Top News:
New York Post:
3UP: Wang, Matsui and Holliday — 1. As I wrote in this story, Chien-Ming Wang's agent, Alan Nero, said his client received a “very encouraging” report yesterday from Dr. James Andrews and can begin a throwing program on Dec. 1 and could be available for games post-shoulder surgery as early as mid-April.
Discussion:
Baseball & The Boogie Down, The iYankees Blog, MLB Rumors, Circling The Bases and Sliding Into Home
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Boras compares Damon to Derek, eyes long-term deal — CHICAGO — We now return to the business portion of the program. — The Yankees were hoping all the joy associated with being a champion Yankee would motivate Johnny Damon to accept a one- or, at the most, two-year deal to return.
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Mets open talks with Holliday, eye Molina — CHICAGO — Omar Minaya met with Scott Boras for 45 minutes last night to begin to determine the price on Matt Holliday. — The meeting comes at a time when the Mets are still debating whether to big-game hunt this offseason for offense …
Discussion:
New York Mets Fan Blog, MetsBlog.com, Mets Fever, The LoHud Mets Blog, MLB Rumors, Rotoworld.com and NY Daily News
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Varitek exercises option for 2010 — Jason Varitek has exercised his $3 million option for 2010. — “We're happy to have Jason back and we look forward to a good year from him in 2010,” Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said. “He means an awful lot to the organization on and off the field.
RELATED:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Book on Billy Wagner not closed — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — CHICAGO - Billy Wagner loved being with the Red Sox [team stats] so much at the end of the 2009 season, the reliever may want to come back after all. — Wagner, a Type A free agent who would bring …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, sox1fan.com, The House That Dewey Built, MLB Rumors, Fenway West and Full Count
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Let's make a big deal — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — CHICAGO - The Red Sox [team stats] won 95 games this year and got bounced out of the playoffs in the first round. — “I think we have a lot to do but I'm not so sure there are obvious ways to do it,” general manager Theo Epstein said yesterday.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Yahoo! Sports, Circling The Bases, Halos Heaven, Bluebird Banter, MetsBlog.com, Mike Silva's … and Toronto Sun
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Phils, Cards, LA each take two Gold Gloves — Zimmerman, Kemp, Bourn, Wainwright first-time winners — They flashed leather, pulled off web gems, picked it, got their uniforms dirty, and stoked stadiums with razor-sharp routes, dazzling dives and wall-scraping wows.
RELATED:
Joe Posnanski:This Year's Gold Glove Ripoff
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, bronxbanterblog.com, Mike Silva's …, The Big Lead and Mike Scioscia's tragic illness
Fox Sports:
Wednesday's buzz from the GM meetings — The World Series may still be fresh in your mind, but MLB GMs are already focusing on next season. Thankfully, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi are on the ground in Chicago with all the latest gossip and buzz. Note: All times listed are ET. — Wednesday
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Florida Marlins news …, NESN.com, The Fish Pond, MetsBlog.com, MASNsports.com, Mariners blog, MLB Daily Dish and New York Post
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Larry Stone / Seattle Times:
Ken Griffey Jr. will be a Mariner in 2010 — The official announcement probably won't come until later this morning, but Ken Griffey Jr. is coming back to the Mariners in 2010. — The outfielder, who will be 40 on Nov. 21, has reached a one-year agreement to play his 22nd year in the major leagues.
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Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Ken Griffey Jr. reaches one-year deal with Seattle Mariners — Ken Griffey Jr. has reached agreement on a one-year deal to return to the Seattle Mariners in 2010, according to a baseball source. — The deal is similar to the 2009 contract that paid Griffey a base salary of $2 million …
New York Post:
Yankees could deal for Tigers' Granderson — CHICAGO — In a cost-cutting frame of mind, the Tigers have let teams now that Curtis Granderson could be had for the right package, an NL executive told The Post. — Granderson would be attractive to many teams, with the Yankees near the top of the list.
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Sports Illustrated:
Hot Stove Report: Figgins attracting interest … CHICAGO — Beyond the “Big Three” free agents (Matt Holliday, John Lackey and Jason Bay), there's still some decent action going on here at the GM meetings. And if there's a fourth coveted free agent, it just might be versatile leadoff man Chone Figgins …
RELATED:
Phil Rogers / Chicago Breaking Sports:
Is Luis Castillo the Cubs' guy? — On the first day of the general managers' meetings, a report circulated about a possible three-way deal that would send Milton Bradley from the Cubs to the Blue Jays and bring second baseman Luis Castillo from the Mets to the Cubs.
RELATED:
Ed Price / MLB FanHouse:
Money Worries Could Force Reds to Move All-Star Phillips, Others — Editor's Note: FanHouse's Jeff Fletcher contributed to this report — CHICAGO — The Reds' need to slash payroll, according to a major league source, could lead them to explore trading second baseman Brandon Phillips …
Discussion:
Cincinnati Reds, MetsBlog.com, redsminorleagues.com, Circling The Bases, Where Have You Gone … and Redleg Nation
RELATED:
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Guzman and Towers elect free agency — The Yankees have made their first moves of the offseason, outrighting both Freddy Guzman and Josh Towers off of the 40-man roster. — Brian Cashman said that both players have elected free agency. — Guzman was perhaps the least likely player in the middle of the World Series celebration.
