Top News:
George King / New York Post:
DEREK DEFENDS ROGER — YANKEES CAPTAIN WARNS OF 'RUSH TO JUDGEMENT' — Derek Jeter wants everybody to wait until all the facts are in before declaring Roger Clemens guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs. — “It seems right now people are rushing to judgment,” Jeter said of his pal …
RELATED:
Nick Underhill / I'm Writing Sports:
Somebody Tell Schilling to Shut Up
Somebody Tell Schilling to Shut Up
Discussion:
Hot Stove New York, Deadspin, SOX1FAN, Bugs & Cranks, ShysterBall, Surviving Grady and Babes Love Baseball
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 …
RELATED:
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
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.
MLB.com:
Brewers acquire free agent Gabe Kapler — Veteran outfielder signs one-year contract — MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers today signed outfielder Gabe Kapler to a one-year contract. The announcement was made by Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin.
RELATED:
Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Kapler signs with Brewers — Former Red Sox outfielder Gabe Kapler is coming out of retirement and returning to the major leagues. — Kapler, an eight-year veteran who managed in Boston's farm system in 2007, today signed a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.
ESPN.com:
Willis signs 3-year contract extension with Tigers — Dontrelle Willis agreed Thursday to a $29 million, three-year contract with the Detroit Tigers, three weeks after he was acquired from the Florida Marlins in the biggest trade of the offseason. — “We're absolutely thrilled to accomplish …
Discussion:
Associated Press, FanHouse, Tiger Tales, FishStripes, Detroit Free Press and MLB Trade Rumors
ESPN.com:
Federal affidavit: Grimsley names Canseco, others — NEW YORK — Jose Canseco, Lenny Dykstra, Glenallen Hill and Geronimo Berroa were accused of using steroids by former major league pitcher Jason Grimsley in a federal agent's affidavit unsealed Thursday. — Grimsley also accused Chuck Knoblauch …
RELATED:
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.
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
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.
Sports Illustrated:
NL rotation rankings — D'backs, Dodgers stockpiling best arms for 2008 — Try as they might, National League teams can't bulletproof their starting rotations. — By acquiring 2007 Oakland All-Star Danny Haren and '06 Japanese Central League ERA titlist Hiroki Kuroda in the past week …
RELATED:
David Pinto / Sporting News:
Haren trade gives D-backs the bigs' best 1-2 punch
Haren trade gives D-backs the bigs' best 1-2 punch
Discussion:
Purple Row
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.
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.
RELATED:
ESPN.com:
Report: House won't subpoena MLB players — Don't expect Roger Clemens to make his first on-camera statements about accusations of his steroid use before a Congressional hearing next month. Or any other player for that matter. — None of the 86 players mentioned in the Mitchell report released …
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 …