Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Ohka moving to AL with Blue Jays … Free agent pitcher Tomo Ohka reached preliminary agreement on a one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, his agent said Tuesday. — The agreement is conditional on Ohka passing a physical exam, which will take place later this week once arrangements …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
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 …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Blue Jays, Ohka agree on one-year deal — The Blue Jays, adding another piece to their starting rotation, have reached preliminary agreement with free-agent right-hander Tomo Ohka on a one-year contract, FOXSports.com has learned. — The size of the contract was not immediately known …
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
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
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.
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
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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
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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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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.
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 …
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!
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Broadway, Danks among spring invites — White Sox fifth starter could come from non-roster list — CHICAGO — Non-roster invitees for Spring Training usually rate no more than a cursory glance, a quick look up and down the list for familiar names trying to hook on for the 25th …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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.
