Top News:
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Torrealba back on wish list at catcher — While the Rockies may lose free-agent second baseman Kazuo Matsui, they have a second chance with Yorvit Torrealba. — Torrealba's three-year, $14.4 million deal with the New York Mets collapsed Saturday, and the Rockies haven't ruled out making another run at their starting catcher.
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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:
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets end talks with catcher Torrealba — Club official says deal was never a given, despite agreement — NEW YORK — The Mets' search for a starting catcher, seemingly complete as late as Thursday night, has been renewed because the club no longer is moving toward signing free-agent backstop Yorvit Torrealba as it had planned.
New York Post:
MARIANO RIVERA EXPECTED TO TAKE THE YANKEES' 3-YEAR OFFER — Despite not getting the fourth year he desired, closer Mariano Rivera is expected to accept the Yankees' three-year, $45 million offer early next week. — After returning from the Dominican Republic tonight …
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Yankees' backup plan for Mariano Rivera is Francisco Cordero — While the Yankees wait on closer Mariano Rivera to formally accept their offer, they have taken steps toward addressing the rest of their bullpen, working toward bringing Luis Vizcaino back while identifying Francisco Cordero …
Wayne Coffey / NY Daily News:
Haunted by collapse, Willie Randolph says Mets lacked 'killer instinct' — As darkness slips over the suburbs, the manager of the New York Mets is driving down a narrow, leafy road in northern Bergen County, the trees thick with golden leaves, his mind cluttered with a much less glorious residue …
Sid Hartman / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Moss' departure left void for Culpepper — As Daunte Culpepper returns to the Metrodome today, you can't help but wonder what things would be like if he and Randy Moss were still together here. — The fact that Daunte Culpepper will start today for the Oakland Raiders at the Metrodome brought …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
A's pull out of running for Bonds — LIKE THIS STORY? — The A's were Barry Bonds' best hope, the team that appeared most interested in signing him. — No more. — The A's, sources say, no longer are considering Bonds, who on Thursday was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice.
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Fishing for a big Marlin — Cabrera would be offseason's best catch — He is the sensation of the Hot Stove season. A little pudgy. A little carefree. There's a lot of Miguel being Miguel. But Miguel Cabrera might be emerging as the best pure hitter in the National League.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
NY Daily News:
A-Rod, Barry Bonds are faces of Major League Baseball — That was the commissioner's proud announcement as he exited the owners' meetings in Naples, Fla. on Thursday - that his sport, which had $1.2 billion in revenues in 1993, was now over $6 billion and looking to draw over 80 million fans next year.
Eduardo A. Encina / St. Petersburg Times:
Maddon rips Young snubs — ST. PETERSBURG - Joe Maddon spent the late part of the season campaigning for Rays RF Delmon Young to receive consideration for Rookie of the Year. — Young held up his end in the "Vote Delmon" campaign, leading AL rookies in RBIs, hits, total bases and outfield assists …
Discussion:
DRaysBay
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Glavine's agent says deal with Braves close — Tom Glavine's anticipated reunion with the Braves could be finalized today, the veteran pitcher's representative said Saturday after negotiations brought the sides close to an agreement on what's likely to be a one-year contract worth about $8 million.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
New York Times:
An Agent Fighting Steroids Harvests Trash and Turmoil — Jeff Novitzky is an unlikely contender for the role of Eliot Ness of the steroids age. He is an I.R.S. special agent, a position that is rarely glamorous. The work is often tedious and dull, poring over bank records and tax returns, and writing reports.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Larry Dobrow / CBS SportsLine.com:
A-Rod's new deal all about the little things — Oh, man, they showed him. They showed him but good. — When his new 10-year contract is officially announced in the next few days, Alex Rodriguez will return, gilded hat in hand, to the Yankees of New York. He will have swallowed his pride and deflated his ego.
