Top News:
Phil Rogers / Chicago Breaking Sports:
Cubs explore Bradley deal that would net Castillo — The Cubs continue trying to find ways to move Milton Bradley in packages that would bring them second baseman Luis Castillo from the Mets. The latest, according to sources, is a three-team deal with the Rangers that would send send …
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Hot Stove Blog:
Rangers won't do three-way Bradley deal — According to one report, the Rangers, Cubs and Mets are discussing a three-way trade. — The deal has the Rangers sending Kevin Millwood to the Mets, who would trade second baseman Luis Castillo the Cubs. To complete the trade, the Cubs would send Milton Bradley to the Rangers.
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Latest Milton Bradley Scenario — The latest Milton Bradley trade scenario comes courtesy of Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, who considers Bradley going to the Rangers, Kevin Millwood to the Mets, and Luis Castillo to the Cubs. — We talked to a source familiar with the situation who said that this deal is not being discussed.
Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
Wilpons should be honest and look ahead to 2011 — Going after free agents can't change Mets' dire situation. — Photo credit: Craig Ruttle | Omar Minaya should have a blank check from owner Jeff Wilpon, right, but can the Mets actually sign any difference-makers?
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Luis Castillo's fate key to offseason moves for New York Mets — It's day 16 after the Yankees won the World Series, which means the Mets finally can begin bidding on free agents and reestablishing their relevance. That, or begin frustrating their fans anew.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Discussion: Derek Lowe's Value — Braves righty Derek Lowe makes for an interesting discussion topic. Lowe is owed $45MM over the next three years, and is widely known to be on the trading block. The Braves seem unwilling to eat significant salary. There are arguments on both sides of the fence as to Lowe's value.
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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.
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Jeff Fletcher / BBWAA.com:2009 NL Cy Young
Discussion:
Kawakami, sox1fan.com, San Francisco Chronicle, Yahoo! Sports, YFSF, Walkoff Walk and MLB Rumors
Keith Law / ESPN:
Ranking the top free agents (Nos. 1-10) — STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME Become an Insider Today … Who's better: Jason Bay, Matt Holliday or John Lackey? And where do the Cubans fit in? For Keith Law's free-agent rankings and scouting reports, you must be an ESPN Insider.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MASNsports.com, Fack Youk, DC Pro Sports Report, The iYankees Blog and Circling The Bases
Diamond Notes:
Chien-Ming Wang interested in the Dodgers — Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang, a non-tender candidate, told Taiwanese reporters Thursday that his first choice was to remain with New York. But if the Yankees cut him loose, Wang said he would not be opposed to going to the Dodgers.
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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.
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies Atkins awaiting “another team” — Clint Barmes represents the future, the Rockies initiating discussions on a multiyear contract this week. — Garrett Atkins represents the past, though the Rockies will not release him today when 40-man rosters are set, providing additional time to work out a trade.
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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.
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
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Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Royals ink Campillo to Minors deal — Righty missed most of 2009 with shoulder tendinitis — KANSAS CITY — Right-hander Jorge Campillo, a World Baseball Classic teammate of Kansas City closer Joakim Soria, has signed a Minor League contract for 2010 with the Royals.
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Houston Astros Top 10 Prospects — Houston Astros … Want to build a farm system overnight? One glance at Baseball America's organization talent rankings suggests a proven template. — The Rangers went from 28th entering 2007 to fourth in 2008 to first in 2009, getting a boost …
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
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 …
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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