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.
RELATED:
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.
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.
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.
RELATED:
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.
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 …
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.
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.
RELATED:
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:
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.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
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."
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 …
Associated Press:
MLB pitcher Joe Kennedy dies at 28 — TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Joe Kennedy, a journeyman left-hander who pitched for three major league teams last season, died at his in-laws' home Friday. He was 28. — After going to bed early, Kennedy woke up at about 1:15 a.m. Friday and collapsed …
RELATED:
