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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MetsBlog.com
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New York Post:
METS BELIEVE IN SANTA CLOSE — LOOK FOR K-ROD OR FUENTES UNDER CITI FIELD TREE — SOMETIMES it is good to be an innocent bystander. By simply waiting on the outskirts for the free agency period to begin, the Mets saw the closer market expand - and, thus with it, their chances of landing one of the ninth-inning arms they desire.
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The New York Mets Report
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Mets open their search for new closer — The Mets officially began shopping for a closer Friday, touching base with the agents for Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes on the first day of free agency, but they apparently are in no hurry to buy. — One person familiar with the team's strategy …
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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Alex Walsh / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Sell Rasner To Japanese Team — By Alex Walsh [November 15 at 7:39pm CST] — In line with totally revamping their starting rotation, Jerry Crasnick at ESPN.com reports that the New York Yankees have sold RHP Darrell Rasner to the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Pacific League for $1 million.
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Bottom9 Baseball
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 …
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wrigleyville23
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.
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Fenway West
JSOnline:
Yankees' offer baffles Melvin — Sabathia bid reportedly $140 million — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — The New York Yankees reportedly offered free agent left-hander CC Sabathia the biggest pitching contract in major-league history Friday, which drew a somewhat puzzled response …
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Nick Zaccardi / MLB.com:
Big Unit on Cubs' radar — North Siders one of six teams to contact southpaw's agents — CHICAGO — With Kerry Wood out of the picture and Ryan Dempster and Jake Peavy out in the open, the Cubs are considering another big name — the Big Unit. — Free agent left-hander Randy Johnson …
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Harvey Araton / New York Times:
Suffering and Snobbery as Cuban Pursues Cubs — It is common knowledge that Mark Cuban, who apparently has not suffered enough watching his Dallas Mavericks being eliminated in the first round of the N.B.A. playoffs the last two years, is trying to buy the Chicago Cubs.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats, Whitney agree to deal — First baseman signs Minor League contract with Washington — WASHINGTON — The Nationals and first baseman Matt Whitney have agreed to terms on a Minor League contract, with an invitation to Spring Training, according to Whitney's representative, Jim Munsey.
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MLB Rumors
ESPN:
Braves GM: Trade talks for Padres' Peavy are off — Trade talks between the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres over pitcher Jake Peavy have hit the wall, and according to Braves general manager Frank Wren, the Braves have “moved on.” — The Padres, in the midst of dumping payroll …
