Top News:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
MLB INSIDER: Mets getting closer to bringing in Jenks? — Bobby Jenks doesn't carry the albatross of a long-term contract around his neck and he's coming off a strong 2008 season. So when you're looking at the White Sox through the prism of our New York teams, don't make too many connections between Jenks …
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Nat Boyle / MLB Rumors:
Mets Concerned About K-Rod's Velocity — By Nat Boyle [November 16 at 9:43am CST] — John Harper of the New York Daily News has been reporting on a rumor that Francisco Rodriguez's decreased velocity last season has been a source of hesitation for the Mets. Harper reported yesterday,
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Yankees sell rights to pitcher Rasner for $1 million to team in Japan … Right-handed pitcher Darrell Rasner, who started 20 games for the New York Yankees last season, has been sold to a team in Japan for $1 million, his agent said. — Rasner, 27, expects to sign a two-year deal …
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Reaching beyond the stars — A world of talent on the second level — We know the top-tier free agents: Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramírez, CC Sabathia, Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett, Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, Rafael Furcal. But there are many teams looking to score with players on a lower level …
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Robert Falkoff / MLB.com:
Red Sox, Tigers talking Lugo deal — Willis or Robertson could reportedly be headed to Boston — The Tigers are looking for shortstop help, and may have the Red Sox's Julio Lugo on their radar screen. — The Boston Globe reported on Sunday that Detroit is contemplating a deal with Boston …
Pedro Gomez / ESPN.com:
Red Sox were poised to suspend Manny — A week before Boston traded Manny Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers late last July, the relationship between the Red Sox and their left fielder had grown so contentious and strained that the club was prepared to take the extraordinary step of suspending its best hitter, ESPN has learned.
The Journal News:
Yankees should be wary of making big-money offers to these five players — Baseball Beat: Peter Abraham — The Yankees have taken a big swing at free agency, offering CC Sabathia $140 million for six seasons. That would be a record deal for a pitcher. Given that he is the size …
New York Post:
BLUE-COLLAR DEREK PERFECT FOR YANKS — CC SABATHIA is the prize catch for the Yankees, but don't underesti mate the importance of signing free agent Derek Lowe. — After getting Sabathia on the dotted line - and it appears the Yankees are back to the days when they just blow the competition …
Nat Boyle / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Pursuing Peavy — By Nat Boyle [November 16 at 10:23am CST] — A quick update on Jake Peavy. On Thursday, Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune said it was clear that neither the Braves nor Cubs would be acquiring Peavy. The Braves are moving on, looking at A.J. Burnett …
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pujols or Howard: It's a hard race to call — On Monday the National League Most Valuable Player will be announced. The Cardinals' Albert Pujols and Phillies' Ryan Howard, a St. Louis native, are frontrunners for the award. — Results of Major League Baseball's annual Rorschach test …
Mark Hale / New York Post:
JOBA: I'M SORRY FOR DUI ARREST — Joba Chamberlain had issued a statement - through his agent - after being arrested for drunk driving last month, issuing an apology and saying his plan was for it to be a one-time mistake. — But Chamberlain had yet to speak publicly about the arrest.
ESPN:
Brewers GM: Yankees ‘overbidding’ for Sabathia — The New York Yankees' initial bid for CC Sabathia reportedly is in a different stratosphere than the Brewers' first offer, and Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin said he doesn't really understand the logic behind it.