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When I go to a website and click on a link, I prefer it to open in a separate, new window rather than the way I have it on this site.  I’m thinking about switching it so that all outside links open in new windows, but I want your feedback.  Thanks.

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Ken Rosenthal has some new late-night material up.  Some highlights:

The Orioles still want Adam LaRoche…these rumors just won’t die.  Bucco Blog may have had enough.  The new structure seems to be something like Chris Ray and Hayden Penn to Atlanta for LaRoche.  The O’s are right to shop Ray; I don’t think he’ll have a 2.73 ERA or 33 saves in 2007.

The Phils or Rockies could sign Rod Barajas, pushing aside cheaper players who’d probably be reasonably effective.  Sounds like overkill; Chris Iannetta is especially polished.

Apparently the Yanks still like Shea Hillenbrand but want him on a one-year deal.  The Minky stuff could just be a brilliant ploy.

The Devil Rays couldn’t get Marcus Giles to take their three-year offer; various Baldelli and Upton packages didn’t entice them.  Still think there’s going to be some action with this club soon enough.

Ken Rosenthal has a new article up; below is a brief summary.

Rosenthal speculates that San Francisco would be a fine fit for Ichiro Suzuki when he reaches free agency after the 2007 season.

He also verifies the Brewers’ interest in Jeff Suppan, also reported in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel this morning.  One team mentioned by Rosenthal but not named in the MJS is the Mariners.

Mark Mulder will probably choose between the D’Backs, Rangers, Padres, and Cards.  However, the Indians are trying to lure him by talking up their superb medical staff.

The Giants and the Marlins are still discussing an Armando Benitez trade.

Joel Pineiro has already been contacted by five teams.  The Pirates, D-Rays, Cards, and Yanks could be among them.

Joe Hamrahi at Baseball Digest Daily has a complete list of non-tenders.  (While you’re there, check out the first half of their giant prospect list.)  Most of the important ones were listed in a couple of posts earlier tonight, but there are a few other guys your team might actually consider:

• Scott Dohmann
• Brandon Duckworth
• Mike Wood
• Willie Eyre
• Jorge Sosa
• Toby Hall
• Jayson Werth
• Victor Zambrano

Not the most inspiring list, but hey, somebody has to pitch for Pawtucket.

By Jeff Sackmann, Brew Crew Ball

Several players are officially (or soon-to-be officially) free agents, including:

• Joel Pineiro
• Jon Knott
• Victor Zambrano
• Jason Bulger
• Chin-Hui Tsao
• Aaron Guiel
• Alexis Gomez
• Brandon Duckworth
• Mike Wood
• Toby Hall
• Jayson Werth
• Damon Hollins

That’s in addition to Marcus Giles and Chris Reitsma, who are discussed below.  Surely others will follow.  One interesting non-non-tender is Brandon Claussen, who was DFAd by the Reds.  I’m surprised they’re letting him go–he may never reach his potential, but he would’ve worked for close to the minimum in 2007.  And if one thing is abundantly clear, even below-average starting pitching is a very expensive commodity right now.

In other news, the Mets re-signed Dave Williams to a one-year deal, and the Padres brought in Jose Cruz, Jr.

By Jeff Sackmann, Brew Crew Ball

Here’s a running list of players who could become free agents this afternoon.  The list was informed in part by a fine Derrick Goold post and Marc Topkin’s article today for the St. Petersburg Times.  And then some more added from RotoWorld.  Did we miss anyone?

Josh Fogg
Shawn Chacon
Rodrigo Lopez
Joel Pineiro
Marcus Giles
Chris Reitsma
Ben Broussard
Toby Hall
Mark Hendrickson
Yorvit Torrealba
David Newhan
Todd Williams
Jorge Sosa
Brendan Donnelly
Brandon Duckworth
Kyle Snyder
Chin-Hui Tsao
Javier Lopez
Humberto Cota
Antonio Perez
Eric Bruntlett
Brad Wilkerson
Jason Lane
Jody Gerut
Jayson Werth
Aaron Guiel

Getting a lot of emails about the comments becoming too unruly.  I used to read every comment up until about a month ago, when it began to just kill my inbox.  I still flip through them usually but certainly don’t read every discussion.

I don’t know.  I like to keep restrictions to a minimum.  At first you didn’t need to register to comment here.  That got out of hand after a few months, and now I require registration like most sites. 

As far as rules: just be respectful.  Don’t call people names, don’t insult them personally if you don’t agree with them.  Basically, behave like adults.  Do you need more than that?  Do you want someone policing the comments and bans handed out?

Did Braves GM John Schuerholz use the Pirates and Dave Littlefield as a pawn to create a sense of urgency for Bill Bavasi?  Bucco Blog unravels the complicated story.

Also, RotoAuthority sizes up the AL Central closers.

Southside Sox sizes up the Freddy Garcia deal, comparing Kenny Williams’s plan to that of Billy Beane when he broke up the Big 3.

Aaron Gleeman interviewed Twins manager Ron Gardenhire at the winter meetings.

Here’s Baseball America’s quick hits on today’s Rule 5 draft selections.

I don’t know about you, but typically I find bloggers’ opinions to be more interesting than those in the newspapers.  I am not referring to my own stuff but rather all the blogs I frequent.  There are some smart blogs out there with sharp analysis on deals.  As some of ’em are hilarious to boot.  That said, here are some bloggers’ takes on today’s deals.

Freddy Garcia traded to Phillies.  Sox Machine seems on the fence on the trade.

Cubs sign Ted Lilly.  Goat Riders of the Apocalypse seems lukewarm about the signing.

A’s sign Mike Piazza.  Athletics Nation has mixed feelings but appears to lean towards the negative side.

Dodgers sign Jason Schmidt, probably.  Dodger Thoughts likes the depth provided.

Mariners acquire Horacio Ramirez.  U.S.S. Mariner dislikes the deal, but believes Rafael Soriano’s at a very high risk for injury.

Indians sign Joe Borowski.  Let’s Go Tribe sees this as quantity over quality.

Bannister for Burgos.  Royals Authority likes this trade.

The Andy LaRoche non-trade.  Bucco Blog says the newspapers interfered.

Here’s the latest from Scott Miller of CBS Sportsline.  I’ll give a quick summary.

The Giants are "very interested" in Barry Zito, and Brian Sabean met with Scott Boras today.

The Jays offered Gil Meche something close to 4/34, but they believe the Cubs or Royals will get him.  Their Plan B (or C if you include Lilly) is Jeff Suppan or Mark Redman.

The latest Rocco Baldelli rumor involves Baltimore and perhaps Daniel Cabrera and/or Hayden Penn. 

The Cubs and Ms are getting medical reports on Cliff Floyd.  Like I said, poor Matt Murton.  This kid doesn’t need a platoon.