Top News:
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Piniella considering Soriano in center — Manager 'intrigued' by idea of star manning middle of outfield — CHICAGO — New Cubs manager Lou Piniella may have found the solution for center field at the Cubs Convention. What about Alfonso Soriano in center?
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Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
Injury-prone Prior says he's ready for spring camp — Mark Prior, who was among a group of Cubs pitchers who threw for pitching coach Larry Rothschild on Friday morning at Northwestern, pronounced himself ready for spring training and the first week of the regular season.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs already thinking big — Piniella, players expect to contend for title in 2007 — Derrek Lee sent Michael Barrett a text message on his cell phone the other day reminding him of what to expect during the long road ahead. — "He [said]: 'This is our year,'" Barrett said Friday on the opening day of the Cubs Convention.
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Blast from the past — Here's a curious case for all sides of the steroid debate, for the amateur lawyers who have bastardized the concept of innocent until proven guilty, the hard-liners who view performance-enhancing drugs as Satan's elixir and the majority that cares not to blacken or whiten a gray issue.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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MLB.com:
Sosa's return a mixed bag — Slugger rekindles fond memories of '98, and suspicion — The potential reappearance of Sammy Sosa does not at first glance remind you of Gen. Douglas MacArthur's return to the Philippines. — "I shall return," MacArthur vowed in a moment of bitter defeat.
Bernie Wilson / Associated Press:
Padres, Wells agree to 1-year deal — SAN DIEGO (AP) — David Wells is all but penciled in as the No. 5 starter for his hometown San Diego Padres. — The Padres and Wells' agent agreed in principle Friday to a $3 million, one-year deal that gives the 43-year-old left-hander the chance to make another $4 million in incentives.
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Padres reach deal with Wells — Veteran southpaw opts to return to hometown team — SAN DIEGO — The Padres and David Wells have agreed in principle on a one-year deal, pending a physical exam, club general manager Kevin Towers said on Friday. — The contract is for $3 million guaranteed …
Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:Wells agrees to one-year deal with Padres
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
McPherson expected to miss most of year — A lower-back injury that limited Dallas McPherson to 61 games in 2005 and 40 games in 2006 probably will sideline the Angels infielder for most, if not all, of the 2007 season. — McPherson all but conceded Friday night that he would need surgery …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
A few twists for Angels at first — Kotchman is healthy, Morales needs a knee examination and McPherson's back is once again a sore subject. — The news was mixed on the Angels' first base front today. For Casey Kotchman, it was very good. For Dallas McPherson, it was bad.
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Extra Innings Package and 24-Hour Channel Headed Exclusively to DirecTV — Major League Baseball is close to announcing a deal that will place its Extra Innings package of out-of-market games exclusively on DirecTV, which will also become the only carrier of a long-planned 24-hour baseball channel.
Discussion:
It's Mets For Me, The Mighty Quinn Media Machine, Cincinnati Reds, The Griddle and Baseball Musings
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Is LaRoche trade enough to save Littlefield's job? — Littlefield's future tied to trade — Mark it down: — The Adam LaRoche-for-Mike Gonzalez trade will be remembered as the Pirates' best trade of the Dave Littlefield era. — Please no wise cracks about how that isn't saying much.
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Natalie / Need4Sheed.com:
Pistons Get A Much Needed Win In Double OT — The Pistons -Timberwolves game looked like it was going to be a carbon copy of Monday nights loss at the Palace. But thankfully Richard Hamilton knocked down a shot to tie the game up 79-79 to send the game into overtime.
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Tribe, Nixon agree on one-year deal — Veteran brings leadership, playoff experience to outfield — CLEVELAND — Trot Nixon picked the team. His 5-year-old son, Chase, picked the number. — When Nixon's one-year, $3 million deal with the Indians, which was announced Friday, was finished …
Discussion:
A Red Sox Fan …
Marc Jimenez / MLB.com:
Guzman showing potential in playoffs — Righty strong across two starts in Venezuelan Winter League — Angel Guzman struggled after a late-season promotion to the Chicago Cubs, but the right-hander appears to be regaining his form for Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League playoffs.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
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Carol Pogash / New York Times:
Giant Does Not Blame Bonds for Link to Positive Drug Test — This should have been a feel-good event, part of a fanfest weekend being staged by the San Francisco Giants. Maybe some softball questions from reporters and some home run responses from the 14 Giants players who were taking part.
