Top News:
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Sox near deals with Penny, Bard — The Red Sox are nearing an agreement with free-agent righthanded starting pitcher Brad Penny, according to baseball sources. The one-year deal would be worth $5 million, with $3 million in performance bonuses believed to start at approximately 160 innings pitched.
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Penny may bolster Boston's rotation — Right-hander made 17 starts in injury-plagued '08 with Dodgers — BOSTON — When it comes to free-agent starting pitchers, it almost always has been Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein's choice to pass up lucrative, long-term deals in favor of low-risk, high-reward solutions.
Sean McAdam / Boston Herald:
Red Sox agree with Brad Penny, Josh Bard — The Red Sox [team stats] have an agreement in place with pitcher Brad Penny that will be finalized tomorrow, a source confirmed tonight. — The one-year deal will have a base salary of $5 million. Incentives and performance bonuses can increase …
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Red Sox Close To One-Year Deal With Penny — By Tim Dierkes [December 28 at 4:07pm CST] — According to Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox are close to signing Brad Penny to a one-year deal. The two sides are still hammering out the agreement, and Penny would have to pass a physical.
Nat Boyle / MLB Rumors:
Olney's Latest: No Big Money For Manny? — By Nat Boyle [December 28 at 12:53pm CST] — Buster Olney's latest discusses the bleak outlook for Manny Ramirez in landing the long-term, big money contract he's seeking. … Olney provides a brief rundown on all teams considered potential players …
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
Manny solely to blame for his current plight — The day after Manny Ramirez golfed an ankle-high pitch halfway up the bleachers in Wrigley Field in the National League Division Series, Dodgers manager Joe Torre chatted with reporters about the slugger. Torre said that after Ramirez was traded to L.A. …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Tom E. Curran / NBCSports.com: NFL:
Brady behind schedule in recovery from surgery — Pats must consider keeping Cassel because star QB's knee won't be whole — Tom Brady's slow march toward recovery puts the Patriots in a dilemma as they try to decide whether to put the franchise tag on Matt Cassel. — Matty's musical tribute to Brady
John Sickels / Minor League Ball:
Los Angeles Dodgers Top 20 Prospects for 2009 — One in a long line of Mr. Albuquerques. — Los Angeles Dodgers 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.
John Perrotto / Baseball Prospectus:
Rickey Definitely Yes, McGwire Unfortunately No — The Hall of Fame voting deadline is fast approaching, as ten-year members of the Baseball Writers Association of America must submit their ballots by midnight on Wednesday. Candidates must be named on 75 percent of the ballots cast …
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Peavy trade not probable, but organization will listen to offers — Jake Peavy, shown throwing against the Baltimore Orioles on June 19, 2007, continues to dominate the Padres offseason. — Will the Padres trade Jake Peavy? — Not likely, Padres CEO Sandy Alderson said after trade talks with the Cubs collapsed this month.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Not catching many offers — Varitek, Rodriguez deal with age issue — There was a time not long ago when if Pudge Rodriguez and Jason Varitek were both available in the free agent market, there would be a stampede for their services. Now, there's barely a whisper.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Christian Red / NY Daily News:
Hospital to shed Clemens' name — Roger Clemens can't get to 2009 soon enough. — Five days before the new year, Clemens received another professional setback and blow to his ego. — Houston's Memorial Hermann Medical Center announced Saturday that it is removing Clemens' name …
thelotd.com:
From Walt Jocketty 12.27 — Just got off the phone with Walt Jocketty about Taveras and some other things. — On whether this signifies a change in the Reds' philosophy, going with a speed guy and not really replacing some of the big bats that left: “It's more of what was available for us and what we had to do to improve the club.
