Top News:
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.
RELATED:
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Jones offers Dodgers plenty of options — LA could look to deal Kemp for starting pitcher or retain depth — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Besides the Gold Gloves and power bat and All-Star resume, Andruw Jones gives the Dodgers something else that makes general manager Ned Colletti smile. — Options.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
Jose De Jesus Ortiz / Houston Chronicle:Winter meetings conclude with little action for Astros
Discussion:
The Transaction Guy
Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:The Last Action — As another slow day in Nashville came to a close …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:Jones' signing bolsters Dodgers lineup
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Houston Chronicle, My Pinstripes, Dodger Thoughts, Brewers Blog and MLB Trade Rumors
Todd Zolecki / philly.com:
Phillies singing a sad song in Nashville — Their search for a pitcher is stalled. "It's been a frustrating few days," Mike Arbuckle said. — NASHVILLE - The frustration is evident at the Opryland Hotel. — The Phillies desperately need more pitching, but they still can't find any at what they consider a reasonable price.
Discussion:
San Francisco Chronicle, Mariners Blog, Philliesflow.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Brewers Blog and Denver Post
RELATED:
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.
Todd Zolecki / The Zo Zone:
Phillies Take 2 Pitchers in Rule 5 Draft — The Phillies selected lefthander Travis Blackley from the San Francisco Giants' organization and righthander Lincoln Holdzkom from the Boston Red Sox's organization in the major-league portion of the Rule 5 Draft.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
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 …
RELATED:
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) …
Discussion:
NJ.com, El Lefty Malo, The Curse Of Jeff Nelson, Hot Stove New York, The Bronx Block and Yanksfan vs Soxfan
RELATED:
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.
Matt Eddy / Baseball America Prospects Blog:
Major League Rule 5 Observations — Observations and (often irreverent) notes from the major league portion of Thursday's Rule 5 draft. — • Lefthander Wesley Wright was the odd man out of the Dodgers 40-man roster crunch, and it was no surprise that he was drafted in the major league phase of the Rule 5 Draft.
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Sources: O's, Astros discuss Tejada — LIKE THIS STORY? — The Astros have had significant discussions with the Orioles about shortstop Miguel Tejada, but the two sides are not close to a deal, according to major-league sources. — The Astros apparently believed a trade was possible Wednesday night …
RELATED:
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.
RELATED:
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:
Hot Foot
RELATED:
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.
Discussion:
NY Daily News
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
D-backs still searching for a starter — General manager Byrnes to continue pursuit of Haren, Kuroda — NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As the D-backs front office headed back to Phoenix on Thursday afternoon, they did so with bags under their eyes from a lack of sleep, but not with a starting pitcher …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
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 …
