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, Ken Davidoff's baseball …, The 'Ropolitans, Mets Merized Online, Newsday and New York Post
RELATED:
ESPN:
Is K-Rod getting closer to becoming a Met? — 1050 ESPN's Met Insider Rich Coutinho thinks so — Reports surfaced early on Sunday that Francisco Rodriquez has inched closer to becoming a New York Met. Sources indicate that K-Rod and his representatives will come to New York early this week to take some physical exams.
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
New York Post:
METS BELIEVE IN SANTA CLOSE — LOOK FOR K-ROD OR FUENTES UNDER CITI FIELD TREE — CONTINUED — The Mets have been linked to Bobby Jenks. But the trade price for him - which almost certainly would have to include top prospect Fernando Martinez - makes this a no-go.
Sean McAdam / Boston Herald:
A good sign if Red Sox want Mark Teixeira — Attempting to ascertain the level of interest the Red Sox [team stats] have in free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira isn't easy. The Red Sox steadfastly refuse to signal how hard - or even, whether - they will pursue the switch-hitting slugger.
RELATED:
Geoff Baker / Seattle Times:
Mariners could name new manager as soon as Tuesday — Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik could name a new manager as soon as Tuesday after deciding not to hold a second round of interviews... Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik could name a new manager as soon as Tuesday …
ESPN:
Mets looking for strikeouts in bullpen (links) — • The Mariners might name their manager as soon as Tuesday, writes Geoff Baker. Jack Zduriencik tells Larry Larue that he has established a pecking order. — • It's hard to tell exactly how serious the Red Sox are about Mark Teixeira, writes Sean McAdam.
Agence France Presse:
Schoolgirl knuckleballer headed to Japan pro league — TOKYO (AFP) - A 16-year-old schoolgirl with a mean knuckleball has been selected as the first woman ever to play alongside the men in Japanese professional baseball. — Eri Yoshida was drafted for a new independent league that will launch in April …
RELATED:
Kara Scannell / Wall Street Journal:
SEC Charges Mark Cuban With Insider Trading — The Securities and Exchange Commission filed insider trading charges against Mark Cuban, the outspoken owner of the Dallas Mavericks, for allegedly dumping shares in Mamma.com upon learning it was raising money in a private offering (full text of complaint).
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 …
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.
Rich Lederer / Baseball Analysts:
The Bill James Handbook 2009 - Part One — One of the beauties of November is the arrival of The Bill James Handbook, the most stat-filled annual baseball guide available. The book, produced by Baseball Info Solutions and published by ACTA Sports, is always the first one to hit the market following the just-completed season.
Discussion:
Hardball Times
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Mussina to decide on retirement soon? — The Yankees hope 20-game winner Mike Mussina makes a decision soon about whether to retire. (Newsday / Paul J. Bereswill) — The Yankees don't necessarily expect a quick resolution on their offer to CC Sabathia.
