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Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Shelley not coming back to Yankees — Shelley Duncan was outrighted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, but that doesn't mean he'll end up there. — The first time a player clears waivers and is sent outright to the minor leagues, he has no choice but to accept the assignment.
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Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Astros add four to 40-man roster — Moves come with eye on December's Rule 5 Draft — HOUSTON — After a painstaking week of poring over names, statistics and looking into their crystal ball, the Astros on Friday added four players to their 40-man roster by purchasing the contracts …
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins' Johnson facing one-year deal — Seeking four years, ace forced to settle for short-term solution — MIAMI — A couple of conversations that lasted roughly a half hour appear to have changed Josh Johnson's long-term future with the Marlins. — Talks between the Marlins and Matt Sosnick …
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Agent: Josh Johnson doesn't expect to get a long-term deal from Florida Marlins — Sides far apart on length, amount of contract — All-Star pitcher Josh Johnson had hoped to sign a new contract with the Marlins this winter that would keep him with the club for years to come.
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Jorge Arangure Jr / ESPN:
Cuban defector Chapman fires agent — Cuban pitching phenom Aroldis Chapman has fired the representative who helped him gain free agency, his former agency confirmed Saturday. — Edwin Mejia, of Athletes Premier International, had represented Chapman soon after he defected from the Cuban national team in July.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Boston Globe, The iYankees Blog, River Avenue Blues and Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog
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Sam Borden / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Chapman fires agent; joins Hendricks Bros. — If you're looking for things that might help the Yankees end up signing Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman, here's a tiny nugget: Chapman has dropped his original agent, Edwin Mejia, and joined up with Randy and Alan Hendricks, who represent - among others - Andy Pettitte.
Discussion:
Seattle Times
George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees can wait for Halladay — Talent, first. An ocean of coin to follow. — That's the price tag hanging around Roy Halladay's neck as the small collection of teams that can afford him hatch their plans to acquire arguably the best pitcher in baseball from the Blue Jays.
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Carrie Muskat / Hot Stove Blog:11/20 Cubs & Blue Jays talk re: Halladay
Discussion:
GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, MetsBlog.com, Drunk Jays Fans, Circling The Bases and MLB Rumors
Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:
Mets can't ditch Castillo — The Mets opened free agency quietly yesterday, stirring only long enough to scotch reports of a potential three-way trade involving Luis Castillo. — The proposed deal, originally reported by the Chicago Tribune, also involved the Cubs and Rangers …
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MLB.com:
Mets expand club presence at Citi Field — Parts of stadium will be re-named for influential Mets — FLUSHING, N.Y. — The New York Mets today announced plans to expand the presence of club history at Citi Field next season in a variety of ways including renaming areas of the ballpark after Casey Stengel …
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
BATTLE OF BULGE — Jenks, Guillen at odds over closer's weight, whether it affected down year in 2009 — South Side, we have a problem. — A 6-4, 285-pound problem that better be resolved before feelings get hurt and relationships are destroyed. — After a calf injury ended closer …
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
San Diego Padres GM Jed Hoyer has ‘cordial’ meeting with Adrian Gonzalez's agent — Adrian Gonzalez's agent met with San Diego general manager Jed Hoyer on Friday, amid ongoing speculation that the Padres might consider trade proposals for the two-time All-Star or offer him a multiyear contract extension this offseason.
Patrick / NPB Tracker:
Contreras, Son Reportedly Looking for Move to Japan — Here's one I didn't think of: Jose Conteras is reportedly looking for a job in Japan. — Sanspo reported a few days ago that Contreras reached out to the Hanshin Tigers, who despite being in need of pitching, aren't interested in his services.
Michael Silverman / Clubhouse Insider:
Red Sox inquire about Holliday, A. Beltre, M. Gonzalez, R. Ankiel — Add four Scott Boras clients to the list of free agents the Red Sox have expressed interest in. — Outfielders Matt Holliday and Rick Ankiel, left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez and third baseman Adrian Beltre have all been discussed …
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