…the buzz from atlanta is that the Braves will offer a one-year deal worth roughly $7 million to Tom Glavine with a possible option for 2008…there is no word on whether he has asked for a no-trade clause, or if one will be granted…
Meanwhile, at his blog for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Dave O’Brien writes that the Braves have yet to make an [...]

The O’s and free-agent RHP Chad Bradford have reached a preliminary agreement worth $10.5 million over three-years.
In a poll of 1,200 readers at MetsBlog.com earlier today, just 35 percent of respondents feel the Mets should have matched a three-year deal for Bradford.
…oh well…
…if this indicates anything, it makes me think the Mets can no longer [...]

Free-agent C Mike Piazza is choosing between the Phillies and the A’s, writes Ken Rosenthal at FOXSports.com.
…i just don’t want to have to boo mike every few weeks, when the mets and phillies meet up next season…and i will…i mean, i’d have no choice…come on, mike, don’t put me in that position, man…

In the last week, I have been bombarded with a bevy of e-mails asking about the type of draft picks that may be gained or lost in next year’s draft due to this season’s free-agent market.
To better understand the free-agent compensation system, check out Keith Law’s recent column at ESPN.com, which is quite technical, but very [...]

According to WFAN, the Yankees have won the rights to negotiate with Japanese LHP Kei Igawa with a high bid of $25 million.
Earlier today, the Arizona Republic reported that the Padres, Cubs, Yankees, Mets, Indians, Mariners, Athletics and Diamondbacks were among several teams that bid on Igawa.
Following the MLB All-Stars tour of Japan, Mets 3B David [...]

RotoWorld.com notes that while appearing on ESPN News, Peter Gammons says he believes that Manny Ramirez will likely be traded within the next week, and sees the White Sox as a possible destination.

The Mets and Dodgers are said to be the front-runners to sign free-agent SS-2B Julio Lugo, with the Red Sox ‘fading from the pack,’ reports the Boston Herald.
Meanwhile, at his blog for ESPN.com, Buster Olney writes that the Sox are very close to signing Lugo, writing, “I’ve heard that Boston’s pursuit of Lugo, as its [...]

The Yankees were told that free-agent RHP Jason Schmidt will not move across the country to play in New York, reports Jon Heyman at SI.com.
Earlier today, San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Cubs have offered a three-year deal worth $44 million to Schmidt.

At FOXSports.com, Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cardinals and free-agent 2B Adam Kennedy are close to agreeing to a three-year, $10 million contract.
…the buzz around the second-baseman market had been that kennedy was seeking a four-year deal worth roughly $20 million…instead, he is signing a deal for less money and less years…i didn’t know such [...]

At MiLB.com, Jonathan Mayo recaps the year-that-was throughout the Mets minor-league system.
Mayo takes a look back at his five favorite pre-season prospects, which included Lastings Milledge, Phil Humber, Anderson Hernandez, Brian Bannister and Carlos Gomez, of whom he writes…
“Some time in Triple-A wouldn’t hurt, but [Gomez] could be pushing for a callup at some point in [...]

At SI.com, Tom Verducci explains the Year-After Effect, which, according to baseball executives and pitching coaches, states that young pitchers should not have their innings workload increased by more than 25 or 30 innings per year otherwise the pitcher elevates the risk of injury or a setback to his development..
Verducci worries about the new crop of starting [...]

According to Jon Heyman at SI.com, the Hanish Tigers accepted a bid of $25 million in exchange for the negotiating rights to LHP Kei Igawa.
…by the way, i believe his name is pronounced: key…
Multiple reports had suggested that teams would likely bid up to $10 million to speak with Igawa.
The Arizona Republic reports that the [...]

At Prospect Insider, Jason A Churchill puts forth an outstanding scouting report of Japanese LHP Kei Igawa.
Regarding Igawa, a veteran scout working for a team in the NL Central, with experience in Japan, Korea and China, tells Churchill…
“He’s a fringe front-line guy, for me, somewhere between that innings eater at No. 4 and the occasional dominant start [...]

The Padres, Giants and Dodgers all appear to be interested in acquiring Red Sox OF Manny Ramirez, reports the Boston Globe. 
…the buzz in new york regarding manny is silence…there really isn’t any…go figure…for two years we stumbled around, gossiping about manny and the Mets, and now that he looks to be very much available, and [...]

According to the Kyodo News Service, the Hanshin Tigers have accepted an offer from a major-league team for the right to negotiate with LHP Kei Igawa.
The winning team will be revealed later today, according to the report.
The Arizona Republic reports that the Padres, Cubs, Yankees, Mets, Indians, Mariners, Athletics and Diamondbacks are among several teams that bid [...]