News, Notes, and Links

LOTS going on today, but unfortunately, no good news for Orioles fans...

• Yahoo.com writer Steve Henson profiled the off-season needs of all 14 American League teams.
• The Boston Red Sox made the move of the off-season, prying Adrian Gonzalez from San Diego in exchange for 3 minor leaguers and a player-to-be-named.
• The Yankees and Derek Jeter stopped eating idiot sandwiches, and jumped back in bed with each other; they agreed today on a 3-year deal for between $45-$51 million, total.
• The St Louis Cardinals signed Lance Berkman, my favorite sleeper free-agent, to a 1-year, $8 million dollar deal. Since they obviously have Albert Pujols cemented at first base, Berkman will more than likely play left-field, with incumbant Matt Holliday moving to right.
• RHP Aaron Harang, my favorite sleeper free-agent pitcher, signed with the San Diego Padres.
• Former Cub player and broadcaster Ron Santo passed away Thursday night, at age 70. He had multiple health problems, including diabetes and bladder cancer.
• Yahoo Sports contributor Andrew Mindzak lists the Orioles' acquisition of Frank Robinson from the Reds after the 1965 season as one of the ten most lopsided trades in sports history.
• Alex Remington at Big League Stew lists Miguel Tejada's 2006 season with the Orioles as one of the top 10 seasons by a shortstop after the age of 30.
• MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli writes about how the Orioles are searching for a big bat at the winter meetings; this implies they're looking for to trade than to acquire via free-agency, which is a good idea, since most free agents seem to think of Baltimore as a death sentence.