Top News:
Andrew Baggarly / Extra Baggs:
Hot Stove thoughts: Furcal a sensible target for Giants — I'm a thousand miles from the GM meetings in Orange County (and a little further away, politically speaking). But while I watch the steady rain fall here in Eugene, a few thoughts on the Giants' early offseason posturing:
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Los Angeles Times:
Angels expect to make offer to Mark Teixeira soon — General Manager Tony Reagins says the club might submit a bid and ask for a prompt response ‘over the course of the next couple of weeks.’ — The Angels started and finished negotiations with Vladimir Guerrero within 48 hours.
Ken Davidoff / Ken Davidoff's baseball insider:
GMs' meetings: Wrapping up Wednesday — OK, one more cleaning of the notebook before I begin the job for which I get paid... - The Dodgers have offered Manny Ramirez a contract with the second-highest annual average value among current players, Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told reporters about an hour ago.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yankees set to meet with Boras — Let's see what's in the notebook so far today ... The Yankees will have a sit-down with Scott Boras tonight. The chat will center on Mark Teixeira and Derek Lowe. Boras would love to have the Yankees involved with Manny Ramirez, but the club seems to have little appetite for that. ...
Discussion:
WEEI Blogs
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:Pitching the catcher — Agent Scott Boras answers questions …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Ken Davidoff / Ken Davidoff's baseball insider:GMs' meetings: The folly of spending big on setup guys
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Greg Maddux adds to record with 18th Gold Glove — NEW YORK — Age is no issue for Greg Maddux when it comes to fielding his position. The 42-year-old pitcher won his record 18th Gold Glove on Wednesday while outfielder Shane Victorino of the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies …
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Robert Falkoff / MLB.com:
Maddux adds an 18th Gold Glove — Rollins, Beltran, Wright also repeat as winners — Greg Maddux has an 18th Gold Glove to carry with him as he heads off into the sunset. — One day after agent Scott Boras said at the General Managers Meetings that Maddux intends to retire …
Discussion:
Walkoff Walk
Larry LaRue / Mariners Insider:
Morning at the St. Regis - and rumors keep popping up — Before heading into another mass meeting, baseball GMs and their assistants talked about rumors in the same way fans do - all wondering which were true and where some came from. — Among those floating here this morning:
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Eating, observing, waiting for Peavy deal — Dana Point, Calif. _ A few thoughts while contemplating how well-heeled and privileged anyone automatically looks while sitting at white-umbrella'd tables on the St. Regis dining veranda, out there on the immaculately manicured lawn behind …
Ken Davidoff / Ken Davidoff's baseball insider:
GMs' meetings: Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte — Mike Mussina's agent Arn Tellem is here. Said Tellem of his client and whether he'll retire: “He hasn't decided yet. I think he'll decide sooner than later. It's a major life decision.” The bet here still is that Mussina retires.
Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Rays' Upton draws interest — But team unlikely to deal sweet-swinging outfielder — DANA POINT, Calif. — Several teams have contacted the Rays regarding B.J. Upton, according to multiple Major League sources, but it appears unlikely Tampa Bay will move the talented outfielder.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Bonds' lawyers ask judge to dismiss 10 charges … SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Attorneys for Barry Bonds urged a federal judge Wednesday to toss out charges accusing baseball's all-time home run king of lying to a grand jury about his alleged steroid use. They said the questions asked during his testimony were too ambiguous.
Discussion:
Fox Sports
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Dessens files for free agency — Journeyman righty had tough tenure with Braves in 2008 — ATLANTA — Elmer Dessens' latest attempt to prove he can still pitch in the Majors was disappointing. But the veteran right-hander, who essentially remained idle throughout September with the Braves …
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
The Schmuck Stops Here:
That didn't take long — Ron Blum of the Associated Press sent out a story today outlining how baseball player agents might push for bigger signing bonuses on contracts signed before Jan. 1 to avoid paying the higher income tax rates proposed by President-Elect Barrack Obama.
Ken Gurnick / Hot Stove Blog:
Dodgers Decline Option on Penny — The Dodgers declined the $9.25 million option for 2009 on pitcher Brad Penny and paid him a $2 million buyout, allowing the 30-year-old right-hander to become a free agent. After winning 16 games in both 2006 and 2007, Penny went 6-9 with a 6.27 ERA in 2008 …
