Baseball Beat: Monday, December 3rd

Here is the rundown for the December 3rd edition of Baseball Beat. Charley hosted the show LIVE from Nashville, Tennessee at the Opryland Hotel, site of the 2007 MLB Winter Meetings. All times Eastern.

1:05 p.m.
Guest: Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated
1:25 p.m.
Guest: Nick Cafardo, Boston Globe
Tune: Nashville Cats by Lovin' Spoonful
1:45 p.m.
Guest: David O'Brien, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tune: Nashville Cats by Lovin' Spoonful
2:05 p.m.
Guest: Tyler Kepner, New York Times
2:25 p.m.
Guest: Phil Rogers, Chicago Tribune
Tune: Nashville Cats by Lovin' Spoonful
2:45 p.m.
Guest: Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle
Tune: Nashville Skyline Rag by Bob Dylan

Guest Summaries:
Verducci discussed the Miguel Cabrera to Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim trade still being alive and sensible, how the Yankees needed Andy Pettitte to come back to give reliable innings instead of relying too much on the kids, and how the Yankees needs Johan Santana much more than the Red Sox do. Cafardo talked about how Boston might be trying to drive up the price for Johan Santana by dangling Jacoby Ellsbury out there, but in the end the Yankees will offer enough for Santana and Boston will not want to match. O'Brien discussed the Braves only having small holes to fill so there will not be a big splash by them at the meetings, how he is excited for Yuniel Escobar this year, and that Mike Gonzalez is on pace to contribute greatly this year to the ATL bullpen. Kepner talked about Andy Pettite's return to the Bronx and how health was the key issue in deciding to come back, not money. He also discussed the Johan Santana trade talks and how only the Yankees can truly afford him, but by giving up Phil Hughes, Boston wins in the trade as well. Rogers commented on the day's trade of the White Sox sending Chris Carter to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Carlos Quentin and possible landing points for Aaron Rowand. Slusser talked about how the A's are still interested in acquiring Barry Bonds, despite the federal indictment, because overall the players respect him and protections from possible season interruptions can be written into a contract. If he is able to play most of the season, he would still absolutely help the Oakland A's.