Top News:
Denver Post:
Helton seeks quick deal — Rockies first baseman Todd Helton said Saturday he would consider approving a trade to the Boston Red Sox, but wants a quick resolution to avoid a stream of distractions. — Helton was asked Saturday night whether he has provided the Rockies a deadline or …
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Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Farrell's hands full — More than anything else, remember, spring training is about the pitchers. And like Dave Wallace before him, new Red Sox [team stats] pitching coach John Farrell has spent the better part of the winter familiarizing himself with the men who will make up his staff.
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Rockies talking to Red Sox about trading Helton … The Colorado Rockies are in high-level talks to trade first baseman Todd Helton to the Boston Red Sox in a deal that could send third baseman Mike Lowell and right-handed reliever Julian Tavarez to Colorado.
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Helton trade talk catches Sox' ears — As if the Red Sox [team stats]' offseason has not been enough of a soap opera with the trans-global pursuit of Daisuke Matsuzaka, another non-trade of Manny Ramirez [stats] and the lawyering of J.D. Drew [stats]'s contract, a new attraction popped up yesterday …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
Red Sox closing in on deal for Helton — It appears the Red Sox's offseason payroll splurge may not be not done yet, as Colorado sources yesterday told the Daily News that the Rockies are actively engaged in a deal that would send their high-priced first base slugger Todd Helton to Fenway.
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Williams puts scouting staff on notice — It wasn't the first time White Sox senior director of player personnel Duane Shaffer has had tire tracks across his back, but this time it was general manager Ken Williams who threw Shaffer underneath the bus. — During Saturday's town hall-style meeting …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Williams: Sox scouts short on merit badges — The White Sox's amateur scouting department's failure to draft and sign an impact player in the last 10 years is under the general manager's microscope. — "We have to do a better job of scouting," Ken Williams told fans Saturday at a question-and-answer session at SoxFest.
Associated Press:
Ex-Mets GM Devine dies at 90 — ST. LOUIS - Bing Devine, who helped lay the groundwork for the Mets' 1969 World Series victory, died yesterday, He was 90. — Devine, who was the assistant to team president George Weiss in 1965-66 and was the team president/general manager in 1967 …
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Bob Ryan / Boston Globe:
No excuse, no defense for these ballot balks — Help! I am consumed with guilt by association. — Yes, I am currently carrying card No. 151 in the Baseball Writers Association of America. Yes, I voted in the most recent Hall of Fame election. And, yes, I am deeply ashamed because …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Kansas City Star:
The Royals caravan runs on fans' hope — This is the third year of the Royals caravan column, which means by baseball standards this thing is now a full-fledged tradition. Three years is a long time with the Royals. Heck, Tony Peña didn't last three years.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Jason Williams / TwinCities.com:
A BUSY JOE — Joe Mauer isn't a big thing only in St. Paul anymore. The home-grown star talks about his rising fame and his game. — The hometown hero was undecided late Saturday afternoon about whether he would attend that night's concert at Xcel Energy Center.
NY Daily News:
Spring forward — Willie gets early start as Bernie ponders the end — With pitchers and catchers barely two weeks away, some thoughts and observations on Willie Randolph, who will be arriving early to spring training to begin sorting out his pitching, and Bernie Williams, who, it appears, may not be arriving at all.
NY Daily News:
Joe, Alex on hot seat — Joe Torre may be entering his last season as Yankee manager. Unless his team wins again, and that means win more than the American League East. If the Yankees do win the World Series again, it is hard to see him going anywhere. He will have finally won that fifth Series.
