Top News:
Ken Davidoff / Ken Davidoff's baseball insider:
GMs' meetings: Wrapping up for the day — OK, a few more items, and then I have to do the job for which I get paid, as Watchdog always puts it... - Brian Cashman didn't rule out bringing back either Jason Giambi or Carl Pavano, both of whose 2009 team options he declined yesterday.
Discussion:
Mets Fever
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Mychael Urban / MLB.com:
Alejo brought back as strength coach — First stint of nine years with A's ended with hire by Giambi — OAKLAND — Bob Alejo, best known for his ties to former A's slugger and current free-agent first baseman Jason Giambi, was hired Tuesday for a second tour of duty as Oakland's strength and conditioning coach.
ESPN.com:
Yankees decline '09 options on Giambi, Pavano — DANA POINT, Calif. — The New York Yankees declined their 2009 options on first baseman Jason Giambi and pitcher Carl Pavano on Tuesday, making the pair eligible for free agency. — Giambi will receive a $5 million buyout rather …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Ken Davidoff / Ken Davidoff's baseball insider:GMs' meetings: The Yankees met yesterday with CC Sabathia's agents
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:Yankees decline Giambi, Pavano options
Discussion:
Blogging the Bombers
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
The latest updates from GM meetings … SI.com's Jon Heyman reports all week long from baseball's general manager meetings in California. — DANA POINT, Calif. — Star pitcher A.J. Burnett's agent Darek Braunecker will give the Blue Jays a final chance to re-sign Burnett in a meeting Tuesday afternoon …
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, MLB Rumors, River Avenue Blues, Hot Foot, Pinstripes, Pa. and Ken Davidoff's baseball …
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
YANKEES SET TO FINALIZE STAFF — PENA TO JOIN GIRARDI AS BENCH COACH — The Yankees are set to finalize their coaching staff with the slight surprise that Tony Pena is going to become Joe Girardi's bench coach, The Post has learned. — The moves were not finalized …
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves serious about Japanese pitcher — Dana Point, Calif. — While Braves officials continue their pursuit of Jake Peavy, they're also moving forward on other pitching fronts. Namely one on the other side of the Pacific Rim. — I'm told the Braves have already offered a major league contract …
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Peter Gammons / ESPN:
Mets to build around core players — The Mets don't have the kind of money everyone thinks, especially having to pay Billy Wagner $10M next season. They will spend to get a starter, a reliever and a bat to supplement Ryan Church in right and the Daniel Murphy/Fernando Tatis platoon in left.
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
More surgery for Carpenter — Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter (Chris Lee/P-D) — DANA POINT, Calif. — Chris Carpenter's long road back encountered another hairpin curve Tuesday when the Cardinals' ace and 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner required surgery to relocate a nerve near his surgically repaired right elbow.
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Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox GM Ken Williams wants more team speed; Javier Vazquez and Nick Swisher trade bait — Williams' wish list: Upgrade speed, find takers for veterans — DANA POINT, Calif. - Could the White Sox trade Javier Vazquez and Nick Swisher, their two biggest disappointments last season?
Associated Press:
Padres narrow field for Jake Peavy trade talks — DANA POINT, Calif. - The San Diego Padres have narrowed the field of suitors for ace pitcher Jake Peavy, focusing on three National League teams. — Peavy has $63 million in guaranteed money remaining on his deal, which runs through 2012 and contains a club option for 2013.
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Pettitte: Bring me back, y'all — Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in ... Andy Pettitte told a Houston television station that he wants to return to the Yankees in 2009. “I'd like to play again,” he said. “My thoughts are there.” — This comes as no surprise, as Pettitte said much the same during the season.
Discussion:
Pinstripes, Pa.
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Agent: Lyon could return to D-backs — Reliever open to closer or setup role, depending on team — PHOENIX — D-backs reliever Brandon Lyon filed for free agency on Monday, but his agent, Barry Meister, said not to count out a return to Arizona. — For now, though, Lyon will field offers …
MLB.com:
Pirates announce season ticket pricing for 2009 season — Club introduces four new value-priced full season plans and extended payment plan — The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today a series of fan-friendly initiatives for their season ticket holders in 2009.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Greg Spira / Baseball Prospectus:
The 2008 Internet Baseball Awards — AL Results and Wrap-Up — It's time to announce the winners of the 17th annual Internet Baseball Awards. More than 1,400 baseball fans from cyberspace participated in this effort to honor those players and managers whose performance in 2008 were most deserving.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Bless You Boys, SOX & Dawgs, YFSF, Let's Go Tribe! and Batter's Box Interactive …
