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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Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
The Night Before Red Sox Christmas — 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Fenway — Not a creature was stirring, but perhaps Jason Bay — The red socks were hung by the Monster seats with care — In hopes that John Henry soon would be there — The Pink Hats were nestled all snug in their beds,
Discussion:
Fenway West
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 …
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 …
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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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.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, 6Pound8OunceBabyJoba, River Avenue Blues, The iYankees Blog and Sliding Into Home
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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 …
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
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.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, PBC Blog, Mets Fever, Circling The Bases, Bucs Dugout and Raise the Jolly Roger
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Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:Pirates talking with Gregg
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Mets Fever, MetsBlog.com, Raise the Jolly Roger, Where Have You Gone … and Circling The Bases
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.
Adam Bernstein / Washington Post:
George Michael, famed D.C. sportscaster, dies — George Michael, 70, a high-rated and hyperanimated Washington sportscaster whose extensive use of game highlights from across the country on his nationally syndicated show has now become the norm in the industry, died Thursday at Sibley Memorial Hospital.
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.”
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.
