Top News:
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Yankees and Rodriguez Receive Approval for Deal — Four weeks after Alex Rodriguez walked away from his contract with the Yankees, he and the club have gained approval for a marketing deal tied to his home run milestones, the last significant step in completing a contract that restores Rodriguez to the Yankees' roster.
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Dan Rosenheck / New York Times:
Toledo, Here He Comes? — It is hardly typical of the agent Scott Boras to accept a below-market contract offer. But if Alex Rodriguez, Boras's marquee client, hammers out the 10-year, $275 million deal he is negotiating with the Yankees, he may be leaving money on the table.
Mike Puma / Associated Press:
A-ROD GETS BUCKS FOR HIS BANGS — OKS $30M DEAL ON HISTORIC HRS — Alex Rodriguez's blockbuster new contract with the Yankees apparently is close to finalized. — According to a published report last night, the two sides have agreed upon a $30 million marketing package tied …
Associated Press:
A-Rod, Yankees agree to $30M marketing deal — '07 MVP could earn $30M for reaching HR milestones — NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees have agreed on a $30 million marketing package based on home-run achievements that could raise the total value of his new contract to $305 million over 10 years.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Give Santana a look … Publicly, at least, the Minnesota Twins are saying they still hope to re-sign Johan Santana. Privately, according to at least one official from another major league team, the Twins have given indication they will trade Santana before the start of spring training …
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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.
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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Minneapolis Star Tribune, SOX1FAN, MY BASEBALL BIAS and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Steve Serby / New York Post:
SERBY'S SUNDAY Q&A WITH... HANK STEINBRENNER — The Post's Steve Serby chatted with the new Yankees boss about his expectations for 2008 and beyond, his life as George Steinbrenner's oldest son, and his memories of a lifetime in and around the world's most famous ballclub.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Jesse Motiff / Brewers Bar:
To hell with Francisco Cordero — I thought waiting 24 hours after Coco Cordero signing with the Cincinnati Reds would be enough time for me to cool down and then give my thoughts on the signing. The truth is, I could wait all winter until Opening Day and I'd still be pretty bitter towards Cordero for doing what he did.
Discussion:
The View From The Bleachers
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.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Joe was a joy to be around — Grief is a powerful emotion. It's hard to breathe in it. It leaves us helpless, angry and confused. — Those emotions swirled inside Friday as I learned of Joe Kennedy's death. I was attending the CU-Nebraska game when a message popped on my phone.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Eduardo A. Encina / St. Petersburg Times:
Boras still has Pena's confidence — The amount the Rays will have to pay 1B Carlos Pena after his AL comeback player of the year performance remains a mystery. — Pena's friends were in an uproar last week, texting and calling his cell phone when they heard he placed ninth in the AL MVP voting.
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates inquire about Clement — Free agent coming off shoulder surgery — The Pirates are one of six teams to have contacted free-agent starter Matt Clement, a Butler native returning from shoulder surgery, but it is far from certain they will be a serious bidder.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
16 months after crash, Duaner Sanchez back on comeback trail to Mets — PORT ST. LUCIE - On a mound shielded from the drizzle outside, and just 20 feet from the spot where his recovery from a taxi-cab accident suffered a serious setback, Duaner Sanchez's right foot is touching the rubber for the first time since March.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Sign of turnaround in LA — Torre and young stars key to Dodger success — They were not about to get into the silly money the Angels gave Torii Hunter. They would not go four years on Mike Lowell. They are unwilling to part with four or even three top prospects for Miguel Cabrera …
Clark Spencer / MiamiHerald.com:
Angels' deal could be sign Cabrera is next — After signing Torii Hunter, the Angels have a stockpile of outfielders to package in a trade for Miguel Cabrera. — AIM cspencer@MiamiHerald.com — It was a quiet Thanksgiving for the Marlins, who made a holiday splash two years ago …
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers continue their hunting — After missing on center fielder Hunter, Daniels keeps looking — Torii Hunter is on his way to California to play for the Angels and the Rangers are mulling their next options for an offseason that is only just beginning to heat up.
