Top News:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets, Randolph agree to new deal — Manager to get three-year contract with a club option for 2010 — NEW YORK — In the moments of exalt that followed the Mets' elimination of the Dodgers from the postseason in October, Willie Randolph spoke about how much he enjoyed watching his players celebrate.
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SportsWorldNY
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NY Daily News:
Willie deal is on the money — Mets reward a winner — Willie Randolph might seem like he's smiling more this season, and although he might have millions of reasons to do so, it's just the manager's winning personality coming through. — Willie Randolph reenergized the Mets. Now he's getting rewarded.
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Yanks Hope to Get a Jump in China — The Yankees are coming, the Yankees are coming. That's what the Chinese are shouting in China today because the Yankees are heading there in their latest international exploration. Vasco da Gama and Magellan had nothing on them.
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Associated Press:
Japan's baseball owners looking for ways to keep talent from leaving — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — TOKYO — Japan's baseball owners are looking for ways to reduce the talent drain to the major leagues. — Under Japanese baseball rules, a player cannot become a free agent until …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Jim Allen / yomiuri.co.jp:
SPECIAL REPORT: Talent pool left shallow by lack of leagues — The times have certainly changed since 1995, when Hideo Nomo left Japan for the majors and was branded a traitor by the baseball establishment. Although Nomo left through a loophole, movement of Japanese stars to the majors is now an accepted part of the game.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates near two-year deal with Sanchez — Team also in talks with free-agent pitcher Jeff Weaver — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates and National League batting champion Freddy Sanchez are close to agreement on a two-year contract.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Weaver could end up in Pittsburgh — While the Cardinals remain the front-runners for free-agent right-hander Jeff Weaver, another N.L. Central team would be nearly as good a fit. — The Pirates, still trying to add a veteran starter, would give Weaver, 30, the chance to reunite …
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates add concerts to thick list of promotions — Fans' response leads to some adjustments — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates' 2007 promotional schedule, released yesterday, will include five bobblehead giveaways, six fireworks nights, three SkyBlast shows and the introduction of postgame concerts.
Discussion:
MY BASEBALL BIAS
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Floyd, Cubs agree on deal — Chicago-area native thrilled to be part of Cubs' outfield — So now that the Cubs have signed Cliff Floyd—yes, finally and officially Wednesday—what do they do with him? — "We have six or seven weeks of spring training to figure that out," general manager Jim Hendry said.
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
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Brian Borawski / Hardball Times:
Business of Baseball Report — MLB Close to Deal With DirecTV Over Extra Innings — In a somewhat surprising move, MLB is close to an agreement with DirecTV that would give the satellite television company an exclusive agreement for the league's Extra Innings baseball package.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats Proceed With Caution — Sitting earlier this week at a forum at his alma mater, Washington Nationals owner Theodore Lerner likened his family's first year at the helm of the District's Major League Baseball franchise to freshman year at college, full of unexpected experiences and adjustments.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
There's a mound of candidates for bullpen — The Red Sox now have nine relievers under contract after avoiding arbitration with Brendan Donnelly, who agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million deal Tuesday. Under terms of the contract, Donnelly is to receive an additional $25,000 for 25 games finished and $25,000 for 30 games finished.
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Felix looking fit; Hargrove fired up — Hernandez set for spring after losing 20 pounds — The Mariners showed off a trimmed-down Felix Hernandez and a newly fired-up manager Mike Hargrove on Wednesday at their annual pre-spring training media get-together.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Jorge: Bernie won't retire — Bernie Williams has still not spoken out about his baseball future, but one of his closest friends and teammates said last night that the veteran outfielder has no plans to hang up his spikes just yet. — Jorge Posada, speaking before last night's Baseball …
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lohud.com
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Larry Fine / Reuters:
Yankee old timers urge A-Rod to step up — NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Yankee veterans agreed on Tuesday that the Bronx Bombers needed Alex Rodriguez to rise to the occasion in the postseason to help them return to World Series glory in 2007. — The 1977 Yankees were honored …
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Sox make Cash call for backup — Playing the role of Ken Huckaby as the Red Sox [team stats]' backup to the backup catcher this year will be Kevin Cash, who signed a Triple-A deal with Pawtucket, the Red Sox announced yesterday. — Cash, 29, received an invitation to spring training …
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Low price could mean Zambrano returns — The Mets, aware that their starting rotation is replete with questions, hope to sign one more low-cost free-agent starting pitcher, a person familiar with the situation said yesterday. Victor Zambrano, best known for being on the wrong side …
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MetsBlog.com
