[h4]
Dodgers could land Manny Ramirez by default[/h4]
Where Manny Ramirez ends up is anyone's guess. On the surface, there don't appear to be very many "good fits" for a player who is expecting one the game's highest salaries and a long-term deal, prefers a city with a sizeable Latino community, doesn't want suffocating attention from fans, and, despite his accessibility in LA, has never really liked inquisitive media members lingering around his locker. Of course, if you're like me, you're assuming the only "fit" that really matters to Team Manny-Scott Boras is the highest bidder. All the other quality-of-life stuff, Ramirez will simply deal with in his own quirky way, like he always has. As for the Dodgers, if they do end up with him -- and I think it's still a long shot -- it will be the same way they got him in the first place. By default. Because he had nowhere else to go.
-- Riverside Press-Enterprise
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[h4]
Red Sox could try to deal Mike Lowell?[/h4]
If the Red Sox were to sign Mark Teixeira, they most likely would try to move Mike Lowell, who has two years and $24 million left on his contract. Of course, Lowell is recovering from October hip surgery, which will make it difficult to deal him until he proves he can play. That means if the Sox ink Teixeira, they would be forced to bring all three players (Lowell, Youkilis and Teixeira) to spring training. Yes, Manny the Clown will be gone at last, but a new three-ring circus will be in Fort Myers. And you know what? It's worth the chaos. Signing Teixeira is a rare opportunity for the Sox, a star player who would be a rock in the middle of their lineup for years to come. You don't pass on that because Mike Lowell is a class act.
-- Boston Herald
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[h4]
Weathers on Giants radar?[/h4]
Giants GM Brian Sabean still wants to improve the bullpen and will shift his search toward right-handers. Other free agents include David Weathers, who happens to be Affeldt's best friend, Bobby Howry, Juan Cruz and Brandon Lyon.
-- SF Chronicle
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[h4]
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/130682[/h4]
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[h4]
Orioles make contact with free agent Mark Teixeira[/h4]
The Orioles have taken the first step in their pursuit of Maryland-born first baseman Mark Teixeira. "We have had discussions with his representative," club president Andy MacPhail said yesterday. The Orioles contacted Teixeira's agent, Scott Boras, on Friday, the first day clubs were allowed to officially court free agents, MacPhail said. There were no offers; Boras indicated he would get back to the Orioles when he wanted to talk specifics. It was simply an initial conversation between two deliberate, thorough men in a process that will take weeks, maybe months before resolution.
-- Baltimore Sun
[h4]
Halos top prospect Brandon Wood released by Dominican winter team[/h4]
Brandon Wood, the Angels' top prospect and a candidate to start in their infield next season, has been dismissed from his winter club because of poor performance. Wood hit .167 for Estrellas in the Dominican winter league, with one home run and 16 strikeouts in 48 at-bats. The club sent him home after 13 games. "You've got to perform pretty much right off the plane," Angels minor league director Abe Flores said. General Manager Tony Reagins said the dismissal would not extinguish Wood's chances of winning a roster spot in spring training.
-- LA Times
