Top News:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Sign Reliever Wise — Although their primary off-season goal of acquiring a front-line starter remains unfulfilled, the Mets are trying to offset those troubles by bolstering their bullpen. On Tuesday, they signed Matt Wise, a right-handed reliever who pitched last season for the Milwaukee Brewers, to a one-year contract.
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
RELATED:
Steve Popper / Amazin' Stories:
Mets land pitcher — No, not Johan Santana (I never get tired of that one). Not Erik Bedard (okay, enough of those jokes). — The Mets signed a reliever, likely the final arm for the bullpen - or maybe one for New Orleans if Rule 5 Draft selection Steven Register sticks. Here's the Mets release on it:
MLB.com:
Mets sign RHP Matt Wise — The New York Mets today signed free agent righthanded pitcher Matt Wise to a one-year contract. — Wise, 32, went 3-2 with one save and a 4.19 ERA in a career-high 56 games last year for Milwaukee. In 53.2 innings, the 6-4, 200-pounder allowed 61 hits, 30 runs, 25 earned, with 17 walks and 43 strikeouts.
Associated Press:
Mets sign ex-Brewers pitcher Wise to 1-year deal — NEW YORK — The Mets bolstered their bullpen Tuesday, agreeing with right-hander Matt Wise on a $1.2 million, one-year contract. — Wise was 3-2 with a 4.19 ERA and one save in a career-high 56 appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers this season.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Padres would be logical choice for Prior — LIKE THIS STORY? — Logic dictates that the Padres are Mark Prior's first choice. Not only is he from San Diego, but he also might thrive by staying in the National League and pitching at spacious Petco Park.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Sports Illustrated:
Rose on Mitchell Report: Steroids users “making a mockery” of baseball — NEW YORK (AP) -Pete Rose thinks players who use steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs are “making a mockery” of baseball. — The career hits leader, banned by the sport for gambling, weighed in on the Mitchell Report …
Steve Kettmann / New York Times:
‘Juiced’ Ghostwriter: I Told You So — Whatever else its eventual impact, the Mitchell report last week immediately recasts the importance of the small library of books documenting — and in some cases, shaping — baseball's steroid era. — In fact, given its timing and high profile …
Discussion:
Dan Shanoff
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins inching closer toward stadium — County commission votes to allocate $50 million to project — MIAMI — They haven't yet crossed home plate, but the Marlins' push to secure the final pieces of stadium funding moved firmly into scoring position on Tuesday as a result of two votes …
Discussion:
FishStripes
emedia.thetimes-tribune.com:
Plans for Miranda and expecations for relievers — Caught up with farm director Mark Newman this afternoon. We didn't talk long and we didn't talk about anything earth shattering, but it's interesting stuff just the same. Among the topics: The first base situation in Triple-A …
Associated Press:
Yankees secretary guilty of tax fraud, fired — NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — New York Yankees traveling secretary David Szen pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to filing a false tax return and admitted he failed to report more than $50,000 in tips from players and coaches.
Mitchel Lichtman / Hardball Times:
Does reliever over-use lead to poor subsequent performance? — In a Nov. 30 article in the Philadelphia Daily News by Paul Hagen, Braves senior advisor and former big-league manager Jim Fregosi had this to say about relievers who have a good year followed by a bad year or vice versa:
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals sign infielder Jimenez — Hoping to discover quality among quantity, the Cardinals agreed to terms with former Cincinnati Reds starting shortstop D'Angelo Jimenez on a minor-league contract Tuesday. — Jimenez, who turns 30 on Friday, becomes another candidate in the Cardinals' search …
Discussion:
Future Redbirds
RELATED:
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Teixeira undergoes left knee surgery — Braves first baseman expected to be ready for Spring Training — ATLANTA — Wanting to be at full strength as he prepares for his final audition before possibly hitting the free-agent market, Mark Teixeira opted to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery.
Discussion:
Chop-n-Change
Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs hire former Pirates GM Littlefield — The Cubs hired former Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield as a scout reporting to general manager Jim Hendry. — “We are extraordinarily pleased to add someone of Dave Littlefield's caliber to bolster our baseball operations efforts with the Cubs,” Hendry said.
