Top News:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Report: Braves land closer Billy Wagner — The Braves didn't even bother waiting until they lost their free-agent closers before reportedly reeling in a highly accomplished replacement - veteran fireballer Billy Wagner. — Wagner, who ranks sixth in major league history with 385 saves …
Discussion:
Fenway West
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Braves To Sign Billy Wagner — The Braves have agreed to sign Billy Wagner, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The deal is worth $7MM and includes a $6.5MM option for 2011 that vests if Wagner finishes 50 games. — The Red Sox offered the lefty arbitration tonight …
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Free agency: Source says Billy Wagner, Atlanta Braves agree to one-year deal — The Atlanta Braves have reached agreement on a one-year contract with veteran reliever Billy Wagner pending a physical exam, a baseball source confirmed to ESPN.com. — The deal, which was first reported by FoxSports.com …
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Arbitration offers: Billy Wagner, Bengie Molina and the Mets — Yesterday marked one of the more exciting day for the hard-core baseball geeks, andeven for those who aren't interested in Type A and Type B free agents and the draft, it's meaningful, because now things will start to get busy.
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:Braves sign Wagner to one-year pact
Discussion:
bronxbanterblog.com
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers don't offer arbitration to any free agents — However, GM Ned Colletti says the team remains interested in re-signing Randy Wolf — The decision by the Dodgers not to offer arbitration to pitcher Randy Wolf or any of their other free agents Tuesday should not be viewed as a sign …
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Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com:
Yanks elect not to offer arbitration to trio — No compensation for club if Damon, others sign elsewhere — The Yankees announced Tuesday that they will not offer arbitration to any of their eligible players by Tuesday night's deadline, meaning the club will not receive Draft pick compensation if any of the players sign elsewhere.
Henry Schulman / San Francisco Chronicle:Giants decline to offer Molina arbitration
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Richard Goldstein / New York Times:
Tommy Henrich, Yankees Clutch Hitter, Dies at 96 — Tommy Henrich, the right fielder known as Old Reliable who helped propel the Yankees to seven World Series championships, died on Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio. He was 96. — His death was announced by the Yankees.
Discussion:
bronxbanterblog.com, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Generation Third, YanksBlog.com and Sliding Into Home
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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Henrich, oldest living Yankee, passes away — Outfielder played on seven World Series-winning clubs — NEW YORK — The oldest living Yankee, outfielder Tommy Henrich, died early Tuesday morning in Dayton, Ohio. He was 96. — Henrich, a five-time All-Star and seven-time World Series champion …
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Halladay will block in-season trades — Wants move done by spring or he's staying in Toronto for '10 — TORONTO — It became apparent in July that Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay grew tired of being the center of a month-long media circus that detailed the pitcher's every move …
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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Derek Jeter gave Brian Cashman input on New York Yankees' player moves — Derek Jeter won't need to work when his playing days are over, but if he is interested in a future as a general manager, he's getting some good on-the-job training. — Jeter danced around questions …
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
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Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com:
Girardi teaches Jets QB how to slide — Yanks skipper happy to help Sanchez during practice — Yankees manager Joe Girardi lent a helping hand to the Jets on Tuesday, when he helped teach quarterback Mark Sanchez how to properly slide during a team meeting.
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Gilbert the frontrunner to buy Rangers … Former baseball superagent Dennis Gilbert and his ownership group have emerged in recent days as the surprise frontrunner to buy the Texas Rangers, SI has learned. — The deal is not believed finalized yet, but the winning bid is expected to be …
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Roberto Alomar's brilliance still on display — You say you are young, and didn't see Roberto Alomar play? — No problem. You get a chance to witness the brilliance of Roberto Alomar just about every night on a major league baseball field, when infielders make plays that Alomar all but invented and popularized.
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Bill Livingston / Plain Dealer:This writer won't hustle for Roberto Alomar as a first-ballot Hall …
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
Tyler Kepner / Bats:
Good News? Damon Thinks So — The Yankees did not offer salary arbitration to Johnny Damon on Tuesday, which may not be such a bad thing. Damon, who is in Paris, said he was encouraged. — “In a better position since teams won't lose draft picks,” Damon said in a text message.
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Fehr, now enjoying a slice of the retired life, discusses career — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Donald Fehr, executive director of the Major League players association the last 26 years, spent his first day of retirement Tuesday in the emergency room. He sliced his left thumb cutting a grapefruit …
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers GM ready for market to open — Crew looks for pitching at next week's Winter Meetings — MILWAUKEE — Last year, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin reported to the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas focused on one pitcher: CC Sabathia. He will travel to this year's gathering in Indianapolis with a much wider net.
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians trade Kelly Shoppach to Tampa Bay for player to be named … CLEVELAND, Ohio — First his teammates were traded. Then his manager and coaching staff were fired. — Catcher Kelly Shoppach knew it would eventually be his turn. — Tuesday, the Indians traded Shoppach to Tampa Bay for a player to be named.
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Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Mariners Targeting Gregg Zaun — Gregg Zaun was offered arbitration by Tampa Bay today, but the free agent catcher has at least one serious suitor in the Seattle Mariners. Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports report that the M's are looking to sign Zaun as a veteran platoon mate for prospect Adam Moore.
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Sox will exhaust shortstop options before Pedroia — While there has been internal discussions about Dustin Pedroia moving to shortstop it would not happen unless the Red Sox exhausted every avenue to acquire a shortstop through free-agency or trade, a team source said this afternoon.
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