Top News:
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
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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.
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 …
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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.
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 …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals not pursuing Manny — Team interested in Rockies' Gonzalez to fill center field — WASHINGTON — There have been several reports recently that the Nationals have expressed interest in free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez. Not so, according to general manager Jim Bowden.
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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 …
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ESPN:
Report: Ortiz knew Manny had to leave Boston — Manny Ramirez protected David Ortiz in the Red Sox's lineup, and Ortiz backed his friend to the media. But even Ortiz knew Ramirez had to go. — Speaking to WEEI Radio's Dennis and Callahan show on Wednesday, Ortiz admitted that Ramirez's tenure with the Red Sox had gone downhill.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, Boston Globe, iYankees, MLB FanHouse, Rounding the Bases and Red Sox Monster
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.
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Tidbits on Big Unit, Peavy — A couple of quick updates on a pair of notable pitchers . . . - Looks like a big meeting in Arizona tonight between the Diamondbacks and Randy Johnson could go far in determining whether the Big Unit, a free agent, remains in Arizona, as is his preference, or has to seek employment elsewhere.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Hairston grateful to Reds for chance — Free agent expected to hit open market, open to Cincinnati return — CINCINNATI — Infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. rediscovered success last season with the Reds and is grateful. — Hairston, a free agent, wouldn't mind having another go in Cincinnati …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Orioles unveil new look to uniforms — Subtle changes made to logo; Maryland patch added to jersey — BALTIMORE — It's a new look and a new identity. The Orioles unveiled several changes to their uniform and logo Wednesday, most of which are designed around underlining the team's presence in the local community.
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds to receive environmental award — Recycling, conservation and carbon-neutral games earn recognition — CINCINNATI — For their environmental efforts this year, the Reds are being recognized by Hamilton County. — On Thursday, the Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District …
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Carl Pavano says he is open to returning to Florida Marlins — WEST PALM BEACH — Right-hander Carl Pavano says he is open to a reunion with the Marlins. And wherever he winds up, Pavano is determined to shed his label as one of the biggest free-agent busts in baseball history.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
For free-agent pitchers, it's buyer beware — Historically speaking, we needn't look far to recognize that pitching can be as volatile as stocks, albeit on a far more consistent basis. For every good long-term pitching deal that pans out, there are seemingly several that do not.
Associated Press:
Rays' Upton undergoes surgery on torn labrum — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay center fielder B.J. Upton had surgery on his left shoulder this week and the Rays expect him to be ready by Opening Day. — Dr. James Andrews did the surgery Tuesday, Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.
