Top News:
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Linebrink near deal with White Sox — Righty reliever reportedly agrees to four-year contract — CHICAGO — One of baseball's shakiest bullpens from 2007 appears close to adding a major stabilizing force for the '08 campaign. — According to a report on Wednesday night from ESPN 1000 in Chicago …
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ESPN:
Former Twins star Hunter agrees to 5-year contract with Angels — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Outfielder Torii Hunter and the Los Angeles Angels reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday night on a five-year contract thought to be worth at least $80 million. — "They play the game the right way," Hunter said.
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
A marriage made in heaven — Hunter agrees to five-year contract with Angels — ANAHEIM — In a move that even stunned the central figure involved, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim agreed on Wednesday night to a five-year deal with free-agent center fielder Torii Hunter pending completion of a physical exam.
ESPN.com:
Reports: Linebrink agrees to deal with White Sox — The Chicago White Sox are wheeling and dealing. — Just days after acquiring shortstop Orlando Cabrera from the Los Angeles Angels, the White Sox have agreed to terms with free agent reliever Scott Linebrink, according to Chicago-area media reports.
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Redleg Nation
Jay Mariotti / Chicago Sun Times:
Sox too cheap for bidding wars — After leading fans, media to believe they were bringing Hunter to The Cell, South Siders lose one-sided bidding war to Angels — Shocked? What is Ken Williams so "shocked" about? In the Reinsdorfian tradition, the White Sox underbid for a major free agent …
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels get Torii Hunter — Free-agent center fielder agrees to a five-year deal — The Angels pulled off their second stunner of the week late Wednesday night, signing free-agent center fielder Torii Hunter to a five-year deal that is believed to be worth about $80 million.
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Hunter picks Angels over White Sox — Williams optimistic he can land player to make an impact — CHICAGO — Some time after midnight on Thanksgiving, the White Sox primary free-agent target during this current offseason elected to sign a five-year, $90 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Joe Christensen / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Do the math: Twins, Santana a long ways off — The team's five-year, $93 million offer this month fell well short of what the two-time Cy Young Award winner is seeking. — The Twins have begun listening to trade talks involving Johan Santana after exchanging recent contract proposals …
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Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Hot Stove Daily: New York Mets — Editor's note: Yahoo! Sports will examine the offseason plans of every MLB team before the Dec. 3-6 winter meetings. Our series continues with the New York Mets. — 2007 record:88-74 — Finish:Second place in the National League East — 2007 Opening-day payroll:$116 million
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Santana: No sticker shock — Sox would kick tires … The word "if" no longer appears to be attached to the idea of the Minnesota Twins trading Johan Santana. — It seems to be a matter of when - and, yes, the Red Sox [team stats] will be at or near the front of the line when it comes …
Keith Groller / Morning Call:
Kinder Schmidt connects with fans — Baseball Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt speaks to the media during his visit at LifePath in Hanover Township Wednesday. (Allentown Morning Call / November 22, 2007) — While compiling a Hall of Fame career with the Phillies, Mike Schmidt was never the warm and cuddly type.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Setup man Herges closer to returning to bullpen — Looking to fortify their bullpen and catching situation, the Rockies moved close Wednesday to re-signing veteran Matt Herges and have made progress in talks with Yorvit Torrealba. — Herges was a critical component last season …
ESPN:
Chat with Jim Callis — Welcome to The Show! On Wednesday, Baseball America's Jim Callis will chat it up with SportsNation. Ask any question and he will try to answer - big leaguers, prospects, draft picks ... anything goes! — Send your questions now and join Jim on Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET!
Discussion:
Hot Foot
George King / New York Post:
OH, HENRY! YANKS SIGN OUTFIELDER — While the Yankees and Alex Rodriguez inch closer to finalizing a 10-year, $275 million deal that will be announced next week and the club scours the universe for relief pitching - Trever Miller, Jeremy Affeldt, Troy Percival, Luis Vizcaino, etc., etc. …
Associated Press:
Bonds' former pals expected to testify — Ex-girlfriend and best man could take the stand for prosecution — SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds' penchant for turning longtime friends into bitter enemies might come back to hurt him in at least two significant ways at trial. — First, there's Steve Hoskins.
