Top News:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
For Nats Outfielder Logan, a Familiar Position — Here is Manny Acta, manager of the Washington Nationals, on how much competition Nook Logan, who has 545 major league at-bats, will face for the starting center field job when spring training opens next month: "He's going to spring training as our center fielder.
Discussion:
MLB.com, Capitol Punishment, District of Baseball, William F. Yurasko, Ben Maller's Sports … and The Griddle
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Erstad could still return to Angels — Free agent Darin Erstad still could return to the Angels as a backup first baseman and outfielder, but the Marlins and White Sox are offering him greater playing time, according to his agent, Greg Genske. — The Cubs, who remain interested in Erstad …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Zambrano shooting for the moon — Pitcher may play out season unless he gets Zito-like pact — If the opening round of talks between the Cubs and Carlos Zambrano's agents are any indication, negotiations can be summed up in two simple words: — "Where's mine?"
Discussion:
GROTA
Murray Chass / New York Times:
With Two Deals Stalled, Joke Never Gets Started — You would think that when the Red Sox won the 2004 World Series, it would have liberated their fans, enabled all of them to smile and laugh. — For whatever reason, however, some segment of that fan base doesn't recognize a joke when it encounters one …
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Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Drew delay no big deal to Sox — Just 24 days before the opening of spring training, the Red Sox [team stats] still have not officially announced their five-year, $70 million contract with free agent outfielder J.D. Drew [stats] that was agreed upon back on Dec. 5.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Ohka out of Pirates' plan, but Armas in — Team talking with former Nationals pitcher — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — As the field of right-handed starters in free agency keeps dwindling for the Pirates — their talks with Tomo Ohka suddenly broke off yesterday …
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Michael Morrissey / New York Post:
CANO'S NO. 22 TO ROG - IF ... The Yankees are preparing for Roger Clemens - at least, numerically speaking. — Recently, the club asked All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano to hand over his No. 22 in the event of another Rocket launch in The Bronx, The Post confirmed yesterday.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Cano agrees to switch to No. 24 from No. 22 — If Roger Clemens pitches in The Pinstripes again next season, the Yankees are ready for his return. — The Yankees asked second baseman Robinson Cano to give up his No. 22 if Clemens returns to the Bronx and Cano agreed to switch to No. 24.
Discussion:
Off the Facade
Mark Hale / New York Post:
WILLIE, METS TALK PACT — SIDES SAY NO RUSH — Omar Minaya said last night the Mets want to sign Willie Randolph to a new contract before spring training. — The GM and manager didn't put a deadline on discussions, however, with Minaya saying he would be fine if talks extended into camp …
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Christian Red / NY Daily News:
'It's never enough' — Jackie's widow wants more progress — As black and white images of Jackie Robinson's life flashed on multiple television screens above the main floor of the ESPN Zone in midtown last night, Willie Randolph was introduced to warm applause from the capacity crowd.
Zach Landres-Schnur / The Big Picture:
Bruce Pearl is surprisingly less hairy than we thought he'd be — That man there, that's Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl! And he's not wearing a shirt! And his chest has a V on it! And he's wearing a headband! And that's Bruce Pearl! And he appears to be leading a thunderous charge!
Bryan Smith / Baseball Analysts:
The 2007 WTNY Prospect List — There is no greater season for a prospect evaluator than the winter, as we finally bear down, combine all the evidence and take our stances. For the fourth winter in a row, I have compiled a list of the minor league's 75 best talents — Major League Baseball's future stars.
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Surgery for McPherson today — Dallas McPherson will undergo surgery today to remove a herniated disk, a procedure that will sideline the young Angels slugger for at least six months but should bring a considerable amount of relief to his aching lower back and frayed psyche.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Stats Geek: Why not make Pirates' lineup top heavy? — By Brian O'Neill, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — Adam LaRoche is no superstar, but the fanfare for his arrival is deserved. LaRoche is the prototypical Lefty McThump the slugging-deprived Pirates needed, and you can pencil him in for 25 to 30 home runs for the next few years.
Replacement Level Yankees Weblog:
Alex Rodriguez and His Clutchness (or Lack Thereof) — For as long as Alex Rodriguez has been and will be a Yankee, the question about his "clutchness" or lack thereof has been coming up and will likely keep coming up. Thanks to the great book Baseball Hacks, and the wonderful organization Retrosheet.org …
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Young players add value — Tigers reporter Jason Beck answers fans' questions — You frequently have to respond to the e-mailers' unrealistic expected returns in trade offers for some of the younger players in the organization. Is there more value in an older soon-to-be free agent …
Discussion:
TigerBlog
