Top News:
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Sox see Yankees outfielder as leadoff man — INDIANAPOLIS — White Sox general manager Ken Williams has said it before, and he said it again. — “We don't have any money,” Williams said Wednesday during his meeting with the media. “We're close to our budget right now …
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Marc Carig / New Jersey Online:
NY Yankees not in position to make any more deals in immediate future … INDIANAPOLIS — Yankees general manager Brian Cashman capped off a hectic week at the winter meetings with predictions of calm after the storm. — After trading for All-Star center fielder Curtis Granderson …
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Carrasco could be non-tendered — Versatile White Sox hurler in line for raise in arbitration — CHICAGO — In looking for a unique way to employ D.J. Carrasco, as if the right-handed reliever wasn't versatile enough in 2009, the 32-year-old has an interesting idea to present to the White Sox.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Source: New York Yankees could turn to Hideki Matsui, minors to fill DH slot if Johnny Damon balks — INDIANAPOLIS - Brian Cashman left the winter meetings Thursday having filled two big holes on his 2010 roster, yet there is still work left for him to do before the Yankees report to Tampa 10 weeks from now.
ESPN:
One of many — A boy waits for the rumbling sound of an old blue car to climb through the maple trees, and right after he hears it he can see through the barn window...
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Olney On Damon, Halladay, Molina, Carroll — ESPN's Buster Olney kicks off his latest blog post with a poignant look at his relationship with Peter Gammons. As for the rumors... - Olney says the Yankees and Johnny Damon appear to be far apart in early contract negotiations.
Discussion:
The Yankee Universe
NY Daily News:
Since fans aren't buying it, New York Mets must spend to prove they want to contend — INDIANAPOLIS - It's no secret that Mets fans are disgruntled, even angry, these days, waiting for a reason to buy tickets for next season. And even as the Mets made a contract offer to Jason Bay upon leaving …
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Sports Illustrated:
Phillies boldly raising the bar in NL … INDIANAPOLIS — After Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin just spent $37.25 million to get veteran pitchers Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins, he had an interesting take on what has happened to the level of competition in the National League.
Fox Sports:
Buzz: Latest Hot Stove news — The winer meetings are over, but the news never stops. Follow along as Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi keep you up to date on the latest buzz. Note: all times ET.
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Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
For Boras and Damon, it's strictly business with Yanks — INDIANAPOLIS - There's a fairly reliable axiom that's stood the test of time with baseball officials. It goes like this: If one of your players is a Scott Boras client, always remember he's about the money.
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The Mets Police:
The New York Mets Respond To My Letter — Last week I sent a letter to Fred Wilpon explaining why I was not going to renew my ticket plan in 2010. I also copied several members of Mets management and a few members of the media. (You can read my letter here).
Troy Polamalu / Yahoo! Sports:
Winter meetings winners and losers — INDIANAPOLIS - The uncertain economy is the ultimate party-pooper, a real spoilsport. We've all had to acknowledge it on some level. Baseball did so this week at its annual winter meetings, often a time of frenzied spending on free agents …
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Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Rule 5 Wrap — The extra year of protection added in 2006 has made the Rule 5 draft even more of a dart toss than previous years, with one team official commenting, “What were once thin pickings is now downright anorexic.” Still, with most people betting on maybe 10-12 selections getting made …
Steve Kornacki / MLive.com:
Scouts: Tigers got best of three-team deal with Yankees, Diamondbacks — INDIANAPOLIS — Talk about the Detroit Tigers' trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees continued Thursday on the final day of baseball's winter meetings. — Two major league scouts …
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Sox reach deal to trade Lowell to Rangers — The Red Sox have agreed in principle with the Rangers to a trade that will send popular third baseman Mike Lowell to Texas for catcher Max Ramirez, according to a baseball source. A money issue has also been resolved, the source said.
Discussion:
Full Count, NESN.com, The Bottom Line, WEEI, Projo Sox Blog, Over the Monster, Brownie Points and New York Post
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Marc Normandin / Baseball Prospectus:
Third Base Rankings Review — It's time to see where I went right and wrong with my fantasy rankings for third base. These rankings were made during spring training, and this particular series of pieces is meant to review those rankings so we can see what there is to learn from both the process …
Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
Nats act like they belong — At the winter meetings this week, the Nats signed a future Hall of Famer as a backup catcher for two years for an above-market price of $6 million. They also traded for a reliever who throws 97 mph, had a 3.25 ERA over his last four years with the Yankees and just pitched in the World Series.
Discussion:
DC Pro Sports Report