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 …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
RELATED:
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.
Discussion:
The New York Mets Report
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,
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 …
RELATED:
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Yanks deal Rasner to Japanese club — Righty, who spent most of 2008 in rotation, requested trade — The New York Yankees obliged Darrell Rasner's wishes by selling his contract to a team in Japan's Central League for $1 million, according to a Saturday night report by ESPN.com.
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.
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
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.
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 …
RELATED:
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 …
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 …
Nat Boyle / MLB Rumors:
Union Pressuring Sabathia? — By Nat Boyle [November 16 at 11:28am CST] — Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News reports that CC Sabathia may be getting pressured by the Players Association to accept the Yankees 6 year, $140MM offer. Sabathia inking this dea would result …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
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 …
RELATED: