Top News:
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
RELATED:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Helton talks are off — Choice of prospects is the deal-breaker — When the Colorado Rockies approached Theo Epstein six weeks ago about a possible deal for Todd Helton, the Red Sox general manager figured he would listen. After all, having Helton would give the Red Sox a drop-dead batting order …
Associated Press:
Bonds, Giants finally complete deal — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants completed a $15.8 million, one-year contract Monday night after the slugger spent hours at the ballpark being examined by team doctors. — A baseball official confirmed the deal …
RELATED:
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Bonds and Giants Complete a Deal Worth $15.8 Million
Bonds and Giants Complete a Deal Worth $15.8 Million
Discussion:
Mack Avenue Tigers
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.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yankees reach agreement with Chinese — The Yankees are busy today, sending out another release, this time on their agreement to develop players in China. The talks were rocky at first but went quickly once Cashman backed away from insisting the Chinese had to take A-Rod and Pavano.
RELATED:
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
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.
Baseball America:
Chris Kline's Winter Wonders — The 49th Caribbean Series begins Friday as the best clubs from Mexico, Venezuela, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico will battle it out for the 2007 title. — Puerto Rico is this year's host nation, and all games will be played at Roberto Clemente Walker Stadium …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers move Arias to outfield — Sammy Sosa expected to sign minor league deal with Rangers today — egrant@dallasnews.com — ARLINGTON - The switch is officially on. — On the first day of the Rangers' mini-camp, prospect Joaquin Arias traded in the infield dirt for the nearly frozen tundra of center field.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
Dodgers finalize one-year deal with reliever Tsao — LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers finalized a one-year contract Monday with reliever Chin-hui Tsao, the Taiwanese right-hander plagued by arm injuries throughout his brief career with the Colorado Rockies.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
Pitchers Sanchez, Johnson slowed by sore arms — Two of the five members of the Marlins' starting rotation, right-handers Josh Johnson and Anibal Sanchez, are dealing with throwing arm injuries that could put a crimp in their spring training plans. — Though the injuries aren't considered serious …