Top News:
Adam Kilgore / Nationals Journal:
Agent: Nationals still pursuing Carl Pavano — After twice meeting with Carl Pavano's representative this week, the Nationals “are still in the mix” to sign the veteran right-hander, agent Tom O'Connell said this morning. Pavano, who will turn 35 in January, arrived yesterday at the winter meetings …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Beltre to Nationals an unfounded rumor — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — There was a rumor circulating at the Winter Meetings on Tuesday that the Nationals have interest in third baseman Adrian Beltre, but it turned out to be just a rumor. Washington already has a third baseman in Ryan Zimmerman.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats' first-base focus likely shifts to LaRoche — Team's top target at position Pena appears headed to Chicago — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Nationals continue to look for a first baseman and starting pitcher. — Two executives outside the Nationals' organization believed the club …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Nationals Baseball and Twinkie Town
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals exploring front-line starter options
Nationals exploring front-line starter options
Discussion:
The Knobler Blog and MLB Rumors
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Harris among options for Nats' bench
Steve Adams / MLB Rumors:
Cubs Reach Agreement With Carlos Pena — Carlos Pena and the Cubs have agreed to terms on a one-year deal believed to be worth $10MM. — Pena, 33 next May, saw his average slip below the Mendoza Line in 2010, totaling a line of .196/.325/.407. While the average and strikeout rate (32.6%) …
RELATED:
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs appear close to deal with Pena — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Cubs may have found their next first baseman in Carlos Pena. — The Cubs continued discussions late Tuesday at the Winter Meetings with representatives for the free agent, and the team expected to hear more early Wednesday.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB Rumors
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Mets add DJ Carrasco and Ronny Paulino, but under Sandy Alderson club is viewed as hot-stove joke — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - On the day that a trustee seeking to recover money on behalf of Bernie Madoff's victims sued Fred Wilpon, a National League executive who met with the Mets this week smirked …
Discussion:
Tedquarters
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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Mets said to reach deals with Carrasco, Paulino — Reliever agrees on two-year pact; catcher signs on for one — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — In a move to fill out their near-vacant bullpen, the Mets have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with free-agent reliever D.J. Carrasco, a baseball source said Tuesday evening.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and Tedquarters
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Sox have more shopping left — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — After the huge splash that was the Adrian Gonzalez trade, do not be surprised if the Red Sox stand pat through the end of the winter meetings tomorrow, while carefully plotting their next move. — What we know is that the Sox …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, Full Count, NESN.com, MLB Rumors, sox1fan.com, Mets Merized Online, ESPN, FenwayNationWorld, MetsBlog.com and Fenway West
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David Lennon / Newsday:
On the Mets beat — Beltran to Red Sox gaining traction? — Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Now it looks like the Mets might find a taker for Carlos Beltran after all. The idea of trading Beltran to the Red Sox began as a slight ripple Tuesday morning here at the Dolphin Resort.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Getting Blanked, NESN.com, MLB Rumors and Full Count
Fox Sports:
Rangers looking to clear payroll — Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005. He appears weekly on MLB on FOX. Follow him on Twitter. — Jon Paul Morosi — This is getting interesting. — The Rangers are listening to trade offers …
Discussion:
ESPN, MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Texas Rangers and NESN.com
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Richard Durrett / ESPN:
Ryan: Michael Young not being shopped — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — There's a difference between actively trying to move a player and listening when his name comes up in talks with other teams. — Rangers president Nolan Ryan says his team isn't doing the former when it comes to third baseman Michael Young.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Fox Sports:
Lee talks move at snail's pace
Lee talks move at snail's pace
Discussion:
Nationals Journal, River Avenue Blues, ESPN, Full Count, MLB Rumors and Texas Rangers
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Garza, Ordonez on Rangers' radar — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Rangers are still talking to the Royals about pitcher Zack Greinke, and they have interest in pitcher Matt Garza if the Rays are truly motivated in moving him. — Vladimir Guerrero is their first choice to be their DH in 2011, but only on a one-year deal.
RELATED:
Dallas Morning News:
Cowlishaw: It's better to overpay for Cliff Lee than let him go to the Yankees — I don't make a habit of writing things that I am told “off the record.” No one in this business does for very long. — But when it's this juicy, this good, I just have to make an exception.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Public Sniping in Talks Left Jeter Feeling Angry — TAMPA, Fla. — The news conference had just ended. Television spotlights fell dark, and reporters dispersed. Derek Jeter still lingered behind a podium, where Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal, a general partner of the Yankees, wrapped him in a lengthy embrace.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, BronxBanterBlog.com and MLB.com
RELATED:
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
After the anger, Jeter smiles and moves forward
After the anger, Jeter smiles and moves forward
Discussion:
Subway Squawkers and THE BOOK
Tony Jackson / ESPN:
Sources: Dodgers, Tony Gwynn agree — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to terms on a new contract with free-agent outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr., two sources confirmed Tuesday on the condition of anonymity. — The two sides agreed to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Mike Scioscia's tragic illness, MLB.com and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Ned Colletti says ruling in McCourts court case won't tie his hands
Ned Colletti says ruling in McCourts court case won't tie his hands
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Marlins Determining Interest In Nolasco, Nunez — The Marlins are gauging interest in Ricky Nolasco and Leo Nunez, though they aren't committed to trading either pitcher, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. Nolasco is two years away from free agency and was discussing …
RELATED:
Clark Spencer / Fish Bytes:
Marlins Gauging Interest in Nolasco and Nunez
Marlins Gauging Interest in Nolasco and Nunez
Discussion:
HardballTalk and FishStripes
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
White Sox Reach Agreement With Paul Konerko — The White Sox reached an agreement with first baseman Paul Konerko on a three-year deal, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The deal is worth $37.5MM, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. The contract includes deferred money, as outlined by MLB.com's Scott Merkin.
Discussion:
USA Today, South Side Sox and NATIONALS NEWS NETWORK
George A. King III / New York Post:
Sabathia won't opt out — Tweet — TAMPA — CC Sabathia said whatever Cliff Lee pulls down won't lead to the Yankees' ace exercising an opt out clause in his contract after next year. — “It has no effect on me at all,” Sabathia told The Post yesterday when asked if Lee's projected windfall …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Chicago Breaking Sports and MLB Rumors
Sports Illustrated:
Setting the record straight on Hall of Fame vote for Miller … (Editor's note: The following story by Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci is a response to the erroneous report about yesterday's Hall of Fame Expansion Era voting.) — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. …
Discussion:
The Big Lead and HardballTalk
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Deferred money in Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo's contract — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - It's becoming clear that the Reds are operating with a tight budget. — A good portion of Bronson Arroyo's salary for 2011 is deferred. — Arroyo was set to make $13 million under the option that the club picked up.
Discussion:
Red Reporter
CBSSports.com:
Iwakuma's agent says A's were ‘insincere’ with client — CBSSports.com wire reports — SENDAI, Japan — The agent for Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma says the Oakland Athletics were insincere after his client was unable to reach an agreement with the major-league team.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and baseballmusings.com
