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 3:38pm CST] — 3:38pm: Joel Sherman says the 2012 option is for $4MM, with a $250K buyout. — 1:06pm: It's official. Marte gets a three-year deal with a club option for 2012. — 9:01am: According to Impacto Deportivo …
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Yanks, Marte agree to three-year deal — Reliever, 33, gives Bombers solid left-hander in the bullpen — NEW YORK — The possibility of operating without an established left-handed option out of the bullpen, as the Yankees did for much of last season, is no longer a concern.
Discussion:
Mets Today
Associated Press:
After declining option, Yanks sign reliever Marte … NEW YORK (AP) — Left-hander Damaso Marte and the New York Yankees agreed Wednesday to a $12 million, three-year contract that includes a club option for 2012. — New York last week declined a $6 million option on the 33-year-old reliever, choosing to pay a $250,000 buyout.
Discussion:
bronxbanterblog.com
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 …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings, Brew Crew Ball, Walkoff Walk, MLB FanHouse, River Avenue Blues and Rays Index
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
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Piniella honored as Manager of Year — Cubs skipper wins award for third time, donates prize money — CHICAGO — Lou Piniella, who guided the Cubs to the best record in the National League, was named Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Wednesday.
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:
Associated Press:
Red Sox won't increase 2009 Fenway ticket prices — BOSTON — For the first time in more than a decade, the Boston Red Sox aren't increasing their ticket prices at Fenway Park for the 2009 season. — The team said Wednesday that it had increased prices in each of the past 14 years.
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
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
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Lefty prospect Smoker has surgery — Pitcher's shoulder should be fine in time for Spring Training — WASHINGTON — Nationals left-hander Josh Smoker underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove a bone spur from his left shoulder. Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery …
Sean Smith / Hardball Times:
Replacement level defined — Where or what is replacement level? This is a question that does not have a perfect answer. The concept in baseball is this: what is the quality of player you could get for the least cost, such as major league minimum, without having to give up value elsewhere?
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:
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:
