Top News:
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers, Jones reach an agreement — Deal calls for two years and $36 million, per a baseball official — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Dodgers landed the bat they've been seeking, reaching agreement on Wednesday night with free-agent outfielder Andruw Jones on a two-year, $36 million contract, according to a baseball official.
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Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:
Brewers haven't talked with Dodgers about Sheets — Nashville - USA Today reported this morning that the Brewers and Dodgers are talking about a deal that would send right-hander Ben Sheets and centerfielder Bill Hall to Los Angeles in exchange for outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier.
Associated Press:
Andruw Jones, Dodgers agree on two-year deal — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — All-Star center fielder Andruw Jones and the Los Angeles Dodgers reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday night on a $36.2 million, two-year contract. — Jones, the former Atlanta star who has won 10 straight Gold Gloves …
Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:The Last Action — As another slow day in Nashville came to a close …
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Could Matsui be on the market? — Some Japanese reporters asked Brian Cashman if Hideki Matsui could be traded and he gave them a "no comment." — There was a time such a question would have been dismissed. But Matsui is signed to a reasonable contract ($26 million over the next two seasons) …
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Bob Elliott / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays lob Giants a pitch — Await word from San Francisco about dealing Rios for hurler — NASHVILLE — The ball is in the San Francisco Giants' court. — Or should we say the ball is waiting to be plunked into McCovey Cove as Blue Jays right fielder Alex Rios attempted …
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yankees and Giants chat it up — It remains to be seen whether a match can be made. But we can confirm that the Giants and Yankees are talking and Hideki Matsui was mentioned. — It makes sense in some ways. He would be a popular draw for the city's vast Japanese population, no small factor with Barry Bonds off the roster.
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Mine over matter — Beckett not concerned with Santana … NASHVILLE, Tenn. - What would Josh Beckett [stats] think? — It's the question that some in baseball circles have brought to light when talking about the potential acquisition of Johan Santana, and the contract extension …
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NY Daily News:
Lefties Johan Santana, Dontrelle Willis are on Mets' radar — The Shea faithful may be giving up on Omar Minaya's ability to land Johan Santana. But the Mets GM isn't giving up on landing the Twins' ace. And failing that, newly dealt lefty Dontrelle Willis may soon be available.
Barry Svrluga / Nationals Journal:
Nats sign Boone, avoid arbitration with WMP — I fell down on pursuing this one, but the Nationals signed infielder Aaron Boone to a one-year, $1 million contract that includes incentives. — They also agreed to the aforementioned extension with outfielder Wily Mo Pena …
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Associated Press:
Nationals add veteran infielder Boone to bench — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Backup infielder Aaron Boone agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract Thursday with the Washington Nationals, who also avoided arbitration with outfielders Wily Mo Pena and Ryan Langerhans.
philly.metro.us:
Gillick offers package for Erik Bedard — MLB. Only four National League starting staffs had a higher ERA (4.91) than the parade of Phillies starting pitchers last season. — The Phillies managed to squeeze into the playoffs at the end of September despite the poor overall starting staff.
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Todd Zolecki / philly.com:Phillies singing a sad song in Nashville
Discussion:
Phillies, San Francisco Chronicle, MLB Trade Rumors, Mariners Blog, Philliesflow.com, MLB.com, Brewers Blog and Denver Post
Chris Kline / Baseball America Prospects Blog:
Rule 5 Eve Rundown — NASHVILLE-Word on the street in Music City in advance of Thursday's Rule 5 draft came fast and furious late Wednesday night. — According to several sources, the Padres are planning on moving up to Tampa Bay's No. 1 spot to take Indians outfielder Brian Barton.
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Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Padres set to bring back Bradley — Outfielder will receive one-year deal to stay in San Diego — NASHVILLE — Who said there are no bargains to be had in free agency? — The San Diego Padres apparently have found one, and they didn't have to look very hard to find it.
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
News: Mets select two in Rule V Draft — The Mets have selected RHP Steven Register during the Major League Phase of today's Rule V Draft. — The 24-year-old Register was drafted by the Rockies in 2004. — Last season, in 60 relief appearances for Colorado's Double-A team …
Discussion:
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
For Now, Yanks Stick With Their Farm Plan — Hank Steinbrenner has not attended the winter meetings, but his voice is among the most powerful here. Absent from the Yankees' media guide a year ago, he is now the final authority on matters related to the marquee team in the major leagues.
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's future may be more clear — (12-06) 04:00 PST Nashville — With no deals on the last full day of the winter meetings, A's general manager Billy Beane might have an answer at last to which direction his team is heading. — Beane had said since the end of the season that he wasn't sure …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Reyes Is Back Home, and Not Going Anywhere — Drive along the dusty, pothole-filled road, careful not to strike the roosters or stray dogs, until it dead-ends beside a stone staircase. Run up the steps, climb over the aqua-colored fence — or, for the less adventurous, slip through an open gate …
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Eckstein could fill Rox void at second — Colorado talks to Loretta, might still turn to in-house candidates — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — David Eckstein, the 2006 World Series Most Valuable Player while with the Cardinals, has emerged as a veteran candidate for the Rockies' second-base opening.
