Top News:
Associated Press:
Brewers hire Macha as team's new manager — MILWAUKEE — Ken Macha gets to manage again. That's because Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin is a big believer in second chances. — The 58-year-old Macha was hired Thursday as the manager of the Brewers, taking over the role …
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers to name Macha manager — Former A's skipper won two division titles with Oakland — MILWAUKEE — Six years after Brewers general manager Doug Melvin first asked Ken Macha to be the team's field manager, Macha is poised to accept. — The Brewers called a 2 p.m. CT press conference Thursday during …
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
KC acquires power-hitting Jacobs — Royals send reliever Nunez to Marlins for first baseman — KANSAS CITY — The Royals acquired power-hitting first baseman Mike Jacobs from the Florida Marlins on Thursday for right-handed reliever Leo Nunez. — Jacobs, who turned 28 on Thursday …
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Rany / Rany on the Royals:
Memo to DMGM: WTF? — So I guess Mark Teahen isn't moving anywhere after all. It's not often that a rumor that was reported at the highest levels gets shot down with such authority, but that's what happened here. Even as Bob Dutton himself reported that “Sources from both clubs said Teahen …
Discussion:
Kansas City Star, ESPN, Bucs Dugout, Al's Ramblings, Camden Chat, ShysterBall and MLB.com
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Royals obtain 1B Jacobs from Marlins for Nuñez — The Royals wasted no time Thursday in pulling the trigger on their first major off-season move by acquiring slugging first baseman Mike Jacobs from the Florida Marlins for reliever Leo Nuñez. — The deal comes one day after …
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Dom D's Mets Fan Blog, MLB.com, Can't Stop The Bleeding, Beyond the Box Score, MetsBlog.com and MLB Rumors
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Jones returning as Tigers' 'pen coach — Detroit brings back aide after intially releasing him at season's end — DETROIT — Jeff Jones was dismissed as bullpen coach at season's end in large part to allow a new pitching coach to make his own choice for the role.
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Associated Press:
Phillies-Rays Series draws record-low television ratings — CBSSports.com wire reports — NEW YORK — A small-market team and a short series often are guarantees of low television ratings for sports in this age of fractured audiences. The 2008 World Series added to that double whammy …
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Mel Antonen / USA Today:
Despite World Series loss, Rays prove they rate with best — PHILADELPHIA — Amid the disappointment of losing their first World Series, the Tampa Bay Rays said they are eager to shed their doormat reputation and start a new era. — “The biggest thing we learned is to believe in ourselves …
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Fox Sports
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:Herzog has an idea for weather issue
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Associated Press, Newsday, Baseball Musings, The Crawfish Boxes, It is about the money, stupid, The Heater and ShysterBall
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
With World Series drought over, Phillies seek refill — PHILADELPHIA — The message on the T-shirts that popped up around Citizens Bank Park soon after the final out of the World Series captured the joy and relief of Phillies fans in a uniquely Philadelphia way. — “Phinally,” the T-shirts proclaimed.
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Washington Post
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Burnett to decide on opt-out by Monday at latest — Toronto Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett expects to decide whether to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract before the start of the Major League Baseball general managers' meetings Monday in Dana Point, Calif., his agent said Thursday.
MLB.com:
White Sox decline 2009 options on contracts of Ken Griffey Jr. and Toby Hall — CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox have declined the club options for 2009 on the contracts of outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. and catcher Toby Hall. Griffey and Hall will be eligible for free agency.
Pete Caldera / NorthJersey.com:
Yankee Stadium: One last plate appearance? — Yankee Stadium could host one final ceremony after all. — Stealing home — Plans are in the works to have Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte transfer home plate from the current ballpark into the new Yankee Stadium …
MLB.com:
Mets sign Fernando Tatis to a one-year contract — Fernando Tatis, who was named the National League Comeback Player-of-the-Year this season, today signed a one-year contract with the New York Mets. Terms were not disclosed. — Tatis, 33, who hit .297 with 16 doubles, one triple …
Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Steelers Notebook: Safety is slighted by lack of playing time — Anthony Smith feels slighted. He started 10 games last season after illness struck down free safety Ryan Clark, and he wonders why he likely won't get the job this week. — “Yeah, I'm frustrated,” Smith said yesterday.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Pena picks up his own option for '09 — WASHINGTON — On Thursday, the Nationals declined a $5 million club option on outfielder Wily Mo Pena, who subsequently exercised a $2 million player option for the 2009 season. — The team was expecting big things out of Pena this past season …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
New York Post:
YANKEES MAY GUN FOR MANNY — PHILADELPHIA -Manny Ramirez doesn't fit the Yankees' desire to get younger and more athletic, but several industry sources believe the Yankees will make a serious push for the free agent to play right field next year. — Though GM Brian Cashman …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats cut ties with closer Cordero — Wagner, Orr also outrighted, decline Minors assignments — WASHINGTON — The Nationals outrighted right-handers Chad Cordero and Ryan Wagner and infielder Pete Orr to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday. All three declined the assignment and elected to become free agents …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Wren readies for GM Meetings — Starters, slugging oufielder on short list of offseason needs — For more than a month, Braves general manager Frank Wren has been planning his attack. Now, it's time for him to dive headfirst into what should be a very hectic offseason shopping spree.
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Bottom9 Baseball
