Top News:
Ken Davidoff / Ken Davidoff's baseball insider:
GMs' meetings: The Yankees met yesterday with CC Sabathia's agents — Not a shocker, but the next step: Two of Sabathia's agents, Greg Genske and Brian Peters - Scott Parker also works with LS Legacy Sports Group - said that the Yankees were one of several teams with whom they met yesterday.
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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.
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.
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 …
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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, New York Post, MLB Rumors, River Avenue Blues, Hot Foot and Pinstripes, Pa.
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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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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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?
Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Church is no fan of Francesa — We knew all along (and from personal experience) that Mike Francesa's talk-radio blather last month about Mets right fielder Ryan Church hating it in New York was a bunch of nonsense. — Well, that was confirmed from the source today when Church told mlb.com …
Discussion:
Mike Silva's NY Baseball …
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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.
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
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.
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 …
