Top News:
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets expected to make offers soon — The Mets' true offseason strategy will reveal itself this week when general manager Omar Minaya finally extends offers to his top free-agent targets. A person familiar with the situation did not specify which day Minaya will deliver the numbers to Francisco Rodriguez or Brian Fuentes.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MetsBlog.com, The 'Ropolitans, Mets Merized Online, Ken Davidoff's baseball …, Newsday and New York Post
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Jeff / Lookout Landing:
Agents Are Honest — Daily News: … Francisco Rodriguez fastballs, 2008: 638 — Francisco Rodriguez fastballs >96.0 mph, 2008: 2 — Francisco Rodriguez, pitches to Raul Ibanez in September: — 94 — 94 — 87 — 88 — 82 — 87 — 89 — 88 — 94 — 79 — 81
Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
K-Rod signing story ‘total BS’ — Um, yeah ... about that Venezuelan newspaper report that Francisco Rodriguez was in New York today for a physical in advance of signing with the Mets. Not true at all, according to multiple people on both sides of the situation.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, New Jersey Online, Mets Merized Online, Ya Gotta Believe and The 'Ropolitans
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets, agent deny K-Rod speculation — Team source, closer's rep discredit article saying deal near — NEW YORK — The Mets and the agent representing Francisco Rodriguez have discredited a report in a Venezuelan newspaper that the free-agent relief pitcher had traveled to New York …
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Relief Pitcher: K-Rod may have been in NYC — According to El Universal, Francisco Rodriguez traveled to New York City ‘to be checked by doctors,’ in advance of eventually signing a contract with the Mets, according to a source linked to the closer. — “The Mets have made the best offer so far …
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
NL MVP Preview — The BBWAA announce the National League MVP award this afternoon, and the pundits seem to handicap it as a race between Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard. However, that ignores a middle infielder with a great season, Hanley Ramirez. — There is no doubt Albert Pujols was the best hitter in the majors this season.
Discussion:
Baseball Crank
Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
It's the 2009 Hardball Times Baseball Annual — We have a little tradition going on here at The Hardball Times. Once a year, we produce a book called The Hardball Times Baseball Annual. We do it for a couple of reasons. One, we miss the good old days of books like the Bill James Abstract …
Discussion:
THE BOOK
Associated Press:
Japanese schoolgirl picked in pro baseball draft — CBSSports.com wire reports — TOKYO — A 16-year-old schoolgirl is making a unique pitch to become the first woman to play professional baseball in Japan. — High school student Eri Yoshida was drafted by the Kobe 9 Cruise …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Aaron / AaronGleeman.com:
Free Agent Options: The Bullpen — While not unexpected, news of Pat Neshek's delayed decision to undergo Tommy John elbow surgery leaves the Twins without their top setup man for 2009 and makes addressing the bullpen's weakness an even bigger offseason priority.
Discussion:
Hardball Times
The Heater:
Townsend undergoes shoulder surgery; doubtful for '09 — Rays RHP prospect Wade Townsend, their first-round pick in 2005, underwent surgery on his right shoulder, and it is doubtful he'll pitch in the 2009 season, according to Mitch Lukevics, director of minor league operations.
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 …
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Pedro Martinez feels Manny Ramirez pain — But won't excuse selfish slugger — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — Besides being in the same free agent market as Manny Ramirez [stats], Pedro Martinez has another thing in common with his ex-teammate: He knows a thing or two about leaving the Red Sox [team stats].
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yanks' Rasner Going to Japan — Only Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina made more starts for the Yankees last season than Darrell Rasner. In a year filled with injuries, Rasner stayed healthy enough to start 20 games. — Yet with his 28th birthday approaching in January …
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