Top News:
ESPN:
Source says information on Clemens will be in Mitchell's report — Clemens May Be Named in Mitchell Report — A former New York Yankee strength trainer says information he supplied to the George Mitchell investigation regarding supplying Roger Clemens with steroids is included …
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Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Baseball holds its breath for The List to be released — The reactions will range from shock to anger, to threats and counter-threats. Then again, maybe George Mitchell's 20-month steroids investigation will be stopped dead cold by a wall of cynicism. Already there are enough detractors …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, NY Daily News, MLB Trade Rumors, Hot Stove New York, Hot Foot and Replacement Level …
ESPN:
Sources: Players, owners to share blame in Mitchell report … Major League Baseball and the Players Association share the blame for tolerating a widespread culture of drug abuse, George Mitchell's report on doping in baseball says, according to two lawyers who said they are familiar with the report.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Let's Go Tribe!, The Good Phight, The Big Lead, EPIC CARNIVAL, River Ave. Blues, The Hot Corner and Wrigleyville23
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Sox players aren't safe — Mitchell report to create firestorm … By the end of today, one or more Red Sox [team stats] players could have asterisks next to their names. — More than 60 baseball players, quite possibly including current or past Red Sox, will be named this afternoon …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, MLB.com, Boston Sports Media Watch, New York Post, SOX & Dawgs, Fox Sports, Red Sox Monster and Boston Globe
New York Times:
Baseball Braces for Steroid Report From Mitchell — George J. Mitchell's report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, to be unveiled Thursday afternoon, will be highly critical of the commissioner's office and the players' union for tolerating the presence of drugs throughout years of abuse …
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Washington Post, GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, Can't Stop The Bleeding and Mets Refugees
MLB.com:
Search for Search Tips — Contact Us - Official Info - Advertising - Affiliates - Job Opportunities - MLB Tickets — The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties …
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MetsBlog.com, FishStripes, Amazin' Avenue, SBG Nation Presents …, The Sommer Frieze, 6-4-2, Lone Star Ball and Hot Foot
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs part ways with Prior — A Cubs career than began with a bang ended with a whimper Wednesday night for one-time ace Mark Prior. — Two hours before the 11 p.m. deadline to offer arbitration to eligible players, general manager Jim Hendry non-tendered Prior, allowing him to leave via free agency at age 27.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs non-tender Prior — CHICAGO — The Cubs and Mark Prior have parted ways. — The Cubs opted to not tender a contract to the right-handed pitcher by Wednesday's 11 p.m. CT deadline, and he is now a free agent. — The Cubs would've preferred to non-tender Prior and re-sign him for less …
Associated Press:
Mets sever ties with recently acquired Estrada — NEW YORK — Johnny Estrada never caught on with the New York Mets. — Acquired last month in a trade with Milwaukee, Estrada was let go Wednesday when the Mets declined to offer him a contract for next season.
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:New stadium could lure Andy Pettitte back for 2009 season
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Williams adapting to tough offseason — Sox GM three-quarters of the way to achieving club's aims — CHICAGO — White Sox fans look at the offseason moves put forth by their beloved organization, coming on the heels of last year's disappointing 72-90 season, and the word frustration occupies much of the analysis.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Vizcaino close with Rockies, Pirates — LIKE THIS STORY? — Free-agent reliever Luis Vizcaino is close to signing with either the Pirates or Rockies, according to major-league sources. — Vizcaino, 33, is expected to receive a multi-year deal after rejecting a one-year contract through salary arbitration with the Yankees.
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Geoff Baker / Mariners Blog:
Ben Broussard traded to Texas — The Mariners shipped Ben Broussard off to the Texas Rangers within the past hour, receiving minor league infielder Tug Hulett in return. Hulett spent last season in Class AAA at age 24, playing second base as his primary position despite also seeing action at third base as a minor leaguer.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Jays close to deal with shortstop Eckstein — LIKE THIS STORY? — The Blue Jays have been mostly quiet this off-season, waiting for the right player to become available at a reasonable price. — That player finally has emerged — free-agent shortstop David Eckstein.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats sign three, non-tender two — Cordero, Rauch and Redding among those arbitration eligible — WASHINGTON — The Nationals agreed to terms on 2008 contracts with right-handers Luis Ayala, John Patterson and Ryan Wagner on Wednesday, thus avoiding salary arbitration …
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins will look for new starting catcher — Olivo only Florida player to not be tendered a contract — MIAMI — As expected, the Marlins will be turning the page when it comes to finding their starting catcher. — On Wednesday night, the club bid farewell to Miguel Olivo …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Charles Elmore / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins' stadium plan gets new life — The Marlins and Miami political leaders have launched a pre-holiday scramble to firm up a $525 million plan to open a baseball stadium at the site of the Orange Bowl by 2011, but team officials stopped short of saying they have signed on to a deal.
Discussion:
FishStripes
