Top News:
Mike Leach / Yahoo! Sports:
Bumbling Mets toss money into the Bay — Here the New York Mets go again, throwing money at a big-name free agent whom they misguidedly convince themselves will solve their troubles. The Mets' issues aren't skin deep. They penetrate the dermis, plunge deep into the organizational body …
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ESPN:
Sources: Cards optimistic about talks — There is increased optimism within the St. Louis Cardinals organization that the team is going to reach a deal with free-agent outfielder Matt Holliday, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney on Tuesday. — Holliday
Discussion:
Boston Red Sox Blog, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Circling The Bases, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
New York Post:
Lotta loot for guy with lotta — Jason Bay still has to pass a physical (no sure thing). He still has to pass a stink test that he actually wants to be a Met (no sure thing). And he still has to pass through several hundred games as a two-way player (no sure thing).
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, SULLY BASEBALL, The Daily Fix, Sports Illustrated and Chicago Breaking Sports
Buster Olney / ESPN:
With Bay signed, Adrian Gonzalez Sweepstakes begin — The Padres have had preliminary talks about a possible contract extension for Adrian Gonzalez, who has two more years on his current deal. But it would appear to be very, very unlikely for the Padres to sign Gonzalez beyond 2011, given his potential market stature.
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
Sports Illustrated:
Jeff Pearlman>PEARLS OF WISDOM — Yes, Jason Bay is going to be big in New York — a big bust, that is … The statement came 28 years ago. — In the winter of 1981-82, the New York Mets were Big Apple nobodies — a star-less, charisma-less franchise coming off of a miserable 41-62 strike-shortened season.
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Bay comes to terms with the Mets — Four-year agreement is pending a physical — The relationship between Jason Bay and the Red Sox, one that began with seconds to go until the trade deadline in 2008, apparently has come to an end. News broke yesterday that Bay has agreed to a four-year deal …
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Mets get Bay for 4 years, $66M — The Mets have reached agreement on a four-year, $66 million agreement with Jason Bay pending a physical, The Post has learned. — Mets officials refused to confirm the agreement, largely because the results of a physical are not complete and the Mets …
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Olney On Adrian, Pineiro, Holliday, Orioles — The latest from Buster Olney's ESPN blog... - Despite preliminary talks, Olney finds a Padres extension for Adrian Gonzalez to be “very, very unlikely.” — The Dodgers “are in the chase” for free agent starter Joel Pineiro, with the Angels and Mets other suitors.
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
Fox Sports:
Source: Mets agree to deal with Jason Bay — The Mets have reached an agreement with free-agent outfielder Jason Bay, according to a major-league source. — The four-year deal is worth $66 million, with a vesting option for a fifth year, according to the source.
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:The Yankees' Win Curve
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, Pinstripe Alley, The Yankee Universe, yankeesdaily.com, SportSpyder.com and The iYankees Blog
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:Mets will sign Jason Bay, per WFAN
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …, MVN, We're the Team to Beat, Circling The Bases and Where Have You Gone …
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Source: Boston Red Sox quietly engaged in Adrian Beltre talks — The Boston Red Sox remain quietly engaged in discussions for free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre, according to an industry source. — The Beltre talks, expected to resume after the new year, have been complicated by the voiding of the Mike Lowell trade to Texas.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, NESN.com, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Circling The Bases, Over the Monster and Mariners blog
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Luke Adams / MLB Rumors:Red Sox Remain Interested In Adrian Beltre
Discussion:
Respect Jeter's Gangster
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Cuban pitcher wooed — With the A's poised to add their two-time All-Star back into the fold this morning, the team is now turning its attention to Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman. — Oakland is in the thick of the bidding for the left-hander, according to major-league sources …
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John Frank / St. Petersburg Times:
Florida wants Grapefruit League to again rule spring training — Fans watch the Kansas City Royals play the Detroit Tigers in March 2002 at Davenport. The Royals are one of five teams that have moved their spring training to Arizona in the last decade. — TALLAHASSEE — For 100 years …
Fox Sports:
McGwire doesn't make the cut, but nine others do — Nine. I can't believe I checked off nine players on my Hall of Fame ballot — and if I had voted for Mark McGwire, I would have reached the maximum 10 allowed. — Before I had a ballot, my definition of a Hall of Famer was strict …
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Two surgeries down, one to go for Moyer — Phils lefty spending much of offseason in hospital — PHILADELPHIA — Jamie Moyer has had a long and trying offseason, and he still has another surgery to go before Spring Training. — Moyer, 47, has been in the hospital three times since …
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Catcher: Mets close to Deal with Bengie Molina — According to 1050 ESPN Radio, Rich Coutinho reports the Mets are close to signing free-agent C Bengie Molina to a two-year deal. — Earlier today, WFAN's Mike Francesa said Molina still wants a three-year contract, while the Mets …
