Top News:
Tom G / Balls, Sticks, & Stuff:
Chase Utley and Phillies Reach 7-Year Deal — From Scott Lauber and The News Journal: … Whoa. — Just a few days ago, the Phillies and the Utley camp were exchanging arbitration figures ranging from $4.5 million to $6.5 million for the 2007 season. As it turns out, those discussions hardly qualify as sparring.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Utley agrees to seven-year, $85M extension — Chase Utley might be the best second baseman in the National League. Now, the Phillies are paying him as such. — Utley and the Phillies agreed to a seven-year, $85 million extension Sunday, avoiding salary arbitration.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Rockies reach agreement with Lawrence — The Rockies, adding to their rotation depth, have reached a preliminary agreement with free-agent right-hander Brian Lawrence on a one-year contract with a club option, FOXSports.com has learned. — Lawrence, 30, likely will become the Rockies' fifth starter …
RELATED:
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies agree in principle with Lawrence — Familiarity with the region and the genuine interest from the beginning led starter Brian Lawrence to agree in principle with the Rockies on one-year deal with a club option Sunday, according to his agent. — Lawrence was born in Fort Collins and still has relatives in the area.
Discussion:
Bucs Trade Winds
ESPN:
Ruhle dies of complications from stem cell transplant — Former Reds pitching coach Vern Ruhle died Saturday night at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston of complications from a donor stem cell transplant for the treatment of multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow. He was 55.
Discussion:
The Daily Fungo
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Cancer claims ex-pitcher Ruhle, 55 — CINCINNATI (AP) — Vern Ruhle, a former major league pitcher and coach for several teams, died after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was 55. — Ruhle died Saturday at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston of complications from treatment for multiple myeloma …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Longtime editor of Sporting News dies — Reidenbaugh helped publication become "Bible of Baseball" — Lowell Reidenbaugh, long-time managing editor of The Sporting News, died Saturday in St. Louis. He was 87. — During Reidenbaugh's tenure, the St. Louis-based weekly publication was known as the "Bible of Baseball."
Associated Press:
Floyd nearing deal to return home, play for Cubs — CHICAGO — Cliff Floyd and the Chicago Cubs are nearing agreement on a one-year contract, a deal that may include an option for 2008 that the outfielder can control. — Floyd, who was born in Chicago, is likely to make a decision this week.
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
RELATED:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates ramp up pursuit of Ohka — Lawrence, another free-agent pitcher, chooses Rockies — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — With Brian Lawrence out of the picture, the Pirates have escalated efforts to sign free-agent starter Tomo Ohka. — And they should know soon if there will be a payoff.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Hot Stove: Torres ready, willing to face heat — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — Earlier in the week, before the Adam LaRoche trade rocked the Pirates' world, before Mike Gonzalez was sent off to Atlanta, Salomon Torres was choosing his words carefully when speaking …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, Bucs Trade Winds, Lone Star Ball, A New Pirates Generation and Honest Wagner
Peter Abraham / lohud.com:
Cashman glad he's not Boss' puppet anymore — The Yankees have gone six seasons without winning the World Series, a baseball eternity for a team of their stature. But Kevin Towers cannot remember a time when Brian Cashman has been happier. — "He had gotten to a point where he was beyond frustrated …
NY Daily News:
It's 'Moneybull' — Skippers underappreciated, underpaid — It appears the Mets and Willie Randolph are moving inexorably on agreeing to disagree in regard to the manager's value in a contract extension. But while I'm told the negotiations between the two sides have been amicable …
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
Dylan Hernandez / Mercury News:
Giants G.M. vague on Bonds talks — UNSPECIFIED ISSUES KEEPING DEAL FROM BEING COMPLETED — The Giants remain in contract talks with Barry Bonds, General Manager Brian Sabean said Friday. But Sabean said that those discussions are at ``the same place it's been for weeks'' because of ``numerous …
RELATED:
NY Daily News:
Wax museum to put Met in lineup — It might finally be the Mets' turn to step up to the plate. — Although Madame Tussauds wax museum on W. 42nd St. boasts five Yankees on its roster and no Amazin's, that's about to change, according to Crain's New York Business.
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
