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.
Discussion:
ESPN, River Avenue Blues, The Joy of Sox, Fire Brand of the …, Projo Sox Blog, Over the Monster and Main Board
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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 …
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Red Sox close to bringing back Bard — Boston remains interested in re-signing Varitek as starter — BOSTON — Though Jason Varitek's status remains in limbo, the Red Sox have established some forward momentum with regard to their catching situation for 2009, with free agent Josh Bard apparently poised for a return to Boston.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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 …
RELATED:
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
D-backs, Snyder nearing extension — Catcher on verge of finalizing three-year deal — PHOENIX — Catcher Chris Snyder is on the verge of finalizing a three-year contract extension with the D-backs, and Brandon Webb could not be happier for his teammate and close friend.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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
Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com:
Hendrickson could be an Oriole very soon (updated) — The Orioles are close to reaching an agreement with free-agent pitcher Mark Hendrickson, and an annoucement could be made early this week pending the results of a physical. — Update: Hendrickson definitely will be in Baltimore this week to take his physical.
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 …
