Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Orioles sign Trachsel to fill Benson's spot — The Orioles, moving quickly in response to the loss of right-hander Kris Benson, have reached agreement with free-agent right-hander Steve Trachsel on a one-year, $3.1 million contract, FOXSports.com has learned.
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ESPN:
Zambrano says he'll walk if Cubs don't sign him — Carlos Zambrano has issued an ultimatum to the Chicago Cubs — sign me now, or say goodbye when the 2007 season is over. — "Whatever happens, I don't want to know [anything] about a contract during the season.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Zambrano: 'I must go' if no deal — Says he's ready to sign, but seeks Zito money — MESA, Ariz. — After announcing at the Cubs Convention he wouldn't discuss a contract extension with the Cubs if they don't come to an agreement before Opening Day, Carlos Zambrano said Monday he's gone if he has to play out the season.
Discussion:
Deadspin, GROTA, MLB Trade Rumors, 1060west.net, 6-4-2, A New Pirates Generation, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and Hot Foot
Fox Sports:
Report: Zambrano threatens to bolt Cubs — Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Carlos Zambrano is ready to move on if the team fails to give him a big-bucks contract extension before opening day, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. — Zambrano, who is thought to be seeking …
Discussion:
Cub Town
Associated Press:
No Williams now, maybe no Mo next year — TAMPA, Florida (AP) - As the New York Yankees prepared to start spring training without Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera talked about the possibility of not being with the team a year from now. — Rivera will get $10.5 million this season …
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Rivera ready for hardball — Seeks relief with extension or new team — TAMPA - Mariano Rivera has long been the image of icy calm on the mound during pressure-packed October moments, so it's difficult to imagine the Yankee closer exhibiting frustration.
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
NY Daily News:
Show respect to one who is still a cutter above — TAMPA - This doesn't seem like a tough one. Until there is some solid evidence that age is stealing the late life from Mariano Rivera's famous cutter, he gets whatever he wants, right? — If he wants to grow tomatoes in the bullpen, the Yankees plant him a garden.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
In Rebuilding Game, Nats Lead the Braves — Many think that Stan Kasten is crazy or blowing smoke when he claims that his team is "way ahead" of the Braves franchise he rebuilt in the late '80s and transformed into a dynasty. I've been hard on the Nats president for the decision to field …
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Mark Zuckerman / Washington Times:Unanswered questions — They have spent the last four months defending …
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Lester: From patient to eager — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Maybe it's just part of the code of the so-called man-cave, which, after all, is what a baseball clubhouse really is. Or maybe it's because they're in a business where tough breaks come with the territory; the guy sitting beside …
Discussion:
Fenway Blogger
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Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:Looking good: Lester's return to Sox takes shape in Fort Myers
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
NY Daily News:
Union makes appeal — With almost no options left, the Major League Baseball Players Association filed a last-ditch request last night to keep the names of 104 steroid cheats out of the clutches of a grand jury. — The MLBPA asked a federal appeals court in San Francisco to revisit …
RELATED:
David Kravets / Associated Press:Baseball players' union asks for steroid ruling
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Gerry Callahan / Boston Herald:
Dice-K's on easy street: Sox do anything, everything for pitcher — Larry Lucchino was sitting on the floor, dressed in stocking feet and a lavender kimono, when he made the stunning announcement to the 7,627 members of the international media who gathered yesterday at Fenway Park [map].
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Mike Chiappetta / NBCSports.com:
Brewers preseason preview — Key additions, healed injuries will make Milwaukee dangerous — In the wide open world of the National League Central, the Milwaukee Brewers and their fans should have every reason to believe that their team is capable of staying in contention for the long haul.
Mark Hale / New York Post:
GREEN: I'M NOT RETIRING — Although a report said Shawn Green is considering hanging up his spikes after this season, the Mets right fielder said yesterday he anticipates playing in 2008. — "There's been no decision on the future at all as far as I'm concerned," the 34-year-old Green told The Post yesterday by phone.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Molina throws curve to Wainwright, keeps memento — JUPITER, FLA. — During the celebration of the Cardinals' World Series victory, rookie pitcher Adam Wainwright bargained with catcher Yadier Molina for a title memento. — Wainwright believed they had a deal.
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Spots up for grabs as camp opens — Fifth starter, closer jobs to be decided in Spring Training — It's just about time to finally take the "off" out of the offseason. — In an annual rite anticipated by most fans, Reds pitchers and catchers will report to Spring Training at Sarasota, Fla., on Saturday.
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
