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
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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
USA Today:
Red Sox nearly equal Yankees in future salary expenditures
Discussion:
myyesnetwork.com, Yankeeist, It's About The Money, Fenway West and Projo Sox Blog
Fox Sports:
Sources: Rangers to meet with Lee today
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog and Texas Rangers
ESPN:
Sources: Yanks offer Cliff Lee 7 years
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, Bronx Baseball Daily, Yahoo! Sports, Bats, Kranepool Society, HardballTalk, New York Times and MLB
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Not our job: Cliff Lee rep won't give Texas Rangers number
Discussion:
ESPN, Rotoworld.com, HardballTalk and Sliding Into Home
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
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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Nick Collias / MLB Rumors:
Gonzalez: No Agreement In Place With Red Sox
Discussion:
NESN.com and FenwayNationWorld
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 and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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The Cardinal Nation blog:
A very different Colby Rasmus coming in 2011 — The St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly remaking Colby Rasmus into a 175-pound opposite-field slash-and-run hitter. — Last time, I presented a potential batting order for the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals based on the manager's comments, past behavior and of course, supposition.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Viva El Birdos
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 and HardballTalk
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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 …
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
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, Full Count and MLB Rumors
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
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
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Sandy Alderson's long-term focus may benefit Mets in long term but could test patience of fans — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Subtlety and patience. In the overwrought world of New York baseball, the public is not conditioned to celebrate those qualities, particularly in the wintertime.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and Tedquarters
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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
MLB.com:
2010 Rule 5 Draft results … The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts and NESN.com
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