Top News:
Fox Sports:
Is Samardzija a sound investment for Cubs? — Carl Yazstrzemski, Red Schoendienst, Orel Hershiser and now ... Jeff Samardzija? — Yes, add one more to the litany of baseball names that are nigh impossible to spell. We speak, of course, of Jeff Samardzija.
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ESPN:
Cubs sign Samardzija to five-year, $8 million deal — Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija has decided to forego a pro football career for that of a baseball pitcher — and he'll be well compensated for it. — Samardzija signed a five-year deal Friday to play baseball full-time, starting in the Chicago Cubs' minor league system.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Samardzija going to focus on Cubs career — Cubs prospect Jeff Samardzija, a record-breaking receiver at Notre Dame, is giving up football for baseball, FOXSports.com has learned. — Samardzija, a right-handed pitcher, was the Cubs' fifth-round pick last summer and projected as a first-round pick in the NFL draft.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Notre Damer picks Cubs over football — Jeff Samardzija's dreams of becoming the next Bo Jackson are over. — The Cubs announced Friday that the pitcher will forgo an NFL career to sign a five-year deal to play baseball full-time, beginning in the team's minor league system.
MLB.com:
Cubs' Samardzija commits to baseball — Standout wide receiver at Notre Dame forgoes football career — CHICAGO — Jeff Samardzija, whom the Cubs selected in the fifth round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, will forgo the National Football League Draft and commit to a baseball career.
Baseball America:
Samardzija's Bonus Won't Set Record — Jeff Samardzija didn't receive a record bonus, after all. But as he nears the time when he may have to pick between baseball and football, he might get his big payday just the same. — Baseball America reported last June that Samardzija had agreed …
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
ESPN:
Indians agree with Nixon for one year, $3 million … Free-agent outfielder Trot Nixon has agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with the Cleveland Indians, ESPN.com's Peter Gammons reports. — Nixon, who has spent his entire pro baseball career with the Boston Red Sox organization …
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Bill Ordine / Baltimore Sun:
The price is ... different … The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox might be tough on the Orioles on the field, but they've been terrific at the box office. — So to apparently cash in on the popularity of their fiercest rivals, the Orioles are charging extra for single-game tickets …
Discussion:
Oriole Post
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Hurdle on hot seat in '07 season — For a manager on notice, Clint Hurdle has never looked more relaxed. He's letting his hair grow out, is well-rested following successful treatment of sleep apnea and feels healthy after changing his diet, eschewing chocolate and Fritos.
Jack Etkin / Rocky Mountain News:
Spending time with Yankees — If you're planning to catch them against Rockies, dig deep — The Rockies-Yankees midweek series occurs in June, long before pennant races crystallize, contending teams feel an urgency to win and scoreboard watching becomes an earnest pursuit.
Bill Simmons / ESPN:
When did hate take over sports? — After one of the greatest victories in Patriots history, after one of the defining Sundays of the Belichick-Brady Era, after an absolute roller-coaster ride of a win, after one of the more memorable they-had-absolutely-no-business- winning-that-thing games in recent memory …
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Ortiz expected to join rotation picture — Former Nationals right-hander brings experience to Twins — MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins are close to signing right-handed pitcher Ramon Ortiz to a one-year deal. — The deal, which the Star Tribune is reporting to be worth $3.1 million, will not be completed until Ortiz passes his physical.
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Lee Jenkins / New York Times:
Uneasy at First, Mets Embrace Their New Orleans Connection — A woman wearing a pink cowboy hat covered in rhinestones walked down Bourbon Street on Wednesday night and spotted a character with equally outrageous headgear. — "Hey there," the woman shouted. "Who are you?"
Eric Justic / MLB.com:
Chavez on a tear in winter ball — Major Leaguer among the top hitters in Venezuelan league — Endy Chavez is used to making highlight-reel plays during the postseason, so his performance in the Venezuelan Winter League playoffs has come as no surprise. — The 28-year-old outfielder stole …
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Who's going to fill Selig's shoes? … Bud Selig recently announced plans to step down as baseball commissioner in 2009, when his contract expires. He'll be 75 years old then, and he plans to spend his free time teaching, writing a book, enjoying scenic Milwaukee sunsets and doing whatever else it is that former commissioners do.
Associated Press:
Pirates' Chacon agrees to 1-year deal — PITTSBURGH - Right-hander Shawn Chacon, the leading contender for the final spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates' rotation, bypassed salary arbitration Friday by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $3,825,000. — Chacon, who split last season between …
