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Curt Schilling / 38 Pitches:
One players take on the Mitchell Report, Canseco, Clemens, records, looking back or going forward.... Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco, Roger Clemens, Andy Petite, Todd Pratt, Gary Bennett, Paul Byrd, Dave Justice, Fernando Vina, Alex Cabrera, Brian Roberts, Lenny Dykstra, and many more.
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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 …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
John Thorn / The Biz of Baseball:
Our Champions — John Thorn is a contributing writer for The Business of Sports Network — It is now one week since the release of the Mitchell Report, culminating a 20-month, $20 million investigation (into secondary sources, largely ... how on earth was so much spent?) …
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Baseball Musings, The700Level.com, Phillies Nation and The Transaction Guy
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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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Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Barrett, Padres agree to one-year deal — Two sides avoid arbitration with $3.5 million contract — SAN DIEGO — Catcher Michael Barrett agreed to a one-year contract on Wednesday with the Padres worth $3.5 million to avoid going to arbitration. — Barrett, who on Dec. 7 accepted …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
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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John Hickey / seattlepi.com Mariners blog:
Silva signing could be announced by Thursday
Silva signing could be announced by Thursday
Discussion:
Caffeinated Confines
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.
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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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Lefty Mahay, Royals reach two-year deal — LIKE THIS STORY? — The Kansas City Royals, fortifying their bullpen, have reached preliminary agreement with free-agent left-hander Ron Mahay on a two-year, $8 million contract, according to major-league sources.
Discussion:
Talking Chop, Royals Review, Associated Press, YanksBlog.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Mets Fever and ESPN
George King / New York Post:
A-ROD CRONY BOLTS FOR LA — Alex Rodriguez will try to duplicate his scintillating 2007 season without a key member of a very small inner circle. — Mike Borzello, a bullpen catcher for the past 12 seasons and Joe Torre's godson, has left the Yankees and taken a job with the Dodgers as a catching instructor.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
David Pinto / Sporting News:
Haren trade gives D-backs the bigs' best 1-2 punch — The Arizona Diamondbacks pulled off the second big trade of the Hot Stove League. Like the Detroit Tigers, the Diamondbacks swapped out six good prospects to obtain a young player of great talent. In this case, Arizona brought in pitcher Dan Haren.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates fall short in bidding for free agent Durbin — The Pirates keep coming up second. — Their bid for free-agent starter Chad Durbin, formerly of the Detroit Tigers, was turned down in favor of one made by the Philadelphia Phillies, a source disclosed today. The Pirates and Phillies were the two finalists.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, Pittsburgh Lumber Co., The Good Phight, MLB Trade Rumors and Phillies Nation
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Lopez looks to bounce back — Off-the-field issues plagued infielder's production last season — WASHINGTON — Infielder Felipe Lopez understands why the Nationals have been looking for a leadoff hitter this offseason. In 2007, the team's leadoff hitters hit a combined .243 with a .308 on-base percentage.