Top News:
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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Dugout Central, Take the 7 Train, MetsBlog.com, Mostly Mets, Hot Foot, FanHouse and Bless You Boys
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Sports Illustrated:
Yanks, Red Sox in Santana talks — The Twins have opened trade discussions for Johan Santana by asking the Yankees for a package of at least three young players that would include one of their three top starters — Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy — plus center fielder Melky Cabrera.
San Diego Union-Tribune:
Brocail likely to depart Padres — UNION-TRIBUNE FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS — Reliever Doug Brocail is on the verge of leaving the Padres. — "More than likely, he'll sign elsewhere," General Manager Kevin Towers said yesterday. — The Padres will get a compensatory pick …
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 …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Mark Kriegel / Fox Sports:
A new boss in the Bronx — LIKE THIS STORY? — As the parties convene to commemorate the historic document — Alex Rodriguez's record-breaking contract with the New York Yankees — expect more sanctimony than celebration. This signing will be interpreted like an armistice.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Hank: Yankees talking with Twins about Santana — The Yankees and the Minnesota Twins are talking about a trade that could bring ace pitcher Johan Santana to New York. (Newsday / Kathy Kmonicek) — Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner publicly acknowledged yesterday …
Mark Feinsand / Blogging The Bombers:
Dealing Hughes for Santana a questionable move — After a week of family, friends and turkey, the Yankees got back to business yesterday, resuming their pursuit of Johan Santana. — This is not going to be a quick process. Sure, the Twins could deal the two-time Cy Young winner by the end …
Discussion:
NJ.com
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
Rival executives: Cubs are willing to trade Prior … Four years ago, Mark Prior had the kind of stature that Johan Santana has now, as the pitcher that everybody would love to have. But now the Chicago Cubs have made it known that they are willing to trade the former All-Star pitcher, rival executives say.
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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.
RELATED:
Jim McLennan / AZ Snakepit:Turning Japanese? — Something of a curveball, in the news …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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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Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Two Series titles evidence of growing Theo-logy — Sometime soon the adjectives will be replaced. For the breadth of his career as Boston Red Sox general manager, Theo Epstein's name has been preceded by some variation of his youth - kid, wunderkind, prodigy, all said with good intentions, and all tinged with derision.
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
ROYALS NOTES: Guillen report denied — The Royals are dismissing reports from the Dominican Republic that say they are close to an agreement with free-agent outfielder Jose Guillen. — General manager Dayton Moore declined to comment on the matter, but indications suggest the Baltimore Orioles …
Discussion:
Oriole Post
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David Jones / Florida Today:
Former Marlins trainer watches steroids debate with great interest — With a federal indictment looming over Barry Bonds, the steroids issue casts a cloud over the game that continues to grow darker with each passing home run. — Was it real, or was it enhancements?
Al Balderas / Orange County Register:
Dodgers leaning inward for improvements — Colletti remains protective of his prospects and says he won't make a deal 'just to make a deal.' — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers were emphatic about their decision to stay the course when their season ended at the end of September, vowing to stand by their younger players.
RELATED:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates, new hitting coach reach agreement — Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates this morning reached a contract agreement with Don Long to become their new hitting coach. — Long, 45, had been the Philadelphia Phillies' minor-league hitting coordinator since 1999 …
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
John Delcos / The LoHud Mets Blog:
Some kudos to Minaya — This time next week the Mets' brass will be in Nashville for the Winter Meetings, trying to fill the holes in their rotation and bullpen. — GM Omar Minaya doesn't seem to be as busy as he was the last two winters, but if you look at the composition of the team you'll note most of the holes are filled.
Discussion:
Mets Fever
