Top News:
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Helton to Red Sox is far from a done deal — Renewed talks about a trade in which the Rockies would send first baseman Todd Helton to the Boston Red Sox hit another snag Sunday as the Rockies remained firm in their demand that one of the elite prospects in the Boston system be included if a deal is made.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Is moving Helton right for the Rockies? — The Rockies must think Todd Helton is done. — Otherwise, it makes little sense for them to trade Helton at this late stage of the off-season. — If, as owner Charlie Monfort says, the Rockies are trying to win the N.L. West, how would trading Helton to the Red Sox help?
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
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 …
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.
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 …
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.
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
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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 …
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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
Jack Curry / New York Times:
3 Weeks to Pitchers and Molinas — The energetic, young children scampered along a bumpy dirt infield, chased baseballs around an outfield that was missing almost as much grass as it contained and sidestepped a leaning light tower that was a miniature Tower of Pisa.
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
