Top News:
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers' Hicks 'surprised' by Hunter's pick — Rangers lose out on All-Star center fielder to division rival — egrant@dallasnews.com — For the second straight year, the Los Angeles Angels have wound up with the Texas Rangers' desired center fielder.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Hunter probably not the last piece — Even after giving the Gold Glove center fielder a $90-million deal, the Angels figure to go after Cabrera or Tejada. — Not only did the Angels snag the most coveted free agent on the market when they agreed to terms with center fielder Torii Hunter on a five-year …
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Royals 'move on' after Hunter signs with Angels — Outfielder Jose Guillen now becomes the indisputable No. 1 on the Royals' list of off-season targets following Torii Hunter's decision late Wednesday to sign with the Los Angeles Angels. — The Royals have long viewed Hunter and Guillen …
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Hunter's deal with Angels makes Royals go different direction — The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim agreed to a five-year, $90 million contract with free-agent outfielder Torii Hunter late Wednesday, providing Vladimir Guerrero some protection in the batting order.
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 …
Discussion:
The Transaction Guy
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.
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
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.
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:A marriage made in heaven — Hunter agrees to five-year contract with Angels
Discussion:
Catfish Stew, Baseball Musings, Viva El Birdos, the metropolitans, MLB Trade Rumors and Halos Heaven
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
RELATED:
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MetsBlog.com, Ya Gotta Believe, Hot Stove New York, Purple Row, Hot Foot and River Ave. Blues
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.
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
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 …
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.
