Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Source: Reds, closer Cordero agree to $46M deal — The Cincinnati Reds have reached preliminary agreement on a four-year, $46 million contract with closer Francisco Cordero, a baseball source confirmed to ESPN.com. — The deal, which includes a club option for a fifth year, is subject to Cordero passing a physical exam.
RELATED:
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds, Cordero agree to four-year deal — Closer's physical expected to be completed next week — CINCINNATI — The Reds made a huge move to improve the National League's lowest-ranked bullpen on Friday by agreeing to a four-year, $46 million contract with former Brewers closer Francisco Cordero.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Reds talking to closer Cordero — LIKE THIS STORY? — The Cincinnati Reds, moving toward the first big acquisition of the Dusty Baker era, are in serious talks with free-agent closer Francisco Cordero, major-league sources say. — Cordero is still talking to three clubs …
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Santana available? — Yanks, Mets could go hard after lefty ace after talks break down — The Johan Santana sweepstakes are about to start burning up the Hot Stove League, and the Yankees and Mets are expected to go all-out in attempting to acquire the ace lefthander.
RELATED:
Steve Buckley / Boston Herald:
Pedroia, Ellsbury should be Sox' untouchables … There's this great scene in the film "Bugsy" in which the title character, played by Warren Beatty, offers some sound advice to his associates in the rackets. — "Whatever you do," he says to the very people he suspects will soon be bumping him off …
Discussion:
Peter's Red Sox Forever
Joe / Around the Majors:
New Santana details emerge — The five-year, $93 million contract the Twins recently offered Johan Santana would only have kept him with the team through 2012, the Star Tribune has learned. — Santana is owed $13.25 million for next season in the final year of his four-year, $39.75 million contract.
Fox Sports:
Top-notch arms are in short supply — LIKE THIS STORY? — Name a team — any team — and they're probably scrambling for starting pitching. — Whether their teams truly need it or not, baseball executives are forever in search of capable hurlers. In baseball terms, pitching is like money: You can never have enough of it.
Discussion:
Mets Fever
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Mets interested in Freddy Garcia — The Mets tried to trade for Freddy Garcia last December, but the Phillies made a better offer and got the hulking righty from the White Sox. — The Mets, though, remained interested, and now that Garcia is a free agent, they've called his representative several times to discuss signing him.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Mets Today, MetsBlog.com, Mets Merized Online, Babes Love Baseball, Mets Fever, Kranepool Society and Hot Foot
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Major league left-hander Joe Kennedy dies … Major league pitcher Joe Kennedy died early Friday morning while at home with his family in Florida, agent Damon Lapa confirmed to ESPN.com. — The cause of Kennedy's death could not immediately be determined, Lapa said.
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:Joe Kennedy dies at 28
Discussion:
The Heater, Jays Nest, Babes Love Baseball, Where have you gone …, FanHouse, Can't Stop The Bleeding and River Ave. Blues
Peter Schmuck / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles waiting instead of trading — Something should have happened by now, or so you might think after several months of speculation about the great Orioles rebuilding project that was supposed to begin this month. — Club president Andy MacPhail still might get something done before the end …
RELATED:
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Sox swing and miss, but game's not over — Still searching after failing to nab Hunter — As the White Sox try to rebuild a championship contender, this is where they are two months into a significant off-season: — The one free agent they wanted most has spurned them …
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:Hunter probably not the last piece
Discussion:
MiamiHerald.com, Lookout Landing, Athletics Nation, MLB Trade Rumors, Hot Foot and Chicago Sun Times
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:Texas Rangers' Hicks 'surprised' by Hunter's pick
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Bill Baer / crashburnalley.com:
Conlin's Losing Numbers [UPDATED TWICE: See end] — As you might recall from late August, I picked on Marcus Hayes of the Philadelphia Daily News for his close-minded and immature diatribe against proponents of Sabermetrics in baseball. — I've found another target.
RELATED:
MLB.com:
Free agent updates — The offseason is in full swing, and teams are in search of free agent help. Here's a look at the players on the market and in the news. — Nov. 19: Rodriguez's negotiations with the Yankees are not yet complete, but the newly crowned American League MVP said that there is a finish line in sight.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Yabuta, Royals appear close to deal — Impending physical final hurdle to bring pitcher to U.S. — KANSAS CITY — Right-handed reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta is about to leave Japan for Kansas City. Whether the move will be permanent or not is still in question.
Paul Meyer / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Andrews' No. 1 priority — Duke — PIRATESNew pitching coach expects good resultsBASEBALL NOTEBOOK — Jeff Andrews' duties as the Pirates' pitching coach will include working with all the team's pitchers. — How Andrews works with one pitcher, however, will draw a lot of attention over the next several months.
