Top News:
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Bay declines intial offer from Red Sox … 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:
Fack Youk, NESN.com, Boston Globe, MLB Rumors, Over the Monster, Circling The Bases, Bucs Dugout, SOX & Dawgs, MLB FanHouse, MetsBlog.com, Union-News and Full Count
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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.”
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.
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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, Seattle Times, Yahoo! Sports, sox1fan.com, Angels blog, Fox Sports, MLB Rumors, Hardball Times and McCovey Chronicles
Keith Law / ESPN:
Here were my top 3 for NL Cy Young — My NL Cy Young ballot was — Want his rationales? Ya gotta be an ESPN Insider, friends. — Keith Law — Keith Law joined ESPN.com in June 2006 as the lead baseball analyst for Scouts Inc., covering the majors, minors and amateurs.
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.
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 …
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.
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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.
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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.
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Benjamin Kabak / River Avenue Blues:
What it means to make a player ‘available’ — Earlier this afternoon, Bob Nightengale of USA Today unleashed a panic amongst the members of the Yankee Universe. “The Yankees,” he Tweeted, “ever so quietly, are letting teams know that RF Nick Swisher is available.” — Nick Swisher! Available!
Discussion:
Mike Silva's …, The Sommer Frieze, The LoHud Yankees Blog, The iYankees Blog and Bronx Baseball Daily
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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 …
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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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?
Scott Lauber / Philled In:
11/19 - AMARO ON FREE AGENCY, PARK, EYRE — In about eight hours — at midnight, to be precise — baseball's shopping season will begin. — The Phillies, however, are in no rush to buy. — In a telephone interview today, Ruben Amaro Jr. described his approach to free agency as …
