Top News:
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs get stronger as division gets weaker — Central Division rivals doing little this winter to challenge North Siders — Ryan Doumit lies. — The Pittsburgh Pirates' catcher says he signed a three-year, $11.5 million contract extension because he's “excited about what the future holds for the Pittsburgh Pirates.”
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PBC Blog
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JSOnline:
Don't expect big-bucks pitching move — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — As a preview of my baseball notes in the JS on Sunday, here are the first few paragraphs: — The logical assumption among many in Brewer Nation is that general manager Doug Melvin will follow the signing …
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Hoffman: ‘It was time to move on’ — All-time saves leader says Milwaukee was best fit for him — Trevor Hoffman, who agreed to sign with the Brewers on Thursday, told MLB.com in a telephone interview on Thursday that it was time to move on from San Diego and that Milwaukee seemed to be a better fit than Los Angeles.
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The Crawfish Boxes
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals interested in Nady, Swisher — Washington continues offseason search to add pop to lineup — WASHINGTON — The Nationals have interest in acquiring Yankees outfielder Xavier Nady and first baseman Nick Swisher. The two clubs are currently in trade discussions, according to a baseball source.
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Just A Nats Fan, MLB Rumors, Zell's Pinstripe Blog, River Avenue Blues, Federal Baseball and Sliding Into Home
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Source: Martinez talking to Marlins — SANTO DOMINGO, Domican Republic — Pedro Martinez and the Florida Marlins are believed to be in the beginning stages of negotiating a contract and could meet next week, a source told ESPNdeportes.com Saturday night. — The Marlins have spoken with Martínez's agent.
Discussion:
Mets Fever
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Busy Red Sox add reliever Saito — Ex-LA closer joins Penny, Smoltz, Baldelli as Boston signees — The Red Sox continue to stay busy this offseason. On Saturday, they officially announced they have signed reliever Takashi Saito to a one-year contract with a club option for 2010.
Jack Curry / New York Times:
For Henderson, the Hall of Fame Is on Line 1 — The voice-mail message on Rickey Henderson's cellphone is unusually wordy and quirky. He says hello and pauses, presumably to confuse callers into thinking he has actually answered, that it is not a recording.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Johnson signs to play in Japan — Former Rays first baseman agrees to one-deal with Yokohama — First baseman Dan Johnson signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Yokohama BayStars of Japan's Central League on Saturday, according to The Associated Press.
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Pavano's final hurt: feelings — Carl Pavano admitted, “I failed for four years in New York,” but he also suggested Friday that more support during his terrible tenure as a Yankee would have helped. — While Pavano said he didn't hold “any grudges,” he also noted, “When you're down …
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Astros offer peek into world of scouting — Assistant general manager Heck conducts three-day meeting — HOUSTON — At an impromptu press gathering at Union Station on Wednesday, Astros assistant general manager Bobby Heck offered a brief look into the inner workings of a scouting staff …
Jim Salisbury / Philly.com:
Garciaparra on deck for Phillies? — If infielder Nomar Garciaparra is interested in continuing his career, the Phillies may sign him to be a righthanded bat off their bench. — A team source yesterday confirmed a Fox sports report that said the Phillies had interest in the 35-year-old former …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves taking aim at Lowe, Kawakami — Free-agent righty, Japanese star could both end up in Atlanta — ATLANTA — The Braves are expected to make an offer to Derek Lowe early next week, but by that time they may have already added Kenshin Kawakami to their starting rotation.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, New York Baseball Hack, Mets Fever, 24 Hours From Suicide, MVN and Daily Yomiuri Online
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