Top News:
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.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Seeking Santana a costly pursuit — LIKE THIS STORY? — One major league star, multiple prospects and a seven-year, $140 million contract. — That's all it will take to add Johan Santana at the Twins' current price — and the likely price for a starting pitcher of his caliber.
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 …
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.
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:
Mets Merized Online, Mets Today, Mets Fever, MLB Trade Rumors, MetsBlog.com, Kranepool Society, Babes Love Baseball and Hot Foot
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.
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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.
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.
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Murray Chass / New York Times:
Mitchell Report Could Have a Major Impact on Visas — Ten days ago, Robert Hill sent a memo to clients and other interested parties. "ALERT," the memo began in capital letters. "Anticipated December Release of Mitchell Report May Have Unintended Consequences for Foreign Athletes."
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Joe Kennedy dies at 28 — FOXSports.com, Updated 11 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — Pitcher Joe Kennedy died early Friday, according to a major-league source. — Kennedy, 28, spent seven years in the majors, pitching for the A's, Diamondbacks and Blue Jays last season.
Discussion:
The Heater, Jays Nest, Babes Love Baseball, Where have you gone …, River Ave. Blues, FanHouse and Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:Major league left-hander Joe Kennedy dies
Discussion:
Fox Sports, Blogging Baseball, The MLB Source, Catfish Stew, Fire Brand of the …, DRaysBay, Baseball Musings and Out in the Desert
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 …
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
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 …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
