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 …
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs, Red Sox Monster, MLB Rumors, Full Count, Over the Monster, MetsBlog.com, Babes Love Baseball and Boston Globe
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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 …
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Varitek still waiting — Just spoke to Theo Epstein. Contrary to a report, Jason Varitek has not yet exercised his $3 million player option for 2010. At least as far as the Sox know. — As Epstein correctly pointed out, Scott Boras usually pushes such decisions until the deadline.
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse
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.
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.
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:Red Sox make it all official
Discussion:
The Mighty Quinn Media Machine
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:
The iYankees Blog, NESN.com, Zell's Pinstripe Blog, Pinstripe Alley and The Yankee Universe
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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.
Discussion:
Seattle Times, FanGraphs Baseball, The LoHud Yankees Blog, AaronGleeman.com, Hot Foot, MLB Rumors, Yahoo! Sports, Texas Rangers, DRaysBay, A Die Hard Yankees Fan, U.S.S. Mariner, Lookout Landing, Circling The Bases, Sliding Into Home, Fack Youk, River Avenue Blues, Hardball Times, Pinstripe Alley and Replacement Level …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Unloading Milton Bradley without paying steep price won't be easy for Chicago Cubs GM Jim Hendry — Even if Cubs eat salary, Hendry may struggle to find taker for OF — Cubs general manager Jim Hendr shakes hands with Milton Bradley. (M. Spencer Green, Associated Press / January 8, 2009)
RELATED:
Fred Mitchell / Chicago Breaking Sports:Cubs' Billy Williams: Don't give up on Milton Bradley
Discussion:
MVN
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.
Jim Salisbury / Philly.com:
Phils still in the running for Halladay — CHICAGO - Ruben Amaro Jr. arrived at the annual general managers' meetings late this afternoon and listed his priorities for upgrading his team this off-season. — “Third base, bullpen, bench,” the Phillies' GM said in the lobby of the O'Hare Hilton, where the meetings run through tomorrow.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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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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Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Jays add Dopirak, McCoy to roster — Third baseman claimed off waivers from Rockies — TORONTO — The Blue Jays added a pair of players to their 40-man roster on Monday, selecting the contract of first baseman Brian Dopirak from Triple-A Las Vegas and claiming infielder Mike McCoy off waivers from the Rockies.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
Bill Mitchell / Baseball America:
Veal Deals In AFL — Rule 5 pickup encouraging Pirates — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.—Scorpions pitching coach Bob Milacki had never seen Donnie Veal pitch before the Pirates lefthander arrived for the Arizona Fall League season. He had read the scouting reports on Veal and knew …
Discussion:
Hardball Times
Andrew Baggarly / Extra Baggs:
Giants advise Randy Winn to seek employment elsewhere — Outfielder Randy Winn filed for free agency and he isn't expected to re-sign with the Giants, his agent told me today. — The Giants contacted agent Craig Landis prior to the World Series and thanked Winn for his services …
Discussion:
El Lefty Malo
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.
