Top News:
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yanks should say no thanks for Santana — By the time 2008 rolls around, the Johan Santana Rumor Mill will get cranked up again. — The latest bit of speculation is that Minnesota would accept a package of Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera and Jeff Marquez for their lefty ace. I'm sure that sounds acceptable to many fans.
Discussion:
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Don Burke / New Jersey Online:
No news is good news for Mets' pitching prospect — Despite popping up in trade rumors, Parlin's Mulvey is still a keeper — PHILADELPHIA — There was a stretch this off-season where nearly every day, Kevin Mulvey got a news update from one of his best friends. — “Hey, did you hear you got traded?'”
MLB.com:
Royals sign catcher Miguel Olivo to one-year deal with mutual option for 2009 — Kansas City, MO (Dec. 27, 2007) - The Kansas City Royals have signed catcher Miguel Olivo to a one-year contract for 2008. The Royals and Olivo each hold options for the 2009 season. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Dan McLaughlin / Hardball Times:
The path to Cooperstown: Tim Raines and the Tablesetters — In my third annual THT column on position players on the Hall of Fame ballot, I'd like to focus on one of this year's leading Hall of Fame candidates, Tim Raines, and the players that are in some sense comparable to Raines: the tablesetters.
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Rich Lederer / Baseball Analysts:
30 Rock — Four years ago yesterday, I wrote my first article on Bert Blyleven. It was designed to raise the awareness of Blyleven's qualifications for the Hall of Fame. I have added about 20 pieces since then, including more statistical evidence, interviews with Blyleven and voters, and responses to naysayers.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Mattingly's place on ballot deserved — Yankees legend enters eighth year of Hall of Fame candidacy — NEW YORK — For 14 seasons, Don Mattingly was the face of the New York Yankees. Unfortunately for the first baseman, those years didn't result in any World Series championships, leaving the captain with a big hole on his resume.
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New York Times:
Clemens's Legal Team Adds Private Investigators — Roger Clemens's lawyer has hired private investigators to try to challenge the credibility of Brian McNamee, the trainer who told federal agents and former Senator George J. Mitchell that he had injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone …
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ESPN.com:
Report: Clemens' lawyer to put P.I.'s on case — Roger Clemens' lawyer has hired private investigators in an attempt to challenge the credibility of Brian McNamee, who has claimed to have injected Clemens with steroids, a lawyer familiar with the matter told The New York Times.
ESPN:
Debate: Is Goose Gossage a Hall of Famer? — Last year Rich “Goose” Gossage fell a mere 21 votes short of election to the Hall of Fame. Now in his ninth year on the ballot, Gossage is considered the candidate most likely to be enshrined in 2008. — Will the former relief pitcher finally close …
Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Prior to pitch for the Padres — Local product agrees to incentive-laden, one-year deal — Mark Prior was one of the National League's premier pitchers in 2003. — In just his second major league season, Prior posted an 18-6 record and a 2.43 earned-run average for the Chicago Cubs …
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Mitchell Report not affecting baseball ticket sales — Major League Baseball has always had its doomsayers. Well, maybe not always, but certainly in the past several decades. For one reason or another, baseball has been a dying sport. Except it has never died.
Athooks / Cardinals Diaspora:
Cardinals Front Office = Liars — All we can do is go by facts. Others can choose to disagree about the nature of the business. Frankly, we feel very fortunate to have a payroll in the $90 million range. It's a great baseball town but it's not a huge market.
Discussion:
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