Top News:
NY Daily News:
For Valentin, 2nd run with Mets — Jose Valentin's surprise performance for the 2006 Mets has earned him another year in Flushing. — The Mets have agreed with Valentin on what is believed to be a one-year contract for a substantial raise - to roughly $3 million - pending a physical …
Discussion:
Tales Of A Transplanted …
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New York Post:
VALENTIN RETURNING TO METS — As a reward for emerging as the productive replacement to Kaz Matsui at second base, Jose Valentin has agreed to a contract with the Mets that will more than quadruple his salary. — Valentin has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with a vesting option for 2008 …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Rookie Race Too Close to Call — Nats' Zimmerman Has the Numbers, but So Do Others — If the waves are right and it's not too cold, you might find Ryan Zimmerman off the coast of Virginia Beach, wetsuit wrapped around his body, surfboard under his feet. If the rain holds off and the breeze …
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Willis' fate could be decided soon — Marlins pitcher Dontrelle Willis has spent his off-season getting ready for one of the biggest moves of his life: He's getting married next month. — But a wedding might not be the only change in store for him this winter.
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins: Pitching depth might bring about trades — If the 2007 season started today, the Marlins would be perhaps the only team to know its starting rotation. — That may not be indicative of their willingness to trade some of their surplus pitching. — The front office enters …
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Despite the dollars, Red Sox' pursuit of Matsuzaka makes sense — NAPLES, Fla. — A plethora of no comments and no answers have been the norm the past few days when Red Sox personnel have been asked about Daisuke Matsuzaka, a possible sign that where there's smoke, there's fire …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Prospect of Acta has players excited — Patterson among those familiar with reported new skipper — WASHINGTON — Nationals right-hander John Patterson was pitching for the Licey Tigers in the Dominican Winter League in 2004, and he said to himself that his manager, Manny Acta …
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals Know What They'll Get — When most new managers arrive at their first spring training, there is little that can occur before the introductions. They must meet the new players, slap a few backs, lay down the rules, set the expectations. The feeling-out process is far more important than …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Hot stove notes from the winter meetings — NAPLES, Fla. - Notes from the general managers' meetings: — Third baseman Aramis Ramirez actually is guaranteed $75 million in his new five-year deal with the Cubs, not the $73 million that was initially reported.
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Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Baseball GMs gather in Fla. for meetings — NEW YORK —With the free-agent market open for business, major league general managers gathered in Naples, Fla., for their annual meetings. — Aramis Ramirez decided not to pursue the free-agent market, agreeing Sunday to a five-year …
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Marcus Hayes / Philly.com:
Soriano might be lone option for Phils — The Phillies' backup plans have evaporated. — Gary Sheffield got traded from the Yankees to the Tigers on Friday. Aramis Ramirez signed a deal to remain with the Cubs yesterday. — They were the righthanded bats the Phillies hoped to acquire …
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Humidors attract attention of general managers — Naples, Fla. - Like Kenny Rogers, Major League Baseball is determined to get a better grip on its baseballs. — Before arriving Sunday at the general managers' meetings, Joe Garagiola Jr. met with team equipment managers last week to determine how teams store their baseballs.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Towers has needs, and also leverage — The Padres' Kevin Towers today departs for baseball's general managers meetings in Florida appearing more empowered than in his 11 previous offseasons as GM. — Given about $30 million in payroll relief, Towers has enhanced spending ability …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Steve Lombardi / WasWatching.com:
Gwen Lawrence's "Power Yoga For Baseball" … WasWatching: What was the driving force for you behind the concept of applying yoga to baseball conditioning? — Gwen Lawrence: I have been a practicing fitness professional since 1990. I started teaching yoga in 1998 and became involved with local athletic teams shortly thereafter.
