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 dealin' — Betances, Yanks' 8th-round draft pick, ready to go
Discussion:
YanksBlog.com
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
A Spring-Training Invitation Remains Unanswered
A Spring-Training Invitation Remains Unanswered
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Reds give Arroyo $25 million extension — The Reds, completing their second long-term deal with a starting pitcher in three days, have signed right-hander Bronson Arroyo to a two-year, $25 million extension, FOXSports.com has learned. — The deal ensures that the Reds will have control …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Bob Klapisch / ESPN:
Young Marlins swimming in infield talent — Hanley Ramirez did a quick, visual reconnaissance of the sold-out crowd at the New York baseball writers annual dinner last week, seemingly overwhelmed by its size (1,500 people) and its passion (Jonathan Papelbon was thickly booed after being introduced).
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.
Jeff Sackmann / Beyond the Box Score:
2007 Team Preview: Milwaukee Brewers — Coming: — Jeff Suppan, Craig Counsell, Johnny Estrada, Claudio Vargas, Greg Aquino, Grant Balfour, Marino Salas, J.D. Closser. — Going: — Doug Davis, Jeff Cirillo, David Bell, Tomo Ohka, Dan Kolb, Rick Helling, Dana Eveland — The Brewers In a Nutshell:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Possible options for A-Rod in '08 — Brewers general manager Doug Melvin jokes that he's angry at soccer star David Beckham for stopping at a reported $250 million in his new contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. — FOX Bite — Videos — Hardball Report
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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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 …
Discussion:
The Biz of Baseball
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.
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
Associated Press:
Vinny Castilla retires from baseball — CAROLINA, Puerto Rico —A little more than four months after playing his last game in the major leagues, Vinny Castilla officially retired from baseball on Wednesday. — Castilla played first base in Mexico's 4-3 victory over Venezuela on the last day of the Caribbean Series.
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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?
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.
Charley Walters / TwinCities.com:
OVERHEARD — ) Randy Wittman, who replaced Dwane Casey as Timberwolves coach, has had his salary adjusted to head coach status. Wittman has two more years after this season on his Wolves contract. — ) It will be interesting to see whether the Vikings, seeking reasons for season-ticket holders to renew …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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:
Catfish Stew, Athletics Nation, Athletic Supporters, Fremont Bound, Baseball Musings and MLB Trade Rumors