Top News:
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, Chicago Breaking Sports, Circling The Bases, The Daily Fix, SULLY BASEBALL and Sports Illustrated
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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 …
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.
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
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
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, The Musings and Prophecies …, Red Sox Monster, TedQuarters.net, Over the Monster, Beyond the Box Score, MetsBlog.com, MVN, Hardball Times, sox1fan.com, SOX & Dawgs, Full Count, New York Mets Fan Blog, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Circling The Bases, Yahoo! Sports, MLB Rumors, We're the Team to Beat, Where Have You Gone …, Union-News, Respect Jeter's Gangster, The Bottom Line, Bluebird Banter and Can't Stop The Bleeding
Fox Sports:
Sources: Holliday sets price point for contract talks — Free agent outfielder Matt Holliday is intent on signing a contract that exceeds the $18 million average salary of a four-year offer he rejected from the Rockies during the 2008 season, according to major-league sources.
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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
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
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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Ed Price / Fanhouse MLB Blog:No Rival to Red Sox in 2000s
Discussion:
It's About The Money, MLB Daily Dish, Sliding Into Home, The Yankee Universe and A Die Hard Yankees Fan
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 …
Discussion:
SFGate, USATODAY.com Sports News, MetsBlog.com, The iYankees Blog, MLB Daily Dish and Circling The Bases
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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 …
Miked Up:
Snowed In — So Monday morning I hopped in the ol' Vista Cruiser with the family for what was supposed to be a fun-filled afternoon hop across the border to Buffalo, the intent being to hit the brand-spanking-new P.F. Chang's for lunch, pick up “Just Dance” for the Wii for the girlies and grab …
