Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Marlins, Willis agree to deal prior to exchanging figures … Dontrelle Willis reached agreement Monday on a one-year, guaranteed $6.45 million contract with the Florida Marlins, a day before he was scheduled to exchange salary arbitration figures with the club.
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Willis, Marlins agree on contract — Florida ace avoids arbitration with one-year, $6.45 million deal — MIAMI — Based on performance, Dontrelle Willis has posted numbers that rank up with some of the top young pitchers in the Major Leagues. — The Marlins' ace left-hander now is being paid accordingly.
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Willis avoids arbitration, agrees to one-year deal — Dontrelle Willis has become a foundational player on and off the field. The Marlins recognize that and are paying him as such. — Monday, the Marlins and Willis agreed to a one-year, $6.45 million contract to avoid arbitration.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Sheffield Makes Noise Again, This Time in a Book — In an autobiography to be published this spring, Gary Sheffield, a player famous for voicing his displeasure, describes his relationship with Barry Bonds, his link to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative steroid distribution case …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Mailbag: How's the rotation shaping up? — Nationals beat reporter Bill Ladson answers fans' questions … What do you think about the Nationals not offering Frank Robinson any kind of paying job with the team? — David B., Vienna, Va. — The Lerner group paid more than $400 million …
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer
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Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
Hall of Famer Sutton to Be a Voice for the Nationals — With the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles both set to broadcast their games this season on MASN, the Nationals chose Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton as their color commentator. Together with Jim Palmer, it gives the network a Hall of Fame pitcher in each team's booth.
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers bring in Sosa for look — Former slugging star, out of baseball in 2006, works out for team — Free agent Sammy Sosa worked out for manager Ron Washington and hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo on Monday, Rangers spokesman Gregg Elkin confirmed. — He worked out in the indoor batting cages …
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Associated Press:
Slugger Sosa works out for Rangers — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Sammy Sosa worked out again Monday for the Texas Rangers, the team he began his career with, before meeting general manager Jon Daniels and other club officials. — "The workouts and subsequent conversations have been positive.
Tom Timmermann / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
City gets '09 All-Star Game — The Cardinals celebrated their 2006 World Series title on Monday night at the annual baseball writers banquet and got an extra gift when Commissioner Bud Selig announced that Busch Stadium would be the host for the 2009 All-Star Game.
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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Second player needed for LaRoche deal, but who? — Pirates, Braves still stuck on Atlanta first baseman — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates are, by all accounts, casting a wide net in their search for a left-handed power bat, particularly in light …
David Lennon / Newsday:
Opting for low risk — Always looking for yet another low-risk, high-reward piece to the puzzle, general manager Omar Minaya will add Jorge Sosa to his pitching ranks this week when the Mets formally announce his one-year, $1.25-million deal for next season.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Associated Press:
Hall of Famer Fingers disputes tax delinquency — MILWAUKEE — Hall of Fame pitcher Rollie Fingers disputed his status as one of Wisconsin's largest tax delinquents, insisting in an online journal that he had income taxes withheld from every paycheck when he played for the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1980s.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Mets Clear a Comeback Trail for Sierra — How can you like a guy like this? — Rubén Sierra is batting in the ninth inning of a game against Texas, the last game before the All-Star Game last July. Minnesota is down by three runs with a runner on second base, two out and Joe Mauer on deck.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Alan Schwarz / ESPN:
Delmon could be a dangerous weapon — The assignment is to identify the "hottest rookie" who will begin the season in the major leagues. Thank goodness I can sidestep defining "hot." Because first, a definition of "rookie" is in order. — Like it or not, Daisuke Matsuzaka …
Discussion:
Devil Rays Blog
Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
Right now, Jones best bet left for center — Jacque Jones won't be at the Cubs Convention this weekend. The veteran outfielder doesn't fit the profile of beaming Cub eager to mix with dreaming fans. — It's no secret the Cubs have been peddling Jones this offseason.
Discussion:
Hot Foot, The Chicago National …, MetsBlog.com, MLB Trade Rumors and Ben Maller's Sports …
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