Top News:
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Jeter mood swing — Looks to forget past with jump on spring — TAMPA - Even on a European vacation last fall, Derek Jeter couldn't get away from the Yankees' postseason loss to Detroit. — A few days after the upstart Tigers put away the Yanks, cementing another disappointing October in the Bronx …
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Ian Begley / NY Daily News:
Dellin dealin' — Betances, Yanks' 8th-round draft pick, ready to go — Dellin Betances — Yankee rookie Dellin Betances showed up early for work, arriving at the Yankees' training complex in Tampa last Monday, a month before most minor-leaguers are scheduled to appear for spring training.
Discussion:
YanksBlog.com
ESPN:
Source: A's agree to 1-year deal with Stewart — The Oakland Athletics have reached an agreement with free agent outfielder Shannon Stewart for a one-year deal that could be worth as much as $2.5 million with incentives, pending a physical, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney has learned.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, Catfish Stew, Athletic Supporters, Fremont Bound, MLB Trade Rumors and Baseball Musings
The Smoking Gun:
Harold Reynolds's Big Hit — Fired announcer's $5 million contract surfaces in ESPN lawsuit — While not much has been happening with Harold Reynolds's breach of contract lawsuit against ESPN, the announcer's lawyer has just filed an amended complaint that includes a copy of the former baseball star's contract.
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Craig / FishStripes:
Odds to Win the 2007 World Series — Bodog Sportsbook took their best shot in December as to which team will win the 2007 World Series. But now that the off-season has settled down and pitchers and catchers are due to report in about nine days, they have revised the odds and in a sense are ranking each team's off-season performance.
Screech's Best Friend / Nats320:
Vinny Castilla Retires — He had a TERRIFIC FIRST NIGHT. THE VERY FIRST OFFICIAL MAJOR LEAGUE GAME IN WASHINGTON, DC—In over 34 years. The Date was April 14, 2005. RFK Stadium the site. Arizona Diamonbacks, the opponet. Vinny Castilla's home run that night off Javier Vasquez began …
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Newsday:
Wallace Matthews — Business will get personal — On the slick, computer-generated renditions of Citi Field, the road bordering the rightfield concourse looks as beautiful as the Champs-Élysées. — It is wide and freshly paved and tree-lined, and on the side across …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Contra Costa Times:
Beane's still on board with A's — Billy Beane is checking in from his office without walls. He has a message for A's fans. Like it or not, you're stuck with him. — "I'm in it for the long haul," Beane said Wednesday. "I knew what I wanted to do from the first time I set foot on a diamond as a player.
Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
The Best Pitchers of All Time — I've spent the last three weeks listing and discussing the best major league everyday players since 1900 using a special version of Bill James' Win Shares called Win Shares Above Bench. Today, I'm going to talk about the best pitchers since 1900.
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
DINNER WITH DUBYA — WRIGHT: PRESIDENTIAL PERK 'TOPS THEM ALL' — DAVID Wright knows he is living the dream, but nothing off the field can compare with this past Monday night when Wright was quietly invited to the White House to have dinner with President Bush.
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
USA Today:
At 37, Juan Gonzalez is still searching for one more shot at the major leagues — CAROLINA, Puerto Rico — In his heyday he was known as Juan Gone, a fearsome slugger who could make baseballs disappear and runners score with uncommon frequency. Now for stateside fans the play on Juan Gonzalez's name is more like: Where has Juan Gone?
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Professional Gains, Personal Addition — Brian Schneider has a list of concerns as he prepares to head north from his home in West Palm Beach, Fla., to Viera, where spring training begins next week. The Washington Nationals catcher wants to have a more consistent offensive season …
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates, Castillo avoid arbitration — Opening-day payroll projects to $43 million — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates avoided any arbitration hearings this offseason by agreeing last night to a one-year contract with second baseman Jose Castillo.
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Rays seem ready to dump Devil … TAMPA - When the Devil Rays unveil new logos, colors and uniforms for the 2008 season, they likely still will be known by their old name. — Or at least their old last name. — After considering a complete change of identity to mark the end of their first decade …
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
White Sox shortstop Uribe delayed for spring training … Chicago White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe will be in a Dominican court Feb. 21, the same day his teammates will arrive in Arizona for spring training. — On Wednesday, the court set a hearing for that date for the defense team's …
Discussion:
Black Sox Blog
Michael Morrissey / New York Post:
A-ROD TROUBLES ARE OPEN BOOK — WON'T SAY IF HE'LL OPT OUT OF DEAL — What A-Mess. Call it Alex in Blunderland. — Alex Rodriguez's appearance at a signing for his children's book was mishandled by his publicist and bookstore staff members, turning the ballyhooed event into a media circus …
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