Top News:
George King / New York Post:
YANKEES AIM TO PEN DOWN RELIEF — The Yankees' No. 1 goal heading into the Winter Meetings was to land Johan Santana. When that didn't happen, the Yankees focused on upgrading a bullpen that has Kyle Farnsworth in far too important of a role. — Yesterday, the bullpen took another hit …
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Getting Help for Bullpen Moves to Yankees' Front Burner — The Yankees left the winter meetings Thursday with one new relief pitcher and a lot of public optimism about their pitching prospects. But young starters need to be supported by strong relievers, and the Yankees' bullpen is a free-for-all before closer Mariano Rivera.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yankees talking to LaTroy Hawkins — NASHVILLE - Brian Cashman left the Opryland Hotel without Johan Santana, but he did head back to New York with his three prized young pitchers still in pinstripes. — The Yankees made just one official move during the winter meetings …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Fukudome decides to leave Japan for MLB — FOXSports.com, Updated 19 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — It's official: Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome will play in the majors next season. — Fukudome, 30, is set to announce that he is leaving Japan, the first step toward him signing …
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Agent: Fukudome's move decision due next week … Outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, a hot commodity on baseball's free agent market, plans to make a formal announcement early next week on whether he will remain in Japan in 2008 or pursue offers to play in the United States, his agent said.
Discussion:
The Baseball Zealot
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs mean bid-ness with Japanese star — Fukudome also coveted by White Sox, Padres; Prior could be on way out — NASHVILLE - Now that the winter meetings have ended, the Cubs can start taking care of their offseason business. — Four days in Nashville yielded the Cubs a couple …
Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:
Brewers trade for Pirates' Torres — Before leaving the winter meetings Thursday in Nashville, Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said he was looking for "one more arm out there" for his bullpen. — He found that arm Friday. — Continuing to retool his bullpen after the losses …
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Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates trade Torres to Brewers for two prospects — The Pirates added to their need for right-handed relief today by trading Salomon Torres to the Milwaukee Brewers for prospects Marino Salas and Kevin Roberts. — Salas, a 26-year-old right-handed reliever, had 17 saves and a 2.77 ERA …
Alan Robinson / Associated Press:
Brewers acquire ex-Pirates closer Torres — PITTSBURGH — Former Pirates closer Salomon Torres, the majors' most-used reliever in 2006, was dealt Friday by Pittsburgh to the division rival Milwaukee Brewers for pitching prospects Marino Salas and Kevin Roberts.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins seeking new face at third base — Cantu on radar; offer rumored for Phillies' Helms — MIAMI — The Marlins are aggressively searching the market for a third baseman. In fact, they may end up acquiring several choices for the job. — One of the more likely options is Jorge Cantu, who was put on waivers by the Reds.
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Tom Singer / MLB.com:
BBWAA rescinds strict resolution — Association willing to negotiate on player awards, bonuses — Retreating from the hardline it adopted at the recent Winter Meetings, the Baseball Writers' Association of America has decided on a moratorium on its resolution to disqualify from its awards players who can earn bonuses through them.
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Mostly quiet on the player movement front in Nashville … NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Was it really only a few days ago that we predicted a winter meetings with sizzle? With action? With big names moving and headlines erupting? — Sheez, where do we get these nutty ideas?
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Boston Globe:
Red Sox spring training schedule — The Red Sox today released their 2008 spring training schedule, which is a bit abbreviated thanks to their regular season-opening trip to Japan. — The Sox will play 22 games in Florida, down from 30 last season, though they'll only play three fewer games …
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs
Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Catching up with Mackey Sasser — Like every head coach on every level of baseball, one of Mackey Sasser's responsibilities at Wallace Community College in Dothan, Ala., is to throw daily batting practice. — Except for Sasser, the routine act of throwing stopped coming natural to him many years ago.
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Carroll likely headed to Indians — The Rockies are set to trade infielder Jamey Carroll to the Cleveland Indians for a minor league player. They just have to decide which player. — While the Rockies were finalizing the details for the departure of Carroll, they also were emerging …
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Mitchell's report on steroids looms — NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball is about to get its official boxscore on the Steroids Era. — The Mitchell Report is due next week, probably Thursday. — It's the findings of former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's 20-month investigation …
Discussion:
Associated Press
