Top News:
Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Fans get answers on Sosa, top prospect — The Rangers had their second town hall meeting of the year Tuesday night, and fans wasted little time in getting to the most important issues of the off-season. — First question: "How much is parking this year?"
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Dallas Morning News:
Rangers should steer clear of Sosa — Slugger, a shadow of former self, could be a clubhouse distraction — There's no need for the Rangers to sign Sammy Sosa. — They don't need him to contend in the American League West or take spring training at-bats away from young players such as Jason Botts, Victor Diaz and Nelson Cruz.
Phil Sheridan / Philly.com:
Phillies add new fire to their lineup — Will it be enough to heat up the super-cool Pat Burrell? — There isn't much chance the Phillies deliberately attempted to add energy and attitude to their roster by emulating the Eagles' mid-season resurgence. — So it's mere coincidence …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Murray Chass / New York Times:
Unsigned Bonds Awaits Further Review — Six weeks after they agreed to terms on new contracts, Barry Bonds and J. D. Drew remain unsigned. Bonds hasn't signed with the Giants; Drew hasn't signed with the Red Sox. That prompts a thought. If both contracts were to fall through …
Discussion:
Keep Your Sox On In Brooklyn, 6-4-2, Sports Frog, The Feeding the Monster Blog and Pride of the Yankees
Brent Schrotenboer / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Marcus Giles detained after fight at Qualcomm — New Padres second baseman Marcus Giles was handcuffed, detained and escorted from Qualcomm Stadium during Sunday's Chargers playoff game after getting involved in a fight on the stadium's club level, according to police.
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Drew, Red Sox continue negotiating contract — It was Dec. 5, at about 6:45 p.m., in the lobby of The Dolphin Hotel in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., when Scott Boras announced that J.D. Drew had agreed to a five-year, $70 million deal with the Red Sox. Today is Jan. 17, 2007.
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Ronald Blum / Associated Press:Zambrano asks for $15.5 million; Cabrera, Mauer, Sanchez …
Discussion:
Blogging Baseball
Jeff Seidel / MLB.com:
World champ Cards visit White House — Team has brief ceremony with President Bush to celebrate — WASHINGTON — St. Louis manager Tony La Russa, pitching coach Dave Duncan, chairman of the board/general partner William O. DeWitt and a group of players got a chance to meet President George W. Bush at the White House last August.
Discussion:
The Baseball Desert
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Around the Horn: Middle Infielders — Guzman looks to rebound in '06; Lopez to play new position … WASHINGTON — The return of Cristian Guzman and the transition of Felipe Lopez from shortstop to second base will be the most intriguing aspects of Spring Training for the Nationals.
Discussion:
Oleanders and Morning Glories
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
M's get roster ready for spring — The Mariners introduced left-handed starter Horacio Ramirez and switch-hitting designated hitter Jose Vidro on Tuesday, likely the last two pieces of the 40-man roster that will arrive at spring training in a month. — In a flurry of moves ahead …
Discussion:
Beerleaguer
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Pitching still a major concern for most teams — Major league teams have increased their spending to outrageous new levels, and for what? — The free-agent market is nearly dry, spring training is a month away and a significant number of teams are still worried about their starting pitching.
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Brian Borawski / Hardball Times:
An Interview With Broadcasting Legend Ernie Harwell (Part 1) — I've never been a huge fan of audiobooks. If given the choice between sitting down and reading a book or listening to a book on CD, I'd normally opt for print. For once though, I've found an exception.
Discussion:
TigerBlog
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Big pay boost for LaRoche — Braves, first baseman $900K apart in arbitration offers — Adam LaRoche's career-best performance in 2006 helped earn the Braves first baseman what will amount to about a 700-percent raise for the upcoming season. — LaRoche asked for $3.7 million …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Win or lose, Cubs will have to pay — Arbitration season in swing; Zambrano seeking $15.5 million — Carlos Zambrano followed Cubs general manager Jim Hendry's spending spree closely from his Venezuelan home this off-season, knowing his turn to cash in was just around the corner.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates, Sanchez far apart in arbitration — Gonzalez, Nady sign, but five others exchange salary figures — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates avoided arbitration with closer Mike Gonzalez and first baseman/outfielder Xavier Nady by agreeing to one-year contracts yesterday …
Discussion:
Bucco Blog
Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
Nats, Snelling Agree; Other Deals Pending — The Washington Nationals agreed to a one-year, $450,000 contract with newly acquired outfielder Chris Snelling yesterday, thus avoiding an arbitration hearing with one of their six eligible players. However, none of the others is expected …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets avoid arbitration with two reserves — Chavez to earn $1.725 million, Castro to make $850,000 in 2007 — NEW YORK — Willie Randolph was about to begin his brief tour of duty as the Mets' second baseman. Bobby Bonilla hadn't yet offered tours of the Bronx, and Howard Johnson had 30-30 vision.
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
