Top News:
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Hawkins likely to become a Yankee — The reliever rejects a one-year deal to remain a key figure in Colorado's bullpen — The Rockies' bullpen lost a key member Sunday when free agent LaTroy Hawkins declined a one-year contract offer. — Hawkins, who went 2-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 62 games …
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John Harper / NY Daily News:
Yankees closing in on LaTroy Hawkins with one-year, $3.75 million deal — Looking for short-term solutions in a relief market that is booming with expensive contracts, the Yankees are close to finalizing a one-year, $3.75 million deal with righthander LaTroy Hawkins, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yankees Find Bullpen Help, Landing Hawkins for a Year — The Yankees added a veteran to their young bullpen yesterday, agreeing to terms with the right-hander LaTroy Hawkins on a one-year contract worth about $3.75 million. Hawkins, who turns 35 this month, will take a physical this week to make the deal official.
Barry Svrluga / Nationals Journal:
Source: Nats agree to terms with Lo Duca — The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with free agent catcher Paul Lo Duca, a source with knowledge of the situation said today. Terms were not immediately available, though Lo Duca was thought to be seeking $5 million.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, We've Got Heart, Capitol Punishment, The Transaction Guy and Kranepool Society
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres focus on Fukudome as Bradley heads to Texas — Japanese star might give his answer today — Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome remains the central figure in this Padres offseason, certainly no less so now that former Padres outfielder Milton Bradley has agreed to terms with the Texas Rangers.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
OF Fukudome to decide on MLB or Japan tonight … Free agent outfielder Kosuke Fukudome plans to announce late Monday night U.S. time whether he will play in Japan in 2008 or pursue one of several offers from Major League Baseball clubs, his agent told ESPN.com.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Gagne signing gives Sox extra pick — Milwaukee inks righty … The Red Sox [team stats] will gain an extra pick in the June draft thanks to the Milwaukee Brewers' decision to sign reliever Eric Gagne to a one-year deal. — Gagne's deal is worth a reported $10 million …
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs
madison.com:
Brewers designate Mench for assignment — The Milwaukee Brewers have designated outfielder Kevin Mench for assignment, clearing the way for reliever Salomon Torres to join the 40-man roster, the team announced in a statement this morning. — Mench appeared in 101 games last season with the Brewers …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:
Mench is gone — In a move you could see coming, the Brewers designated outfielder Kevin Mench for assignment today to make room on their 40-man roster for newly acquired reliever Salomon Torres. — The Brewers tried to trade Mench at the winter meetings last week and found no takers.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Dan Le Batard / MiamiHerald.com:
Baseball is a business, don't blame Marlins — We wouldn't want our boss to be a jerk dictator. But we seem to like it when our team is coached by one, filing it under the needed discipline and leadership of a Bill Parcells or Bobby Knight. — The salesperson isn't OK if the company is doing very well financially but he/she isn't.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Okaji talks about his transition — Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima talked about how tough his transition was to the major leagues and looked back at last season in an interview with a Japanese radio station recently. — Daigo Fujiwara, the Globe's graphic designer who does a great job …
Brooklyn Met Fan:
BMF Open Letter to Santana — I know I declared myself sick of all the Santana talk last week but I can't deny I'm still thinking about you. — If you've been reading this site you'll know I even posted the headline, "F- Santana Let's Get Haren" but please don't let that hurt your feelings.
Discussion:
The Ropolitans
Fox Sports:
Red Sox, Tigers command respect — LIKE THIS STORY? — Baseball's Winter Meetings are behind us, and, believe it or not, pitchers and catchers report in less than two months. — Sure, some notable free agents are still available, and blockbuster trades are still yet to be made …
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
Ten Best Game Fours in World Series History — Picking up where I left off, let's look at Game Fours. — While plenty of mesmerizing Games 1 through 3 occurred, few remained in the public consciousness. Looking at this list, any student of baseball history worth his or her salt should know about four or five of these battles.
