Top News:
MLB.com:
Yankees sign LHP Damaso Marte to a three-year contract with a club option for 2012 — The New York Yankees announced today that they have signed left-handed pitcher Damaso Marte to a three-year contract with a one-year club option for 2012. — Marte, 33, was acquired by the Yankees …
RELATED:
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Sign Damaso Marte — By Tim Dierkes [November 12 at 1:06pm CST] — 1:06pm: It's official. Marte gets a three-year deal with a club option for 2012. — 9:01am: According to Impacto Deportivo, the Yankees signed Damaso Marte to a three-year, $12MM deal (link is in Spanish).
Mark Feinsand / Blogging the Bombers:
Marte gets three-year, $12M deal — The Yankees have made their first move of the winter, re-signing Damaso Marte to a three-year, $12 million deal. — The Daily News reported last week that the two sides were getting close on a three-year contract, so this doesn't come as much of a surprise.
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Maddon, Piniella named top skippers — Two colorful characters tabbed AL, NL Managers of the Year — Joe Maddon and the man he succeeded as Tampa Bay manager, Lou Piniella, were named Managers of the Year in the American League and National League, respectively, by the Baseball Writers' Association …
RELATED:
Bill Ballew / Baseball America:
Tampa Bay Rays — Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.
Discussion:
The Heater
ESPN.com:
Maddon wins AL manager of year; Piniella wins NL — NEW YORK — Joe Maddon has won the American League Manager of the Year after guiding the Tampa Bay Rays from baseball's basement to the World Series. Lou Piniella of the Chicago Cubs is the National League winner.
Discussion:
ShysterBall
MLB.com:
Red Sox freeze ticket prices for 2009 season — First time in 14 years the team holds prices on all seats and standing room tickets available to the public; Spring Training prices also held — BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox today announced the team is holding prices at 2008 levels …
RELATED:
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Despite economy, Yanks will be big spenders — The Yankees know their needs — starting pitching tops the list — and are ready to start spending once free agency opens Friday, co-chairperson Hal Steinbrenner said yesterday. — “We're going to do what we do every year,” Steinbrenner said …
RELATED:
Ken Davidoff / Ken Davidoff's baseball insider:The Yankees and their bags of money
Discussion:
iYankees
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:Hal: We're ready for free agency
Discussion:
Respect Jeter's Gangster, It is about the money, stupid, MLB.com and Zell's Pinstripe Blog
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Crasnick: A victim of bad timing … The first big item on Ben Sheets' offseason agenda comes Dec. 14, when he will serve as grand marshal of the Christmas parade in Gonzales, La. — aka “the jambalaya capital of the world.” — Sometime before spring training, Sheets will find out where he'll be pitching in 2009.
MLB.com:
MLB Network adds to on-air talent lineup — Al Leiter and Harold Reynolds join as studio analysts along with reporters Trenni Kusnierek and Hazel Mae — SECAUCUS, N.J. — MLB Network today announced four new additions to its roster of on-air talent, naming baseball veterans Al Leiter …
Discussion:
24 Hours From Suicide
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets keeping tabs on closers' market — Fuentes, Rodriguez, Wood appeal most to Minaya — NEW YORK — The pending Rockies-A's trade that will move Matt Holliday to the American League and put Huston Street in the National League appears to have little impact on the Mets — at least little immediate impact.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
RELATED:
Steve Virgen / Daily Pilot:
Former Mets star says have fun — BASEBALL: The Hall of Fame pitcher advises prep players to enjoy the moment, as he speaks in Newport Beach. — Tom Seaver seemed to be so comfortable, sitting at The Cannery with a beer in front of him, Tommy Davis to his left and Doug DeCinces to his right.
Discussion:
24 Hours From Suicide
Paul DePodesta / It Might Be Dangerous:
Giles and Hoffman — I apologize for the dual subjects of this post, especially given the importance of each individual one. However, both are timely, and neither should be ignored. — There were a lot of relevant comments following the Brian Giles post, so I wanted to respond.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, San Diego Union-Tribune, blogs.trb.com, It is about the money, stupid and Gaslamp Ball
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Braves' new world could revolve around Peavy — For a franchise that won 14 consecutive division titles, fourth place does not suffice. So Frank Wren has a plan. — He's going to remake the Atlanta Braves. Preferably by taking a major first step in the next few days.
Discussion:
iYankees
RELATED:
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
3 UP: Jenks, Manny and A-Rod — 1. Bobby Jenks is available and the Mets are interested. Why wouldn't they be? Jenks will pitch next season at just 28. He is a World Series-winning closer. He has 111 saves over the past three years. He is not a free agent until after the 2011 season.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Evolution of Texas Rangers pitchers begins in training room — egrant@dallasnews.com — ARLINGTON - In an attempt to toughen up the worst pitching staff in the majors, the Rangers have tapped into the philosophies of an old-school pitching guru. — His name: Charles Darwin.
