Top News:
MLB.com:
Chicago native Cliff Floyd agrees to one-year deal with Cubs — The Chicago Cubs today announced that the club has agreed to terms with outfielder and first baseman Cliff Floyd on a one-year deal with a mutual option for the 2008 season. — Floyd, 34, owns a .279 career batting average …
Discussion:
LoneStar Mets, Tales Of A Transplanted …, Babes That Love Baseball, CubsNet.com and MLB Rumors
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Chicago native Floyd signs with Cubs — One-year, $3 million deal adds lefty bat, improves depth — CHICAGO — Cliff Floyd can't wait to enjoy his mother's home cooking on a regular basis. — The Cubs completed their free agent acquisitions Wednesday, signing Floyd to a one-year …
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Floyd, Cubs agree on deal — The Cubs, finally, made it official Wednesday when they signed Chicago area native Cliff Floyd to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2008. — With the signing of the 34-year-old, the Cubs have set up an interesting outfield scenario.
Associated Press:
Floyd agrees to $3 million, 1-year contract with Cubs — CHICAGO (AP) — Cliff Floyd is coming home and hoping to be injury free after agreeing Wednesday to a $3 million, one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. — Floyd, a Chicago native, could split time in left field with Matt Murton …
Associated Press:
Source: Randolph, Mets agree on terms of new deal — NEW YORK — The New York Mets and manager Willie Randolph agreed in principle Wednesday on a new three-year contract that runs through 2009. — The deal is scheduled to be announced Thursday, a baseball executive familiar with the negotiations said …
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Corey Kilgannon / New York Times:
Starstruck Mets Fan Fined for Impersonating Reporter — The twin passions in the life of Ryan Leli intersected last August when the San Diego Padres came to Shea Stadium to play the New York Mets. — Mr. Leli, 18, had worshiped the Mets since age 3 and was a huge fan of Mike Piazza …
Discussion:
It's Mets For Me, Yankees 2000, Can't Stop The Bleeding, William F. Yurasko and Knuckle Curve
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ESPN:
Fan fined $1,000, ordered away from Shea Stadium — A Mets fan who impersonated a reporter last season was fined $1,000 on Tuesday and ordered to stay away from Mets home games for the next three years. — Ryan Leli, 18, was also ordered to stay away from Brooklyn Cyclones games …
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:
This old park — Fenway capacity expands after offseason upgrades — BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox will be able to squeeze several hundred more fans into Fenway Park for each game this season thanks to another winter of improvements that allow the team to increase the ballpark's legal capacity.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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 …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Around the Horn: Outfielders — Four contenders will vie for starting position in left field … In 2006, the Nationals' starting outfield on Opening Day against the Mets consisted of Alfonso Soriano in left, Brandon Watson in center and Jose Guillen in right.
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Ashby named new color commentator — Former Blue Jays catcher joins FAN 590 for full season of work — TORONTO — The Blue Jays' offseason additions haven't been limited to the team's roster. On Wednesday, The FAN Radio Network announced a change inside the Toronto's radio booth.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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Associated Press:
Frank Robinson to work for ESPN … BRISTOL, CONN. // Former Washington Nationals manager and Orioles legend Frank Robinson will be a special analyst for ESPN as it celebrates the 60th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's breaking of baseball's color barrier. — Frank Robinson …
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Erstad will take chances with White Sox — Angels offered only a minor league contract to one of their last links to 2002 World Series title. — The Angels lost another link to their 2002 World Series team and a big chunk of their heart and soul Tuesday when Darin Erstad agreed to terms …
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Bob Klapisch / ESPN:
NL West is baseball's glamor division — The eternal debate over who's hot and who's not is driven by an even more maddening question: What, exactly, is the definition of hot? — In identifying baseball's hottest division, do we mean the trendiest (most attractive to free agents) …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Michael Morrissey / New York Post:
BERN-ING TO RETURN — JORGE: WILLIAMS WANTS 1 MORE YEAR — Jorge Posada has talked to Bernie Williams frequently this winter, and says the longtime Yankee outfielder has no plans to retire. — "He's not even talking about that yet," Posada said at last night's Baseball Assistance Team dinner in Manhattan.
