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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
2010 Top 50 Free Agents — It's time for the fourth annual MLB Trade Rumors Top 50 Free Agents list! The entire list of available free agents can be found here. — A note before we begin - this is a complicated puzzle, and I'll be satisfied if I'm correct on a quarter of these guesses.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Sox decline option on Gonzalez — The Red Sox have declined a $6 million option on shortstop Alex Gonzalez, according to a source, but the club still may have interest in bringing the player back in 2010 on a lesser salary. — News of the Sox' decision to forgo the option on Gonzalez comes …
Discussion:
Full Count, MVN, SOX & Dawgs, The House That Dewey Built, Sports Blog Net, MLB FanHouse, Over the Monster, MLB Rumors and NESN.com
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Victor Zambrano's mother kidnapped in Venezuela — The mother of former major league pitcher Victor Zambrano was kidnapped Sunday, Zambrano's agent Peter Greenberg said late Sunday night by phone. — Elizabeth Mendez Zambrano was abducted sometime Sunday morning from her son's farm …
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Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com:
Mom of former pitcher Zambrano kidnapped — Abduction took place early on Sunday in Venezuela — The mother of former Major Leaguer Victor Zambrano was kidnapped in Venezuela, The Associated Press reported Sunday. — Zambrano's agent, Peter Greenberg, told the AP that Elizabeth Mendez Zambrano …
Discussion:
24 Hours From Suicide
Bruce Miles / Daily Herald:
Stripped-down GM meetings set to open at O'Hare — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER — With a nod toward the tough economy, baseball's general managers will give up opulence and luxury for practicality when they convene for their annual meetings, beginning today at O'Hare.
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
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Roy Halladay / Toronto Star:
Griffin: Plenty of suitors in chase for Roy Halladay — The coming out party for new Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos begins today in Chicago. It's his first session as head man at the annual GM meetings. There will be young major-league GMs that welcome him to the fraternity with open arms.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
After getting rid of Milton Bradley, Chicago Cubs have 3 priorities in offseason — Finding leadoff hitter, center field and possible middle infielder on wish list — Milton Bradley leaves the game for a pinch runner in the 6th inning. (Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune / September 17, 2009)
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Chicago Tribune
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Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
THE DEAL HUNTERS — Is Milton Bradley still here? — Yeah, and he's holding up some of the decisions the Cubs might make as the hot-stove season gets started in earnest with the general managers meetings this week at the O'Hare Hilton. — But the flip side for the Cubs is that (1) …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Phillies decline option on Feliz — The Phillies have declined the option for 2010 on third baseman Pedro Feliz' contract, general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. announced in a press release. The Phillies had a $5.5 million option, a $5 million salary for 2010 and a $500,000 buyout.
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Mark Shanahan / Boston Globe:
Artful Dodgers, bleeding, blue — Here, Frank and Jamie McCourt were a formidable team. In LA, their second act may be just about up — Jamie McCourt (far left) and Frank McCourt (far right) at a Dodgers playoff game against the Phillies. (Kevork Djansezian/ Getty Images)
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts, Circling The Bases, Mike Scioscia's tragic illness, LA Observed and 6-4-2
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Royals covet a catcher as the next step in offseason overhaul — The next step in the Royals' offseason makeover is to acquire a catcher before Dec. 12 and therefore provide an alternative to offering a contract to arbitration-eligible John Buck. — “We led all of baseball (last season) …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Mike Scioscia's tragic illness, Royals Review and FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball
Joe Posnanski:
Hall of Fame Thoughts — Hall of Fame time already? Well, no. But to beat the rush, here are a few thoughts about four interesting new candidates ... Question: Who is the best eligible hitter who is not in the Hall of Fame? — I think this is an interesting question.
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Minor's rough start uncharacteristic — Prospect hit hard in Rising Stars game but has bright future — SURPRISE, Ariz. — The all-star event of the offseason league dubbed baseball's “finishing school” turned out to be the school of hard knocks for Mike Minor. — Well ... some hard knocks.
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