Top News:
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Red Sox talking about Bay return — According to a team source, the Red Sox have had internal discussions about extending their organizational budget to potentially allow for another offer for free agent outfielder Jason Bay. The discussed proposal to Bay would be in the vicinity of the four-year …
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Bay's agent is making return calls — Free agent Jason Bay's options haven't been very good this offseason, so his agent, Joe Urbon, who turned down the Red Sox' four-year, $60 million offer earlier this month, has been going back to the Sox in an effort to keep his client in a ballpark …
ESPN:
Source: Jason Bay still a long shot to rejoin Boston Red Sox — Is Jason Bay coming back to the Boston Red Sox after all? Don't bet on it. — A team source told ESPNBoston.com on Wednesday night that while the club never says never, Bay's return to Boston would be a long shot since …
Bruce Levine / MLB:
Closer Capps agrees to one-year deal with Washington Nationals — The Washington Nationals have signed Matt Capps to a one-year contract to be their closer for 2010, his agent said late Wednesday. — The deal is for $3.5 million for 2010, with a chance to make another $425,000 in performance bonuses.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Capps, Nats agree to one-year deal — Right-hander will compete with Bruney for closer role — WASHINGTON — Right-hander Matt Capps has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Nationals, pending a physical, according to Capps and his agent, Paul Kinzer. Monetary figures were not disclosed.
Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:
Capps, Nats agree to deal — At roughly 1 a.m., the Nationals got their man. — Making their clearest step yet to improve a bullpen and end their pained search for a closer, the Washington Nationals on early Thursday morning reached a deal with free agent reliever Matt Capps, who has saved 66 games in the last three seasons.
New York Post:
3UP: Reed Johnson, Bay and Happy Holidays — 1. An NL executive and an agent told me the Yankees were talking regularly to the representatives for Reed Johnson. I can see the Yankee reasoning. As currently constituted, the Yanks have lefty-swingers Brett Gardner in left field and Curtis Granderson in center.
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Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Pirates talking with Gregg — The Pirates have had several discussions with free agent Kevin Gregg, another of the few remaining closers on the market, according to a source involved with the talks. — Gregg, 31, had a 4.72 ERA in 72 appearances for the Chicago Cubs this past season.
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Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates eye Gregg, Dotel, as Capps picks Nats — Former closer gets one year, $3.5 million, more than Pirates' final offer — Matt Capps, the Pirates' recently released closer, formally is gone, but the team is engaged in talks with two possible replacements in free agents Kevin Gregg and Octavio Dotel.
Craig Calcaterra / Circling The Bases:the Pirates now deny that they have made Octavio Dotel an offer
Will Hill / TSN.ca:
FOR THE THRILL OF IT: ONE ON ONE WITH DIRK HAYHURST — In the summer of 2007, a friend turned me on to a feature on Baseball Americas website that quickly became required reading for me. It was The Non Prospect Diary penned by then-Padres minor leaguer Dirk Hayhurst.
Discussion:
Drunk Jays Fans
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Q&A: Beckham breaks down the holidays — Sox infielder gets into the seasonal spirit with MLB.com … MLB.com: Let's start out by talking about favorite holiday traditions in the Beckham family. — Beckham: On Christmas Day, we get up early and open presents from Santa and go do stuff.
Fox Sports:
Source: Uribe close to deal with Giants — Free-agent infielder Juan Uribe is close to returning to the Giants on a one-year contract with a club option for 2011, according to a major-league source. — The Giants are still looking for a regular first or third baseman.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Jacoby's steal of home a sweet '09 moment — Among 2009 highlights, speedster's swipe vs. NY one to savor — There were so many times Jacoby Ellsbury found himself on third base, took his secondary lead and thought to himself, “I can make it. I know I can.”
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Oakland Athletics, Justin Duchscherer agree to deal, source says — Free-agent pitcher Justin Duchscherer has agreed in principle to a one-year, guaranteed major league contract with the Oakland Athletics, a baseball source told ESPN.com. — The deal could be worth about $5.5 million …
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Atlanta Braves, Troy Glaus in serious discussions, close to agreement — Free agent corner infielder Troy Glaus and the Atlanta Braves have reached a tentative agreement on a contract, a baseball source told ESPN.com on Wednesday. — Glaus must undergo a physical exam before the deal can be completed.
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