Top News:
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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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
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.
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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
MLB.com:
Athletics trade Kirk Saarloos to Reds for right-handed pitcher David Shafer — Each team also to receive a player to be named later — OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics announced today the club has acquired right-handed pitcher David Shafer and a player to be named later …
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Associated Press:
A's swap Saarloos for Shafer — CINCINNATI — The Oakland Athletics traded pitcher Kirk Saarloos to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday for minor-league reliever David Shafer. — Each team also received a player to be named. — The 27-year-old Saarloos went 7-7 with two saves and a 4.75 ERA last season for the AL West champions.
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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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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Bryan Smith / Sports Illustrated:
2007 Top prospects: Nos. 15-1 (cont.) — 8. Cameron Maybin, 20, CF, Detroit Tigers — 2006 Stats (A-): .304/.387/.457, 27 SB in 385 AB — Maybin lived up to all the hype in his first pro season. He might not be the second coming of Ken Griffey Jr., but Maybin has a generational five-tool set.
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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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Boston Globe:
Playing the field at Fenway — Friendly Fenway will be full of cameras this summer, and we're not just talking about the jam of Japanese media that'll capture every curve thrown by Daisuke Matsuzaka. The producers of "Queer Eye" are teaming with NESN to create a reality TV show called "Sox Appeal."
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Monfort: O'Dowd, Hurdle fates not linked — Rockies owner Charlie Monfort wants - at minimum - a .500 record this season. It has long been assumed that if the Rockies don't post a winning season, general manager Dan O'Dowd and manager Clint Hurdle could lose their jobs.
Discussion:
Purple Row
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 …
