Top News:
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Bay declines BoSox's offer … Star free agent outfielder Jason Bay has declined Boston's initial contract offer and will head to full free agency, SI.com has learned. — Boston's offer to Bay was believed to be for four years and “close to $60 million,” according to sources.
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David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets vow to spend on free agents, but how much, whom? — Omar Minaya must cast a wider net to see how he can repair a fractured team that went 70-92 this season. — In a perfect world, one — without payroll restrictions, the Mets could splurge on free agents to solve all of their most pressing needs.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Bay tops Epstein's free-agent priorities — Boston would like slugging left fielder to return next season — BOSTON — The past few weeks have been mostly about planning, dialogue and research for the Red Sox's front office, led by general manager Theo Epstein.
Discussion:
The Bottom Line
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Top 30 free agents, plus New York specials — Here are my annual top 30 free-agent rankings and predictions. — I tried something different this year with the rankings, relying solely on WAR.I liked the idea of using one consistent metric, and also displaying which of this free-agent pool …
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Why I picked Carpenter over Lincecum — (11-18) 21:30 PST — If Tim Lincecum wins his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award today, I will be happy for the lad. Lincecum is one of the best and most electric pitchers in the game and had another fantastic season.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, Fox Sports, MLB Rumors, Seattle Times, Hardball Times, Angels blog and McCovey Chronicles
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Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Lincecum's the one; that makes two Cys — Wainwright finishes third despite getting most first-place votes — SAN FRANCISCO — For Tim Lincecum, less was indeed more in 2009. — The San Francisco Giants right-hander won fewer games but added to his pitching legend.
Jeff Fletcher / BBWAA.com:
2009 NL Cy Young — Tim Lincecum Goes Back-to-Back With Tight Win — Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants was elected the National League Cy Young Award winner for the second consecutive year in balloting by the BBWAA. Lincecum had the lowest victory total over a full season …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Bud Selig still isn't worried about the Dodgers — Commissioner won't discuss what the future might hold given the McCourts' divorce proceedings but says team is ‘in good hands.’ — Commissioner Bud Selig, right, refused to offer assurances to fans worried that the divorce saga involving Frank …
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Associated Press:
Bud Selig planning fewer breaks in playoff schedule — CHICAGO — Baseball plans to cut down on off days during the postseason next year. — Commissioner Bud Selig said Wednesday he's working on tightening up the 2010 playoff schedule so there will be fewer gaps between games.
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds won't be busy in free agency — General manager Jocketty doesn't expect to be active — CINCINNATI — Free agency opens for business at 12:01 a.m. ET on Friday, and that means it will be buying season for all 30 clubs. — Don't expect the Reds to be busy free-agent shoppers, however.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Chicago Breaking Sports:
Cubs, lefty reliever Grabow agree to 2-year deal — The Cubs and left-hander reliever John Grabow have agreed in principle to a two-year deal, team sources said today. — There was never any doubt that Grabow would return, but with the 15-day exclusivity window to re-sign …
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Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs reach contract agreement with pitcher John Grabow — The Cubs and relief pitcher John Grabow have reached an agreement on a two-year contract extension that has been anticipated for weeks, a source confirmed this morning. — The deal, believed to be worth at least $7 million …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Patience a free-agent virtue for Braves — Club could look to open market to fill holes in 'pen, first base — ATLANTA — Last year, the Braves aggressively attacked the free-agent market in search of top-flight starting pitchers. As this year's free-agent season begins …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Robert Emrich / MLB.com:
Havens heats up as AFL winds down — Mets prospect scores three runs, raises average to .324 — Reese Havens is finishing his five-week stint in the Arizona Fall League on a roll. — The Mets' prospect fell a home run short of the cycle and scored three times Wednesday …
Jayson Stark / MLB:
Revenue sharing a mess — Why not just put a tax on teams that pocket the money they get from revenue sharing? — ESPN.com … The Yankees just won another World Series (as you might have heard someplace) — and we all know what that means: — The crying game is on. … Sound familiar?
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
