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, Boston Globe, NESN.com, Over the Monster, Bucs Dugout, MLB Rumors, Circling The Bases, MLB FanHouse, SOX & Dawgs, MetsBlog.com, Union-News and Full Count
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ESPN:
Five questions that will define offseason — Thoughts on how Red Sox will fill key holes as they build for 2010 — What follows are their answers: — Gammons: In the end, I think they will re-sign Bay, for somewhere in the four year, $64 million range. It's difficult to read who will compete with them.
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.
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, Extra Baggs, sox1fan.com, Hardball Times, Seattle Times, Yahoo! Sports, Angels blog, Fox Sports, MLB Rumors and McCovey Chronicles
Bryan Burwell / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Why don't wins count anymore? — Of all the many mysteries surrounding our national pastime, none is more baffling than the rather peculiar obsession by so many who profess a love of baseball who repeatedly try to turn this wonderfully simple game into a mind-numbing, highfalutin' brain twister.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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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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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Luke Adams / MLB Rumors:
Braves Looking For Lowe Suitors — 6:36pm: MLB.com's Mark Bowman responds to Rosenthal's report, writing that even though they view the Brewers as a potential trade partner, the Braves aren't interested in Hart. If Atlanta were to work out a deal with the Brewers or Angels …
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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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
The Mets Finished Last in 2009 Draft Spending — How much money the Mets intend to lavish on free agents to fill their many needs is unclear. What is clear is that the Mets, during a dreadful season and increased criticism of their minor league system, spent less money on the 2009 draft …
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Dave Sheinin / Nationals Journal:
Strasburg hurts knee, out of Saturday's AFL title game [UPDATED] — Stephen Strasburg, the Nationals' prized pitching phenom, twisted his left knee while shagging flies during batting practice before the Phoenix Desert Dogs' regular season finale in the Arizona Fall League on Thursday …
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 iYankees Blog, The LoHud Yankees 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 …
Joe Cowley / Inside the White Sox:
Coop tells pitchers it's time to raise the bar — Team captain Paul Konerko made the saying popular in the White Sox clubhouse back in 2008: “F feelings, it's about winning.” — Not only has manager Ozzie Guillen made that his personal mantra, but wants his entire organization to eat and sleep it.
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Re-signing their own Astros' priority — Club has fewer resources for free agency than past years — HOUSTON — When it comes to the big names of the free-agent market this offseason, don't expect to see the likes of Matt Holliday or John Lackey spending time looking for real estate …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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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