Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: Reds, Jay Bruce agree to deal — The Cincinnati Reds have reached agreement on a six-year, guaranteed $51 million contract with outfielder Jay Bruce, a baseball source told ESPN.com. — Bruce — The deal includes a club option for a seventh year that could bring the overall value …
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Reds To Extend Jay Bruce — The Reds have agreed to extend Jay Bruce on a six-year, $51MM deal, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. The extension will keep Bruce in Cincinnati through at least 2016 - longer than any other member of the Reds is under contract for - and pay him $50MM in salary over the next six years.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Comparatively speaking . . . It remains to be seen whose roster — the Red Sox' or Yankees' — is better, but in terms of who has significant players heading into their prime years, the acquisitions of 28-year-old Adrian Gonzalez and 29-year-old Carl Crawford seem to put Boston in a better position for the next few years.
Discussion:
ESPN, Associated Press and Pinstripe Alley
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Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays excited for Carl Crawford, but disappointed he'll end up in Boston — LAKE BUENA VISTA — For a day they knew was coming and an outcome that had been oft-speculated, the Rays still took the news a bit like a high-and-tight fastball that Carl Crawford wasn't just leaving, but going to the rival Red Sox.
Fox Sports:
Sources: Rangers to meet with Lee today
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog and Texas Rangers
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Not our job: Cliff Lee rep won't give Texas Rangers number
Discussion:
ESPN, Rotoworld.com, HardballTalk, Bronx Baseball Daily and Sliding Into Home
Sports Illustrated:
Yanks up offer to Lee to seven years
Discussion:
Associated Press, Only Baseball Matters, Sportatorium and Sports Illustrated
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
Boston Signs Carl Crawford
Discussion:
Red Sox Beacon, Boston Globe, Baseball Prospectus, The Joy of Sox, Purple Row, Batter's Box Interactive …, Getting Blanked, USA Today and ESPN
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David Waldstein / New York Times:
With Pitchers' Contracts, 7 Is Unlucky Number — Seven years. Those two simple words are enough to send a shiver of fear through almost any general manager contemplating signing a free-agent pitcher to a contract of that length. — There is some history of success with five-year contracts …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Potent lineup back to future — With Dunn addition, Sox could have power group much like their 2008 AL Central champs — White Sox introduce new slugger Adam Dunn at U.S. Cellular Field. (Phil Velasquez, Chicago Tribune / December 3, 2010) — ORLANDO, Fla. — Now that the White Sox …
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Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
After signing Konerko, Sox turn to relievers — With both Jenks and Putz headed elsewhere, they need to shore up bullpen — ORLANDO, Fla. — With Paul Konerko joining A.J. Pierzynski and Adam Dunn on the payroll, the White Sox figure to be close to a club record checkbook-busting $130 million next season.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Rule Five Wrap-Up — Just some quick notes from this morning's rule five draft. I'll have more detailed reports on many of these players in a Ten Pack on Monday with my prediction of the selections most likely to stick. — Pirates: Josh Rodriguez, UT (from Cleveland) …
Discussion:
Bronx Baseball Daily and Baseball America
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Zachary Levine / Houston Chronicle:
Astros pick up three pitchers to compete for No. 5 spot
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and Full Count
John Manuel / Baseball America:
Rodriguez Leads Off Active Rule 5
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, MetsMinorLeagueBlog.com, Minor League Ball, ESPN, Tedquarters and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Astros Reach Agreement With Ryan Rowland-Smith
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Byron Kerr:
Strasburg's goal: “Best shape of my life” — Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg is rehabilitating on schedule from Tommy John surgery in early September. Strasburg is in good spirits and says he is one or two months away from baseball activities. — “They have a plan in place that is normal …
Drew Silva / HardballTalk:
Not satisfied with the current product, the Cardinals are trying to change center fielder Colby Rasmus — The drama continues between the Cardinals' coaching staff and young outfielder Colby Rasmus. — It was only six months ago that the now 24-year-old Rasmus requested a trade away …
Discussion:
The Cardinal Nation blog, Viva El Birdos and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Anthony DiComo / Mets Cetera:
The New York Mets and the curse of Santa Claus — Beware, Mets fans: the team revealed Tuesday that David Wright will play the role of Santa Claus at next Tuesday's holiday party, one of the club's most popular annual charitable endeavors. But like an action shot on the cover of Sports Illustrated …
Discussion:
MLB.com
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Small victories rather than big wins for Dodgers at winter meetings — General Manager Ned Colletti is generally pleased with the outcome of the meetings, which includes one-year deals with Vicente Padilla, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Dioner Navarro. — Starting pitcher Vicente Padilla has been re-signed …
Discussion:
MLB.com, True Blue LA, Yahoo! Sports and Los Angeles Times
David Laurila / Baseball Prospectus:
Piecoro on Upton: D-Backs Dilemma — Justin Upton was still a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks as the Winter Meetings came to a close earlier today, which isn't too much of a surprise. But a few short weeks ago, the odds of the talented yet enigmatic outfielder changing teams in Orlando were anything but a long shot.
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Derek Jeter's contract: A breakdown — We interrupt our Cliff Lee/Yankees-Red Sox drama to bring you a little information on Derek Jeter's recently signed contract. — You knew that Jeter was guaranteed four years and $56 million, if he so desired, and that he could increase …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Bronx Baseball Daily, MLB Rumors, BronxBanterBlog.com, HardballTalk and New York Times
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Twins Would Consider Trading Slowey — The Twins would consider trading Kevin Slowey - especially if they re-sign Carl Pavano - reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman says the Twins have actually received inquiries on ace Francisco Liriano from the Yankees and others, but a team official can't imagine moving the lefty.
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