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.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, MLB Rumors, NESN.com, SOX & Dawgs, Fack Youk, Circling The Bases, MLB FanHouse, MetsBlog.com, Bucs Dugout, Union-News and Full Count
RELATED:
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:
Sabean: Bay and Holliday unlikely — Tim Lincecum's live press conference just ended. Afterward, we talked to GM Brian Sabean, who said he has not contacted agents for the two big hitters on the free-agent market, Matt Holliday or Jason Bay, and does not expect to either.
Bill Shaikin / LA Times Sports Blog:
Arte Moreno: No to Matt Holliday, maybe to Jason Bay — Angels owner Arte Moreno spoke on a number of topics after the owners' meetings concluded today in Chicago. Among the highlights: — On Matt Holliday: “He is not going to be an Angel. We are not looking at Holliday at all.”
Matt Pepin / Boston Globe:
SI's Heyman: Bay rejects Sox initial offer — Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman is reporting outfielder Jason Bay has rejected an initial offer from the Red Sox. — Heyman cites anonymous sources saying the first offer was for four years at “close to $60 million.”
David Lennon / Newsday:Mets vow to spend on free agents, but how much, whom?
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
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.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score, bronxbanterblog.com, Baseball Crank, Sliding Into Home and A Die Hard Yankees Fan
RELATED:
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:
Hardball Times, Seattle Times, Fox Sports, Yahoo! Sports, MLB Rumors, Angels blog and McCovey Chronicles
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 …
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
NL Cy Young — On Monday, I detailed how I went about voting for the NL Rookie of the Year. With Chris Coghlan something of a surprise winner and left off of my ballot, as I write this I'm curious to see how my Cy Young ballot comes out. Again, as I'm in an NL city (Cincinnati chapter), I vote for NL awards.
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers won't be pursuing John Lackey — Despite needing help in the pitching rotation, the club isn't looking to sign the veteran ace. President Dennis Mannion rules out ‘any outlandish-type decisions.’ — Dodgers President Dennis Mannion said the team isn't planning to pursue free-agent pitcher John Lackey.
RELATED:
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 …
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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Sam Page / Amazin' Avenue:
A Study In Unintentional Hilarity — Update: hat-tip to user FlashFlood who sent in the question, Noble-bait of the year. — I swore I'd never make fun of another Marty Noble Mailbag Inbox. Patrick from Connecticut had other plans: … You feel that?
Discussion:
TedQuarters.net
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Frankie Piliere / MLB FanHouse:
Scouting Notes: Braves Shopping Pair of Arms, and Both Could Be Bargains — On the free-agent market, all the focus has been on John Lackey. On the trade market, the talk has been about Roy Halladay. The consolation prize for teams seeking a top-flight arm may come out of Atlanta.
RELATED:
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Heilman dealt for two prospects — Cubs receive pitcher Maine, infielder White from D-backs — CHICAGO — The Cubs dealt right-handed reliever Aaron Heilman to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday for two Minor League prospects. — Heilman, 31, was 4-4 with a 4.11 ERA in 70 games in his only season in Chicago.
Fox Sports:
Sources: Braves finding it tough to shop Lowe — Braves right-hander Derek Lowe turns 37 on June 1. He is guaranteed $15 million in each of the next three seasons. And he had a 6.65 ERA in his final nine starts.
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Atkins won't be released Friday when 40-man roster set — DENVER — Garrett Atkins' future remains in limbo after the club told him that he won't be released Friday when 40-man rosters set. Atkins is in final year of arbitration, and the Rockies aren't going to pay him in excess …
