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Giants Links: Beltran, Ross, Lincecum, Cain

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The Giants extended the contracts of GM Brian Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy through 2013 earlier today. Here's the latest from San Fran…

  • Sabean told John Shea of The San Francisco Chronicle that he will speak to Carlos Beltran's camp today (Twitter link). "It's a fluid situation as well as other conversations we're in," said the GM.
  • "There won't be any big splashes," said Sabean to Andrew Baggarly of The Mercury News (on Twitter). He added that there would be no "sticker shock" acquisitions.
  • Sabean is "not sure" if the team will be able to re-sign Cody Ross, according to Baggarly (on Twitter).
  • Bobby Evans, the Giants vice president of baseball operations, said the team has exchanged "broad numbers and ideas" with Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain about contract extensions, reports Baggarly (on Twitter). Lincecum is reportedly seeking a one or two-year deal.

Blue Jays, Others Interested In Greg Holland

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The Blue Jays are in the market for a closer, and they have interest in Greg Holland of the Royals according to Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star (Twitter links). They don't have interest in Joakim Soria, and yesterday we heard that Kansas City has some interest in Colby Rasmus.

Dutton says that other clubs are interested in Holland as well, but the Royals are not inclined to move him unless they're overwhelmed with an offer. The 26-year-old right-hander broke out as Soria's setup man last season, pitching to a 1.80 ERA in 60 IP. He struck out 11.10 batters per nine innings and walked just 2.85 per nine, getting a ground ball 44.9% of the time. Holland is under team control through 2016.

Tigers Interested In Maicer Izturis

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The Tigers have interest in trading for Maicer Izturis of the Angels, reports Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Izturis is believed to be next on their wishlist after Martin Prado of the Braves.

The Tigers are looking for upgrades at second base, third base, and in the leadoff spot, three roles Izturis has filled at different times in his career. The 31-year-old hit .276/.334/.388 with five homers and nine steals in 494 plate appearances this past season, playing second, third, and shortstop. He is owed $3.8MM in 2012 and can become a free agent after the season.

Angels, Rockies Have Talked About Chris Iannetta

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The Angels have been aggressively looking for a catcher according to Scott Miller of CBSSports.com (Twitter links), and Troy Renck of The Denver Post reports that they've spoken to the Rockies about Chris Iannetta. Colorado asked about the availability of pitcher Tyler Chatwood.

Just yesterday we heard that the Rockies are interested in free agent backstop Ramon Hernandez, and Renck says (on Twitter) that they'd want him signed before going forward with any Iannetta trade. The Angels are also said to have interest in Ryan Hanigan of the Reds. The 21-year-old Chatwood pitched to a 4.74 ERA with nearly as many walks (71) as strikeouts (74) in 142 IP this past season.

Red Sox To Hire Bobby Valentine

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Bobby Valentine will become the next manager of the Red Sox, reports Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston (on Twitter). He is expected in town on Wednesday. Mike Lynch of WCVB-TV in Boston was the first to report that the two sides had reached a verbal agreement (Twitter link).

The job was offered to Valentine while he was in Japan for personal business over the last few days, adds Edes (on Twitter). He immediately accepted. ESPN's Karl Ravech reported earlier tonight that Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont was out of the running for the job.

Valentine, 61, will be the 45th manager in team history. He has previous managed the Rangers (1985-1992) and Mets (1996-2002), as well as the Chiba Lotte Marines (1995, and 2004-2009). He led the Mets to the 2000 World Series and the Marines to the 2005 Japan Series. The Rangers and Mets went a combined 1117-1072 under his watch.

Marlins Rumors: Wilson, Reyes, Buehrle, Balaguer

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Here are some links from Miami, on the day that Robb Nen celebrates his 43rd birthday. Nen still holds the Marlins' franchise record with 108 saves…

  • "They rolled out the red carpet. They seem to have a plan and made it very clear they'd like [C.J. Wilson] to be a part of it," said Bob Garber, Wilson's agent, to Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post. The Marlins hosted the lefty at their new ballpark today. Garber wouldn't say if the team made an offer, but did say his client will "probably" make a decision during the winter meetings next week.
  • The sentiment is that Albert Pujols will return to the Cardinals, but Capozzi says the Marlins still hope to sign Jose Reyes and either Wilson or Mark Buehrle. It's also possible they'll try to add both starters.
  • The Marlins have interest in 18-year-old Cuban outfielder Yasiel Balaguer, reports Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald (on Twitter). They will scout him this Wednesday in the Dominican Republic. Last year we heard about his "explosive speed and throwing arm."

The Latest On Boston’s Managerial Search

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The Red Sox are down to two candidates for their managerial opening: Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont and former MLB manager Bobby Valentine. Here are the latest rumors regarding Boston's search:

  • There have been no contract negotations between the Red Sox and Valentine, reports Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe (on Twitter).
  • Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reports (on Twitter) that Lamont has not yet been told he is out of the running.
  • Lamont is no longer a candidate for the job, reports ESPN's Karl Ravech (Twitter links). The position has not yet been offered to Valentine, but that appears imminent.

This post was originally published on November 28th.

Latest On Boston’s Managerial Search

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The Red Sox's search for Terry Francona's replacement is drawing to a close, though yesterday we heard that the team won't make a final decision over the weekend. They don't plan on conducting any further interviews. Here's the latest on Boston's managerial search…

  • The team is expected to announce Valentine or Lamont as its next manager within the next week, a major league source told Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com.
  • The search is down to two finalists according to John Tomase of The Boston Herald: Bobby Valentine and Tigers' third base coach Gene Lamont. Blue Jays' first base coach Torey Lovullo is out of the running.

Poll: Next Big Name Free Agent To Sign

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Two big name free agents came off the board within the first three weeks of the offseason, as CC Sabathia signed an extension with the Yankees and Jonathan Papelbon joined the Phillies. The two power-hitting first baseman are still on the market (Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder), as are the high-end shortstops (Jimmy Rollins and Jose Reyes) and left-handed starters (Mark Buehrle and C.J. Wilson). Looking for pure offense? There’s also Carlos Beltran and David Ortiz.

The Thanksgiving weekend has traditionally been a slow few days for the baseball hot stove, but think of it as the calm before the storm. The winter meetings are just over a week away, and clubs want to start patching the major holes on their rosters before the calendar flips to January. A full list of unsigned free agents can be found with our Free Agent Tracker, but only a select few qualify as big names. Which of those guys do you think will be the next to sign?

Which big name free agent will be the next to sign?
Mark Buehrle 20.96% (4,023 votes)
David Ortiz 17.25% (3,311 votes)
C.J. Wilson 16.38% (3,145 votes)
Jose Reyes 14.60% (2,803 votes)
Albert Pujols 11.29% (2,168 votes)
Jimmy Rollins 9.67% (1,857 votes)
Carlos Beltran 6.52% (1,252 votes)
Prince Fielder 3.32% (638 votes)
Total Votes: 19,197

Red Sox, Rays Have Checked In On Luis Ayala

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The Yankees got solid work out of several players they signed to minor league contracts last season, including reliever Luis Ayala. Now, a pair of their division rivals have interest in the right-hander. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter) that the Red Sox and Rays have checked in on Ayala this offseason.

Ayala, 34 in January, posted a 2.09 ERA in 56 innings for the Yankees last year, getting a ground ball 50% of the time. He struck out 6.27 batters for every nine innings pitched and walked 3.21 per nine. Ayala did not appear in the big leagues at all in 2010, and in 2009 he pitched to an ugly 5.63 ERA in 40 innings for the Twins and Marlins. His performance in New York figures to land him a guaranteed Major League contract this winter.

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