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Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Erstad signs one-year deal with Astros — Veteran to serve as lefty bat and backup outfielder off bench — HOUSTON — Outfielder Darin Erstad has reached an agreement with the Astros on a one-year contract worth $1 million plus incentives, general manager Ed Wade confirmed on Thursday.
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Brian McTaggart / Houston Chronicle:
Erstad to provide versatility, depth to Astros — 2-time All-Star won Gold Gloves at first base, outfield — The Astros made another move to strengthen their bench Thursday, signing free-agent outfielder Darin Erstad to a one-year, $1 million contract with performance incentives.
Associated Press:
Astros, Erstad reach 1-year agreement — HOUSTON (AP) - Free agent outfielder Darin Erstad signed a one-year contract worth $1 million plus incentives with the Houston Astros on Thursday. — The 33-year-old Erstad, a two-time All Star in 11 seasons with the Angels, hit .248 with four home runs …
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The MLB Source
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Source: Yanks tell Cano to pull out of winter ball … ORLANDO — The New York Yankees told second baseman Robinson Cano to stop playing winter ball, his Dominican Republic team told ESPNdeportes.com on Thursday. — “The Yankees sent a letter to Cano to stop playing, but they didn't offer …
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Report: Cano pulled from winter ball — Infielder says Yanks don't want him to aggravate calf injury — NEW YORK — Robinson Cano may need to wait for Spring Training to take his next swings against live game competition. — The Yankees instructed the 25-year-old second baseman to pull …
Duff Wilson / New York Times:
Entertainer and Fighter Is Clemens's Lead Lawyer — Rusty Hardin, the Houston lawyer hired by Roger Clemens to defend him from claims he used performance-enhancing drugs, is a star of the Texas bar, a charmer of juries and journalists and a lawyer whose preparation and aggressive tactics draw …
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Castillo will get competition from Wood for third base — Jose Castillo had one goal in mind as he evaluated his opportunities for next season: Become an everyday player again. — The Pirates' second baseman from 2004-06, Castillo will get that chance as a third baseman with the Marlins …
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FishStripes
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Chris Vivlamore / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Beauchamp, ex-Braves player and coach, dies — Former Braves player and coach Jim Beauchamp died Tuesday — Christmas Day — after a long battle with acute myelogenous leukemia. He was 68. — Beauchamp was the bench coach for the Braves from 1991 to '98, a part of the team's World Series championship in 1995.
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Associated Press:
Former Atlanta coach Jim Beauchamp dies at 68 — ATLANTA (AP) — Former major league player and longtime Atlanta Braves coach Jim Beauchamp has died of leukemia. He was 68. — “As a son, my fondest memory of him was how much he told us he loved us,” Kash Beauchamp told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
NY Daily News:
Mets show interest in Lieber — The Mets have touched base with representatives for several free-agent pitchers they consider fallback options if they are unable to land a marquee starter in a trade this winter. — One of those contingency arms apparently belongs to former Yankee righty Jon Lieber, according to agent Rex Gary.
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Teams pitch Santana deals but nothing connecting … The Twins continue to stay in contact with the Red Sox, Yankees, Mets and Mariners about a Johan Santana deal. But those talks have moved so slowly it's now possible a Santana trade may not get done “for several weeks,” according to one source with knowledge of the discussions.
Christina Kahrl / Baseball Prospectus:
TA: Breakout — Making Waves in the Wests — American League — National League — Signed RHP Carlos Silva to a four-year, $48 million contract. — The challenge for the Mariners this winter was to find that starting pitcher who could help pick up King Felix and provide …
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6-4-2
Associated Press:
Congressman Shays blasts Selig on steroids policy — WASHINGTON — Rep. Christopher Shays, a member of a congressional panel probing the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, said Thursday there is little to be gained by calling players to testify at hearings scheduled for next month.
Dayn Perry / Fox Sports:
Webb-Haren form most formidable duo — Dayn Perry is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com and author of the new book, “Winners: How Good Baseball Teams Become Great Ones” (Available now at Amazon.com). — The recent trade of Dan Haren to the Arizona Diamondbacks has revived …