Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
Prior to pitch close to home, agrees with Padres … Mark Prior, cut loose by the Cubs earlier this month, has agreed to terms with the San Diego Padres. — An announcement is expected to come sometime Wednesday. — Prior, 27, last pitched in the big leagues in 2006, and had shoulder surgery in April of 2007.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Sources: Padres sign Prior to 1-year deal — Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005. He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX. — With Jake Peavy and Chris Young already anchoring their rotation, the Padres are apparently willing to take on a little risk.
MLB.com:
Padres agree to terms with pitcher Mark Prior — SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres announced today that they have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with right-handed pitcher Mark Prior. Executive Vice President/General Manager Kevin Towers made the announcement.
Associated Press:
Padres sign Prior to 1-year deal — Mark Prior and his hometown San Diego Padres agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract on Wednesday, making him the second postoperative pitcher to join the team in less than a month. — The deal was first reported by FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal.
ESPN.com:
Report: Clemens' attorney launches own probe — Roger Clemens' lead attorney told the New York Times that his firm is launching its own investigation into allegations the seven-time Cy Young winner used steroids and human growth hormone. — “We are convinced the conclusions in Mitchell's report …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Sliding Into Home, Scott Proctor's Arm, Oriole Post and New York Times
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Yankees Blog:
Clemens starts own investigation — Get ready for “The Clemens Report." — Roger Clemens' attorney is beginning his own investigation to prove his client did not belong in the report on steroid use in baseball issued by former Senator George Mitchell this month, which has become known as the Mitchell Report.
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Clemens Will Talk to Reporters — The lead attorney for Roger Clemens said Tuesday night that he and other attorneys working for his firm have begun their own investigation into allegations that link Clemens to the use of steroids and human growth hormone. — In addition, Rusty Hardin …
Murray Chass / New York Times:
$23.88 Million Tax? That's Life, Not Luxury, for Yankees — The problem with doing business on the Yankees' lofty economic level is the cost of doing business. — This past season, the Yankees signed Roger Clemens to pitch for them for 60 percent of the season, and it cost them just under $25 million …
Discussion:
Twins Territory, The Royal Rooters, Mets Today, River Ave. Blues, MY BASEBALL BIAS, MLB Trade Rumors and Around the Majors
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Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Anderson has Hall supporter in Ripken — Orioles star lands on ballot one year after legend is inducted — BALTIMORE — Perhaps it's fitting that Brady Anderson goes on the Hall of Fame ballot one year after one of his closest friends, Cal Ripken Jr., achieved baseball's greatest honor.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets' hopes dashed in one fell swoop — Year with so much promise comes to an unceremonious end — NEW YORK — Perhaps hindsight isn't all it's cracked up to be. Not 20-20 certainly, maybe it's 27-27. When the Mets looked back at the All-Star break, that's what they saw.
Discussion:
It's Mets For Me
ESPN:
Debate: Is Mark McGwire a Hall of Famer? … The deadline for baseball's Hall of Fame voters to submit their 2008 ballots is Dec. 31, and once again they must consider the candidacy of Mark McGwire. In his first year of eligibility a year ago, Big Mac garnered only 23.5 percent of the vote …
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
A Detailed Look: Drug Suspensions in MLB's Testing Era — It's been a mind-numbing experience... Since the Mitchell Report was released (and really, before that), I decided it might be interesting to look at all suspensions that have been doled out in what I am deeming to be the “Testing Era” …
Ben K. / River Ave. Blues:
Can Mike Mussina be league-average? — While the 2007 Yankees made the playoffs with a half-season contributions from plenty of key pieces, a lot of fans seem to doubt their 2008 prospects. True, they will be relying on a bunch of rookies, but they got them to the playoffs in 2007.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Rich Lederer / Baseball Analysts:
Q&A: Tracy Ringolsby on the BBWAA — Tracy Ringolsby has been a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America since 1976. He has covered the Colorado Rockies for the Rocky Mountain News for more than 15 years. Ringolsby had previously worked for the Long Beach Independent …
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins pick up ex-Pirate Castillo — The Marlins on Monday agreed to terms with infielder Jose Castillo on a one-year deal. — Castillo, who the Pirates released earlier this month, will be an option at third base. — Three months shy of his 27th birthday, Castillo has a .256 career average …
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