Top News:
Associated Press:
Bonds gives Giants right to terminate deal — NEW YORK — Barry Bonds gave the San Francisco Giants the right to terminate his $15.8 million, one-year contract if he is indicted. — The unusual provision, included in the deal that was completed Monday night, protects the team in case Bonds …
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Jimmy Golen / Associated Press:
Drew contract gives Red Sox some outs — BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox would be able to void the final two years of J.D. Drew's contract if he spends 35 days on the disabled list in 2009 with a specified injury. — The team could also get out of the deal if Drew finishes the '09 season …
Discussion:
The Griddle
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Schilling will pitch in '08 — Righty revises retirement plans — Curt Schilling never meant to mislead anyone about his retirement plans; it's just that his most private conversations with his wife and children led him to a different future. — "We'd been talking about it for a while," said Schilling last night.
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
Associated Press:
Sosa signs, says he won't let Rangers down — ARLINGTON, Texas — Sammy Sosa is back in baseball — and back to fielding the same steroids questions that dogged him when he left the game more than a year ago. — Sosa and the Texas Rangers agreed to a minor league contract Tuesday …
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Greatest hits, in the palm of your hand … It's hard to say exactly which moment it was that we realized the iPod had taken over our entire civilization. But it might have been this one: — The day we first heard, last summer, that baseball players were using their iPods …
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Wilson: Criticism of Castillo intended as challenge — Shortstop says teammate's talent could elevate Pirates — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — Jack Wilson was taking none of it back. — The Pirates' outspoken shortstop stood by every syllable of the critical comments …
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Associated Press:
Cabrera to skip Caribbean World Series — NEW YORK — Yankees outfielder Melky Cabrera will skip the Caribbean World Series at the team's request so he can rest up for next season. — Cabrera played the last part of the winter league season in the Dominican Republic and participated in the playoffs …
Deann Smith / Kansas City Star:
County cries foul at Royals' new pitch — The team wants to use public funds to purchase a $900,000 high-tech video coaching system. — When St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols just misses launching a home run, he can dash into his clubhouse and scrutinize his at-bat before the next batter digs in.
Blez / Athletics Nation:
Billy Beane AN Interview January 07 Edition Part II — Yesterday was part one of my exclusive chat with Billy Beane. Today is part two as we get deeper into looking at 2007 and the dreaded "i" word. — Enjoy. … Beane: You could ask that question every spring of us, so it's not unique.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Training site in Dominican to be top rate — John Moores admits to being "pretty disappointed" three years ago when he toured the Padres' training facility in the Dominican Republic. — "I wouldn't eat a meal there," the team's owner said last week. — And it wasn't just the facility that disappointed Moores.
Associated Press:
Jays sign Zambrano to minor league deal — TORONTO (CP) - The Toronto Blue Jays signed pitcher Victor Zambrano to a minor-league deal Tuesday with an eye toward what the right-hander might offer them later in the 2007 season. The 31-year-old is still building his arm back up after surgery …
Chris Constancio / Hardball Times:
Best Young Catchers of 2007 — Welcome to a new feature here at The Hardball Times. Over the next two months, I will contribute a position-by-position prospect list. These will differ from traditional lists in two ways. First, anyone under 25 is eligible.
Discussion:
Purple Row
NY Daily News:
Murcer full of cheer — Feeling 'great' as Pettitte visits — Bobby Murcer welcomed a familiar friend yesterday, receiving a visit from Andy Pettitte in Houston. Murcer is beginning his third week of chemotherapy and radiation to fight brain cancer at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
