Top News:
Adam Hirshfield / NESN.com:
Jason Varitek to Exercise Player Option, Will Stay With Red Sox — The Red Sox declined to exercise their $5 million team option on catcher Jason Varitek on Monday, but that doesn't mean the longtime captain will be leaving Boston. — NESN learned on Monday night that the 37-year-old Varitek …
RELATED:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Sox pick up V-Mart option — CHICAGO — It does not come as a surprise, but it's pleasant news for Red Sox fans nonetheless. — Victor Martinez is officially under contract for next season. — The club has exercised its $7.1 million 2010 option for the 30-year-old catcher/first baseman, according to his agent Alan Nero.
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Wakefield, Sox Agree on New Two-Year Deal — The Red Sox have chosen not to pick up Tim Wakefield's $4 million option for the 2010 season; instead, the team and the pitcher have come to terms on a two-year deal. The new contract will pay the 43-year-old a guaranteed $5 million …
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Red Sox Decline $5 Million Option on Varitek — CHICAGO — The Red Sox declined their one-year, $5 million option for the 2010 season on catcher Jason Varitek, according to a major-league source. Now, Varitek has five days to decide whether to exercise his one-year, $3 million player option …
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox throw Wakefield a change-up — The Red Sox did some cost-cutting with Tim Wakefield today according to sources. Rather than pick up his $4 million option for 2010, they signed him to a $3.5 million deal. He also will get a $1.5 million deal for 2011 that includes incentives.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Wakefield, Sox renegotiating — In the wake of a back injury that required Tim Wakefield to have offseason surgery, the pitcher and the Red Sox are close to finalizing a two-year deal that would give Wakefield the chance to become the club's all-time leader in victories.
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:Red Sox make it all official
Discussion:
The Mighty Quinn Media Machine
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.
Discussion:
Kansas City Star, Mariners blog, Mack's Mets, Yawkey Way Academy, Dodger Divorce, TedQuarters.net, McCovey Chronicles, Bronx Baseball Daily, It's About The Money, Camden Chat, Bless You Boys, Sports Blog Net, MVN, The Real Dirty Mets Blog, MetsBlog.com, Sliding Into Home, Mike Silva's …, Kranepool Society, YanksBlog.com, MASNsports.com, The 'Ropolitans and Boston Globe
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Yanks eye Lackey … CHICAGO — The world champion Yankees have top free-agent pitcher John Lackey on their free-agent shopping list, sources said. The Yankees aren't expected to be as aggressive this winter on the free market as last offseason and they haven't firmed up all their plans as yet …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, Zell's Pinstripe Blog, NESN.com, The iYankees Blog and The Yankee Universe
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Executives chime in on offseason topics — Sign Holliday or Bay? Should instant replay be expanded? And where will Lackey land? — ESPN.com — CHICAGO — Major League Baseball general managers have a demanding job marked by long hours, stifling pressure and constant second-guessing.
Ed Price / MLB FanHouse:
MLB Free-Agent Compensation ‘Elias Rankings’ Released — CHICAGO — The annual Elias rankings are out, determining which free agents could result in draft-pick compensation for their former teams. — Free agents are classified as Type A, Type B or not at all.
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Mark Cuban says he'd be interested in buying the Dodgers — Cuban says he'd base a decision on his ability to buy a controlling share as part of an ownership group. The Dodgers are not for sale, but the McCourt divorce raises questions about team's future.
The Heater:
Tampa Bay Rays decision on option for LF Carl Crawford, and others, could come soon — View Photo Gallery: All-Star Carl Crawford — While the Tampa Bay Rays have already made some moves to shore up their 2010 roster (like re-signing RF Gabe Kapler), they have more decisions …
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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.
RELATED:
Roy Halladay / Toronto Star:Griffin: Plenty of suitors in chase for Roy Halladay
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Larry Stone / Seattle Times:
Why I'm feeling (slightly) better about Edgar Martinez's Hall of Fame chances — I've written numerous columns over the years on Edgar Martinez and Cooperstown, and I promise I'll write many more, because the magic moment is coming: Edgar has had his requisite five years …
Discussion:
ESPN
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Jeff D'Alessio / Sporting News:
Rockies G.M. Dan O'Dowd named SN's executive of year — Had he not made the most agonizing move of his 27 years in baseball — firing his friend and manager, Clint Hurdle, after the Rockies' 18-28 start — Dan O'Dowd might be collecting unemployment right now.
Brad Hawpe / New York Post:
Rockies hoping to move Hawpe — CHICAGO - The Rockies will listen to offers for outfielder Brad Hawpe, who has one year left on his contract plus a team option for 2011. — Hawpe, who made the All-Star team last year, is scheduled to make $7.5 million in 2010 but he had a terrible second half, batting .240 with 27 RBIs.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Orioles Top 11 Prospects — Four-Star Prospects — Three-Star Prospects — Two-Star Prospects — Four More: — 12. Steve Johnson, RHP: Along with Bell, Johnson was also acquired from the Dodgers in the George Sherrill deal. The Baltimore native has good velocity, but his secondary pitches come and go.
Discussion:
MASNsports.com
