Top News:
Associated Press:
Twins, Yankees in preliminary talks about Santana — NEW YORK — The New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins have started trade talks involving Johan Santana. — Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said Monday that discussions are ongoing but it was too early to tell whether they would lead to a deal.
Discussion:
Hot Foot, FanHouse, Boy of Summer, Twins Killings, MetsBlog.com, MLB Trade Rumors, MY BASEBALL BIAS, NJ.com, New York Post and Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Tim Marchman / New York Sun:
Sell the Whole Farm for Santana — There has never been a pitcher quite like Johan Santana. You could call him a left-handed Pedro Martinez, but that would insult his uniqueness. Once thought too short to be a starter, the reticent Venezuelan hero has been the key to this decade's baseball renaissance …
Mark Hale / New York Post:
METS AIMING FOR SOME HELP ON THE MOUND — The Mets won't make a trade with the Twins simply to rent ace left-hander Johan Santana. For the Mets to trade for Santana, they would require a window to discuss a new contract, a person with knowledge of the club's thinking said yesterday.
George King / New York Post:
YANKS PITCH FOR SANTANA — HANK REMAINS MUM ON 'UNTOUCHABLES' — The Yankees and Twins are talking about a swap that would bring left-hander Johan Santana to The Bronx, but Hank Steinbrenner was very vague when asked for his list of untouchables - presumably headed by Joba Chamberlain.
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Hank: Yankees talking with Twins about Santana — Hank Steinbrenner says the Yankees and the Minnesota Twins are talking about a trade for one of the game's biggest arms. — Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner publicly acknowledged Monday that the Yankees are involved …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Hampton hurt again; whither Andruw? — A quick one, before he's away at the Winter Meetings (OK, that was fairly lame paraphrasing of the The Who's rockin' second album title). — If it seems like negotiation wheels are grinding slowly for free agents such as the Braves' Andruw Jones, Ron Mahay and Octavio Dotel, well, they are.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Hampton injured ... again — Braves uncertain if pitcher, making rehab, will return to action this winter — It's a familiar refrain, this time from south of the border: Mike Hampton is hurt again. — The Braves left-hander injured his right hamstring in the first inning of his first start in the Mexican Winter League last week.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Loyalty not an act for this Red Sox fan — Homeboy Matt Damon, who narrates the 2007 World Series DVD that had its premiere last night at the Wang Center, is proud of his bona fides as a Red Sox fan, one who showed up on David Letterman's show last summer wearing a Sox jersey to diss the Yankees his entire interview.
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Chicagosports / Hardball:
Wood welcomes closer's role — Kerry Wood called it a "pretty easy decision" to return to the Cubs, and left no doubt he's psyched about the opportunity to replace Ryan Dempster as the closer in 2008. — "I would think anybody that plays this game wants to be in that position," …
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Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Report: Brocail, Astros agree on terms — Right-handed reliever last pitched for Houston in 1996 — HOUSTON — The Astros and free-agent right-hander Doug Brocail have agreed to terms on a contract, a Houston television station reported on Monday night. — KRIV-TV, citing Major League …
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web.baseballhalloffame.org:
2008 Hall of Fame ballot to be mailed this week — Raines, Justice, Knoblauch among first-time candidates — Baseball Writers' Association of America — A former World Series Most Valuable Player and other contributors to world championships are among 11 new candidates on the 2008 Hall …
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Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Astros bring in five new scouts — Club appoints Bratton as Midwest scouting supervisor — HOUSTON — The Astros, as part of their ongoing efforts to upgrade the club's player development pipeline, on Monday added five new scouts to the organization and named longtime scout Ralph Bratton as Midwest scouting supervisor.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Carefully casting for help — Melvin won't rush into bullpen deals — Doug Melvin realizes he has a void to fill at the back of his bullpen. What he doesn't want to do is make a move that he'll regret. — "I want to be careful and not panic now," the Milwaukee Brewers general manager said Monday.
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Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Colletti banks on young players — Pricey deals make the GM think twice about acquiring veterans. Plus, he's 'curious' to see what the younger players have in store. — Citing the high asking prices for top players on the trade market and the lack of quality among free agents …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
D-Backs waiting for Kuroda on offer — The Diamondbacks have extended an offer to right-hander Hiroki Kuroda and are waiting to hear back from the Japanese free agent. — General Manager Josh Byrnes would not divulge details of the offer, but Kuroda could command a deal worth up to $10 million a year for at least three years.
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Notes: Bannister earns honor — Right-hander named to Topps Rookie All-Star team — KANSAS CITY — Right-handed pitcher Brian Bannister was named to the 49th Topps Major League Rookie All-Star team in balloting by managers. — Bannister led the Royals' staff in victories …
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
A-MISTAKE — BONUS BUCKS PRESSURE A-ROD DOESN'T NEED — JUST give Alex Rodriguez the money. Give him the $30 million. It just isn't worth the soap operas and headaches ahead for the Yankees to distribute his bonuses during the next decade. — The Yankees should know by now …
Discussion:
The GYS Network
