Top News:
ESPN.com:
Big Unit agrees to one-year contract with Giants — SAN FRANCISCO — The Big Unit is heading home to the Bay Area. — Randy Johnson and the San Francisco Giants agreed to an $8 million, one-year contract Friday, meaning the 45-year-old pitcher will go for his 300th win with a new team.
RELATED:
MLB.com:
Giants sign free-agent pitcher Randy Johnson to one-year deal — SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Adding one of the most prolific pitchers in Major League history, the San Francisco Giants have signed free agent left-hander Randy Johnson to a one-year contract, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Sabean announced today.
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Giants sign Big Unit to one-year deal — Future Hall of Famer and local product five wins from 300 — SAN FRANCISCO — Reflecting their intent to vault back into contender's status immediately, the Giants signed free-agent left-hander Randy Johnson to a one-year, $8 million contract Friday.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter (TCR)
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Yankees may go with Phil Hughes if Andy Pettitte balks — Before the Yankees signed Mark Teixeira, they told Andy Pettitte's camp that the pitcher's chances of rejoining the Bombers would be in jeopardy if they signed another big free agent. Now that the Yanks have landed their new first baseman …
RELATED:
John Sickels / Minor League Ball:
New York Yankees Top 20 Prospects for 2009 — He was NOT the next Bobby Bonds. . . New York Yankees Top 20 Prospects for 2009. — All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. Don't get too worried about exact rankings at this point, especially once you get out of the top 10.
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds ink Taveras to two-year deal — CINCINNATI — The Reds on Saturday signed free-agent center fielder Willy Taveras to a two-year contract. — Financial terms of the contract weren't immediately known. — Taveras, 27, spent the past two seasons with the Rockies.
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's target Abreu, Angels' Anderson — (12-26) 21:01 PST — Jason Giambi is the A's next free-agent target, but there are others on Oakland's list, too. — The Chronicle has learned that the team has had preliminary conversations about free-agent outfielders Bobby Abreu and Garret Anderson …
Richard Durrett / TEXAS RANGERS:
No offer (yet?) for Ben Sheets — Rangers general manager Jon Daniels was on The Ticket with Norm Hitzges on Friday and said that the club has not made an offer to Ben Sheets. He didn't indicate when or if the Rangers would do so, but said he's in communication with Sheets' agent.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
2008 Free Agent Bargains and Busts (Hitters) — By Tim Dierkes [December 27 at 12:39am CST] — Using Wins Above Replacement data from FanGraphs and contract info from Cot's Baseball Contracts, I have determined the biggest free agent bargains and busts of the 2008 season (position players only).
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Red Sox consider Plan B — So Mark Teixeira got his wish, a new home by Christmas. The Red Sox? Well, they're not out $170 million. — That might be all that can be said about the developments of recent days, in which the Sox lost out to the Yankees for the first baseman they had been pining …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Chicago Cubs eye 2 Japanese pitchers — Despite mixed results from the Kosuke Fukudome experiment, the Cubs are considering inviting two Japanese pitchers to spring training to compete for relief jobs. — The pitcher they're most interested in is Ken Kadokura, a 35-year-old right-hander …
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Olney's Latest: Lowe, Castillo, Hudson — By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 27 at 10:35am CST] — Buster Olney focuses his new column on reluctant-to-spend teams and how they've changed the market. He turns up some interesting rumors... - The Rays and A's are in a “bidding war” …
