Top News:
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 …
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 …
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:
New Jersey Online, Mets Merized Online, MLB Rumors, The 'Ropolitans and Ya Gotta Believe
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
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 …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
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 …
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.
Discussion:
SOX1FAN, MLB FanHouse, River Avenue Blues, The Big Lead, Boston Globe, SOX & Dawgs, Over the Monster and Fenway West
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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].
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
Fox Sports:
Expanded closer market good news for Mets — As more closers hit the open market, Joel Sherman says it's more likely the Mets will get one of the ones they want.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:MLB INSIDER: Mets getting closer to bringing in Jenks?
Discussion:
Mets Fever
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
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 …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Brewers GM: Yankees ‘overbidding’ for Sabathia — The New York Yankees' initial bid for CC Sabathia reportedly is in a different stratosphere than the Brewers' first offer, and Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin said he doesn't really understand the logic behind it.
New York Post:
BLUE-COLLAR DEREK PERFECT FOR YANKS — CC SABATHIA is the prize catch for the Yankees, but don't underesti mate the importance of signing free agent Derek Lowe. — After getting Sabathia on the dotted line - and it appears the Yankees are back to the days when they just blow the competition …
John Perrotto / Baseball Prospectus:
Every Given Sunday — Seabiscuit, Salomon, and Skippers — Tim Lincecum's aunt came up with the perfect nickname for her nephew a few years ago when she began calling him Seabiscuit. The Giants right-hander certainly has a few things in common with the legendary racehorse: they're both undersized, and they're both winners.
