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:
MetsBlog.com, Dugout Central, MLB Trade Rumors, Take the 7 Train, Hot Foot, Mostly Mets, FanHouse and Twins Killings
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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
New Jersey Online:
Yanks talk to Twins about Santana — Baseball's winter meetings don't begin until next week, but the Yankees and Twins have already started trade talks regarding pitcher Johan Santana. — While Yankees senior vice-president Hank Steinbrenner told the Associated Press yesterday that it's …
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.
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.
George King / New York Post:
YANKS PITCH FOR SANTANA
YANKS PITCH FOR SANTANA
Discussion:
NY Daily News, Rumors and Rants, The Big Lead, Mets Merized Online, NJ.com, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and ESPN
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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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.
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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.
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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?
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David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Starr Witness — MLB FanHouse links to an interview with Larry Starr …
Starr Witness — MLB FanHouse links to an interview with Larry Starr …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
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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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals are in familiar situation — Four years ago, the Cardinals reached baseball's winter meetings following a disappointing third-place season in which an incomplete pitching staff fed a frustrating summer and ultimately a collapse in September. — The Redbirds' entourage departed …
La Velle / Twins Insider:
Afternoon update: Twins clear space on their 40-man roster, hmmmmm.... The Twins just announced something I got wind of this morning: They have outrighted pitchers Errol Simonitsch and Ricky Barrett off the 40-man roster and assigned them to Class AAA Rochester.
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.
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