Top News:
Evan Grant / rangers.beloblog.com:
Going, going Gagne — The Rangers have announced that they are dropping out of the bidding for free agent Eric Gagne. While no specific reason was given, Jon Daniels said Thursday he hoped to have closure on some issues quickly. The Rangers were not willing to give Gagne two guaranteed seasons.
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers end pursuit of Gagne — GM Daniels shifts focus to outstanding offer made to Hawkins — ARLINGTON — The Rangers are dropping their pursuit of free agent reliever Eric Gagne, but are still working hard at trying to land outfield help. — The Rangers talked with Scott Boras …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
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 …
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
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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Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
Bonds Pleads Not Guilty — Barry Bonds, baseball's all-time home run king, pleaded not guilty Friday in U.S. District Court to charges that he lied to investigators about his use of performance-enhancing drugs four years ago. — In his first court appearance since his indictment on Nov. 15 …
Discussion:
ESPN
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Barrett to stay with Pads ... for now — LIKE THIS STORY? — Free-agent catcher Michael Barrett has accepted the Padres' offer of salary arbitration, but that doesn't mean he will open next season in San Diego. — The Padres are exploring trade possibilities for Barrett …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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.
