In Boston, Alex Speier cites sources as saying that Red Sox Owner John Henry "met with one and only one free agent this offseason" -- newly acquired P David Price. The meeting "took place last month, between the general managers meetings and Thanksgiving." Henry, President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski, GM Mike Hazen, and manager John Farrell "traveled to meet with Price and his agent, Bo McKinnis, in Price’s Nashville-area home" before ultimately offering a seven-year, $217M contract (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/4).
WHAT WILL IT TAKE? In Philadelphia, Mike Sielski writes under the header, "Will Sixers' Tank Job Truly Be Worth It?" Sielski: "How good do the Sixers eventually have to be, and how long do they have to be that good, to justify how bad they have been and will yet be? ... How many games and championships do the Sixers have to win to make all this embarrassment worthwhile?" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 12/4).
GETTING BIGGER IN TEXAS: In Dallas, Mike Heika writes good teams "build strong financial roots, and the Stars are trying to do that." Team Owner Tom Gaglardi, in addition to buying the AHL Texas Stars to "expand his hockey footprint" in the state, is "exploring the construction of Lone Star state hotels." He has "purchased land by the Cedar Park Center and in Plano and is looking in Dallas." Gaglardi said, "Over the last four years, I've gotten to know the market and people, and I feel more comfortable down there" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/4).
BIZZY BEES: In Salt Lake City, Brennan Smith notes the PCL Salt Lake Bees "were recognized as the top Triple-A franchise in the Minor Leagues Thursday morning with the Baseball America Bob Freitas Award," which is given to franchises that "focus on 'business success, operational practices and community involvement'" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 12/4).
