Top News:
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Yanks' Hank keeping door open for Johan Santana — In case you thought the Yankees' dalliance with the Twins over ace lefthander Johan Santana had ended, think again. — “There's still an outside chance that we get him,” Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said by phone Wednesday afternoon.
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La Velle / Twins Insider:
Thursday: Answering some questions — There's a good chance I may be unable to post until late today (if at all), so I'll tee up a few things for you now, based on some responses I've read here. — Who's really interested in Santana?: The way it was laid out to me, there are several teams interested …
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Former Brewers outfielder Jenkins agrees with Phils … The Philadelphia Phillies and free agent outfielder Geoff Jenkins have reached preliminary agreement on a two-year deal believed to be worth about $13 million, a baseball source told ESPN.com. — The agreement includes …
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Lance Allan / Today's TMJ4:
Jenkins To The Phillies — Former Brewer Expected To Land In Philly
Jenkins To The Phillies — Former Brewer Expected To Land In Philly
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres to retain Barrett — DaVanon, Fick also agree to minor league contracts — The Padres yesterday reached agreement with backup catcher Michael Barrett on a one-year contract and agreed to terms on minor league contracts with two players with San Diego connections.
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: Tigers, Willis agree on 3-year extension … Pitcher Dontrelle Willis has reached an agreement in principle on a three-year, $29 million contract extension with the Detroit Tigers, a source told ESPN.com. — The deal includes incentives that could push the total value to more than $30 million, the source said.
Discussion:
FanHouse, FishStripes, Tiger Tales, Detroit Free Press, MLB Trade Rumors and Mack Avenue Tigers
George King / New York Post:
METS IN LEAD FOR LOHSE? — The Mets' primary competition for free-agent pitcher Kyle Lohse has dropped out of the bidding. — According to Phillies assistant GM Ruben Amaro, Philadelphia's refusal to go beyond three years for the right-hander ended their pursuit of Lohse, who finished last season in Philly.
ESPN.com:
Papelbon's dog reportedly eats World Series ball — The baseball from the final out of the 2007 World Series is at Jonathan Papelbon's home in Hattiesburg, Md., according to the Hattiesburg American. — Well, part of it is. — The rest? You should ask the Boss. — If he could talk, he might say it was delicious.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Schilling calls out Clemens in blog — Writes if Rocket is guilty of using steroids, take away Cys — BOSTON — Curt Schilling put his fingers to the keyboard on Wednesday, pounding out a 3,676-word blog entry in which he essentially challenged Roger Clemens to fight for his innocence …
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John Thorn / The Biz of Baseball:
Our Champions — John Thorn is a contributing writer for The Business of Sports Network
Our Champions — John Thorn is a contributing writer for The Business of Sports Network
Discussion:
Knuckle Curve
Nick Underhill / I'm Writing Sports:
Somebody Tell Schilling to Shut Up
Somebody Tell Schilling to Shut Up
Discussion:
Hot Stove New York, SOX1FAN, ShysterBall, Surviving Grady, Steroid Nation, Bugs & Cranks and Babes Love Baseball
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs are not done remodeling — Orioles' Roberts still on team's radar — The Cubs still would “like to do a few more things” trade-wise, according to general manager Jim Hendry, and Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts has not been scratched off the trade list just because he was named in the Mitchell report.
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Sabernomics:
My Solution to Rid MLB of HGH: Legalize It — Over the past year, I have written several blog posts about the lack of performance-enhancing properties of human growth hormone. I have not participated in any research on the subject, nor am I even remotely qualified to conduct such studies.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Like Lofton — ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that the Brewers have their eye on free agent center fielder Kenny Lofton. Such a signing would allow them to shift Bill Hall to third base and Ryan Braun to left field. How much of a defensive gain would they get from this?
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers could be in for a power outage — Fans who have become accustomed to seeing the fireworks that accompany a Texas home run at Rangers Ballpark could be in for a rude awakening in 2008. — The pop could be hard to come by. — Texas, which finished fourth in the American League in homers in 2007 …
Dan Fox / Baseball Prospectus:
The Issue of the Day, and Ranging into the Outfield — “Athletes who are chemically propelled to victory do not merely overvalue winning, they misunderstand why winning is properly valued." — From the day in February when pitchers and catchers reported, all the way through the release …
Discussion:
Dan Agonistes
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
What's the (non-)deal on Cabrera? — Times Staff Writer Mike DiGiovanna answers readers' questions about the team's search for a power-hitting third baseman. — Question: I am still at a complete loss over the Miguel Cabrera trade fiasco. From what I read everywhere …
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Source: Silva, Mariners agree to deal — The Mariners and free agent right-hander Carlos Silva have reached agreement on a multiyear contract, according to an American League source, and the deal could be finalized as early as Thursday, pending the outcome of a physical.
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