Top News:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
A trade with possibilities — Helton would be intriguing acquisition — Maybe his home run production has diminished. Maybe he's amassed impressive numbers in a great hitter's park, Coors Field. But I must admit, I am utterly fascinated by the prospect of Todd Helton in the Red Sox lineup.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
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 …
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
Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:
Red Sox Exploring Helton Deal — The contract for J.D. Drew finally done, the Red Sox are working on another deal that had its roots at December's winter meetings. — Rockies CEO Charlie Monfort confirmed a report in The Denver Post that the Red Sox and Colorado Rockies are in discussions …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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.
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.
Chris Jenkins / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Hot prospect at hot corner — Padres hope Kouzmanoff will be a hit right off the bat like he was for Indians — One pitch into his major league career, Kevin Kouzmanoff already had done as much as a man can possibly do with a swing of the bat. One very dizzying, mind-numbing, discombobulating swing of the bat.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
RELATED:
Chris Jenkins / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Parallels to the past — Barfield's trade to Cleveland brings back memories of Alomar deal — Were it any team involved except the Padres, and if he played any other position but second base, it probably would've been just another case of a younger guy turning over his number to a veteran with more seniority.
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 …
RELATED:
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Bernie torn on future — Bernie Williams is all too aware that the Yankees seem to be close to closing the door on his career in pinstripes, and he said he's not taking it personally. But as he spoke about his baseball future last night, he said nothing definitively to answer the question of whether he is ready to call it a career.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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
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 …
RELATED:
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 …
