break from the stress of contract negotiations by serving as the honorary grand marshal in Friday's Disney Dreams Come True parade at the Magic Kingdom in Florida.
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
Newsday:
Mets, Yorvit talks break down — The Mets' negotiations with Yorvit Torrealba collapsed on Saturday and the free-agent catcher will not be headed to Shea for next season after all. — The two sides already had agreed on a three-year contract worth $14.4-million and it appeared …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MetsBlog.com, Mets Fever, Faith and Fear in Flushing, The Ropolitans and Mets Merized Online
Jon Paul Morosi / Detroit Free Press:
Rogers fires agent Boras — likely signals lefty's return to Tigers — Kenny Rogers fired Scott Boras as his agent Friday, a development that could hasten Rogers' return to the Tigers for the 2008 season. — Rogers is now representing himself, the Tigers confirmed.
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Keith Law / ESPN:
Plenty of talent available for a reasonable price … One common theme voiced by front-office executives at the GM meetings in Orlando was that the barren free-agent market would generate more trade activity. With that in mind, here are 10 players — currently out of favor or simply out of room …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Rumors of Drug Use Have Damaged for Decades — Barry Bonds may go to jail if a jury believes he lied about using steroids. Many other players could face suspensions next season if George Mitchell identifies them in his coming investigative report on steroids in baseball.
Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Astros acquire Villarreal from Braves — Club initiates contact with second baseman Iguchi — HOUSTON — The Astros acquired reliever Oscar Villarreal from Atlanta in exchange for center fielder Josh Anderson on Friday in a move to bolster the back end of the bullpen.
Fox Sports:
Bonds and Rose, baseball's modern villains — LIKE THIS STORY? — In baseball, villains are as much a part of the game's history as home runs and strikeouts. — Over the years, you've had superstars who also doubled as racists (Ty Cobb, Cap Anson), game-fixers (Hal Chase, the 1919 White Sox) …
Joe Pawlikowski / MLB Trade Rumors:
Miguel Carbera To Drop Weight — Miguel Cabrera has spoken to LasMayores.com, the Spanish version of MLB.com. Mike Phillips of the Miami Herald relays the information. Apparently, Cabrera is at least saying that he plans to get into better shape this off-season so that he can …
