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.
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
RELATED:
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 …
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 …
Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:K-Rod signing story ‘total BS’
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, New Jersey Online, Mets Merized Online, Ya Gotta Believe and The 'Ropolitans
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:
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 …
Discussion:
It is about the money, stupid
RELATED:
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
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 …
Discussion:
THE BOOK
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
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.
