Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Phillies front-runners for free-agent Helms — NAPLES, Fla. — The Phillies have emerged as the clear front-runner for free-agent infielder Wes Helms, though other teams remain in the mix, FOXSports.com has learned. — Helms, 30, is strongly considering the Phillies' offer of an everyday job …
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Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Phils close to deal with Helms — Veteran would be guaranteed $5.5 million over two years — PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies are close to signing free agent Wes Helms to a two-year contract, making the veteran the favorite to become the team's starting third baseman.
Sun-Sentinel:
Phillies have big plans for Helms — · The drawback of an affordable free agent outperforming his contract with the Marlins is getting him to sign another. — Wes Helms is going from last season's $800,000 utility infielder to next season's multi-million dollar pseudo-starting third baseman for the Phillies.
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Milledge on way out? — Omar could be ready to deal the outfielder, but his stock is down — NAPLES, Fla. — The Mets picked up another young outfielder yesterday, acquiring 25-year-old Ben Johnson, along with righthanded reliever Jon Adkins, from the Padres, in return for relievers Heath Bell and Royce Ring.
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Milledge 'fits fine;' Jays, Thomas close — NAPLES, Fla. - Conspiracy theorists might opine that the Mets' acquisition of a young outfielder yesterday will have a ripple effect on Lastings Milledge. But Omar Minaya says he still considers Milledge a potential starter in left field next season …
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:Mets acquire Adkins, Johnson from Padres for Bell, Ring
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
Jim Allen / ESPN:
Boston's bid is the talk of Japan — TOKYO — This went well beyond a sports story. — The news that a major league team would pay $51.1 million to acquire the negotiating rights to a Japanese player shook the nation on Wednesday. — Daisuke Matsuzaka, his team and the Japanese public …
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Sources: Blue Jays closing in on deal with Thomas … NAPLES, Fla. — The Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on a deal with free agent designated hitter Frank Thomas, two sources at the general managers' meetings told ESPN.com. — Thomas, 38, batted .270 with 39 homers and 114 RBI last season for the Oakland Athletics.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Devil Rays could move young outfielders — NAPLES, Fla. - Notes from the general managers' meetings: — Judging from their aggressiveness in trade talks, the Devil Rays appear increasingly willing to trade one of their young outfielders — most likely Rocco Baldelli — for premium young pitching.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Padres interested in signing Bonds — All those who thought the Giants would be the only suitor for Barry Bonds, think again. — Specifically, think about Bonds hitting the 22 home runs he needs to break Hank Aaron's all-time record in a Padres' uniform.
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Soriano is a prime commodity … NAPLES, Fla. — Baseball executives might want to clear out of the Naples Grande Resort soon, in hopes that some fresh air and a change of scenery will prompt them to think twice about all that money they're on track to spend.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Bonds may leave Giants after 14 years, agent says … NAPLES, Fla. — As the agent for Barry Bonds sizes up the market for the No. 2 home-run hitter in history, the prospect of Bonds leaving San Francisco for another city is growing less unthinkable by the day.
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
O's agree to deal with reliever Walker … NAPLES, FLA. // The Orioles have agreed in principle to a three-year deal with Detroit Tigers left-handed reliever Jamie Walker, according to two club sources. — The contract will pay Walker, arguably the best left-handed reliever on the free agent market …
Discussion:
Cutoff Man
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Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers take step to shift training to Arizona — After six decades in baseball's most storied spring home, the Dodgers appear to be headed to the Cactus League. — The Dodgers and Chicago White Sox have agreed to share a stadium and training complex in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale, with the grand opening targeted for 2009.
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Associated Press:
Devil Rays obtain negotiating rights to Iwamura for $4.5 million — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays won the negotiating rights to Japanese star infielder Akinori Iwamura on Wednesday, submitting a winning bid of about $4.5 million for the power hitter.
Discussion:
Powered
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Center-field job still open — NAPLES — The Marlins need a center fielder. For a moment, Dan Jennings thought he had found one. — It was a news photographer who impressed Jennings late Tuesday by sprinting across the lobby of the Naples Grande Resort in time to snap away at the arrival of agent Scott Boras.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Associated Press:
Poker face: A-Rod says he wants to stay — NEW YORK (AP) - Alex Rodriguez wants to play the hand he's got with the Yankees. — Arriving at his charity poker tournament Wednesday night, the much-maligned slugger insisted he wants to stay in New York rather than be traded to a town where the fans might not be so hard on him.
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MLB.com:
Nationals games to be heard on Washington Post Radio in 2007 — The Washington Nationals today named Bonneville International Corporation as its radio partner for the 2007 baseball season. For the second straight season, all 162 regular-season games, as well as at least 10 Spring Training contests …
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NY Daily News:
Is it ex-Manager of Year? — Vote amazes Minaya — NAPLES, Fla. - No offense to Joe Girardi, who did a truly commendable job in guiding the $14 million "Baby Marlins" to the brink of the playoffs this season, but if you ask me, Willie Randolph got jobbed yesterday in the Baseball Writers Association NL Manager of the Year voting.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Former top picks on road back to bigs — Burnett, Van Benschoten and Bullington ready to compete — PITTSBURGH — It wasn't all that long ago that Sean Burnett, John Van Benschoten and Bryan Bullington were viewed as the future of the Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation, a trio that could anchor the staff for many years to come.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs give Blanco 2-year contract — Club may listen to offers for Barrett; Fox solid in minors — NAPLES, Fla. — Murmurs from baseball's general managers meeting: — Despite having young catchers Geovany Soto and Jose Reyes on the 40-man roster, the Cubs gave Henry Blanco a deal …
