Top News:
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Report: Mets gaining in Santana race — National League club could have edge in dealings with Twins — MINNEAPOLIS — Since the Johan Santana sweepstakes began in late November, the Yankees and the Red Sox have been considered the frontrunners in the race for the ace.
RELATED:
Joe / Around the Majors:
Santana's asking price hasn't changed — Last month, I wrote that the New York Mets were not to be taken seriously in the Johan Santana sweepstakes. A person with knowledge of the negotiations told me that Mets owner Fred Wilpon was against the idea of signing any pitcher to the kind of contract extension Santana is seeking.
Discussion:
Nick & Nick's Twins Blog, Blastings! Thrilledge, Mets 4 Life, Bugs & Cranks, Chop-n-Change, Depressed Fan, MetsNetwork.com, NJ.com, MetsBlog.com, Twins Territory, Mets Prospectus, Mets Fever, On the Mets beat, the metropolitans, Kranepool Society, Bronx Liaison, Ya Gotta Believe and MLB Trade Rumors
J. Weitzel / Beerleaguer:
Abridged MetsBlog: Santana deal hinges on prospect — Hot stove mania has cooled in this neck of the woods, but our rival blog is abuzz with rumors that the Mets are closing in on Johan Santana. [Link] — According to Joe Christensen of the Minnesota Star Tribune, the Twins have told …
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Yankees may give up on Johan Santana — Brian Cashman has remained protective of the Yankees' assembled prospects, while Hal Steinbrenner has been equally shielding of the team's finances. — Hank Steinbrenner? That's been another story for much of the winter.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yankees sign OF Lane — Brian Cashman said on YES tonight that the Yankees have signed Jason Lane to a minor-league deal. — A right-handed bat, Lane can play all three OF spots and a little first base. He's 31 and coming off two hideous seasons. He did hit 26 homers in 2005.
Discussion:
Pinstripes PA, Depressed Fan, The Baseball Outsider, The Chuck Knoblog and MY BASEBALL BIAS
RELATED:
Mike Puma / New York Post:
LANE MIGHT JOIN YANKS AT 1ST BASE — Just in case Jason Giambi, Shelley Duncan and Wilson Betemit aren't enough at first base heading to spring training, the Yankees have interest in adding free agent Jason Lane, according to a source. — Lane, 31, was not tendered a contract by the Padres …
T.J. Quinn / ESPN.com:
Immunity not expected for Clemens, source says … A congressional source said Thursday that a House committee does not expect to give immunity to former pitcher Roger Clemens or four other witnesses who are scheduled to testify about performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball on Feb. 13.
Discussion:
Washington Post
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Rose investigator says Mitchell undermined report — NEW YORK — The lawyer who led baseball's investigation of Pete Rose said George Mitchell's failure to release most of the evidence from his probe on doping in baseball undermined the credibility of the report.
Discussion:
ShysterBall
Fox Sports:
Yanks join Brewers and others in pursuit of Cameron — The Brewers face strong competition for free-agent center fielder Mike Cameron, perhaps stronger than they even imagined.
RELATED:
Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:
Brewers mulling Cameron and others — I finally got through to general manager Doug Melvin this afternoon and he confirmed he has interest in signing free-agent centerfielder Mike Cameron. — But Melvin was quick to point out that he is considering other options as well.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Tony Massarotti / Clubhouse Insider:
Mirabelli to return — The Red Sox have done relatively little to address their bench so far this offseason, but the team is on the verge of addressing its catching situation by bringing back Doug Mirabelli. — According to sources, Mirabelli has agreed in principle a one-year deal …
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
‘Melk-man’ to be delivered a Thurman — Yanks' center fielder, four others recognized for philanthropy — NEW YORK — The word “energy” became an inside catch-phrase for the Yankees' clubhouse last season, with Melky Cabrera's youthful spirit serving as a major driving force toward the team's second-half turnaround.
Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Notes: Huff slated for hernia surgery — Veteran infielder could miss early days of Spring Training — BALTIMORE — Aubrey Huff became Baltimore's first offseason casualty Thursday night, when the designated hitter announced through the Orioles that he will undergo surgery to repair a sports hernia on Friday in Philadelphia.
MLB.com:
USOC, USADA, MLB and NFL announce partnership for anti-doping research — COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The United States Olympic Committee (USOC), United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Major League Baseball (MLB) and National Football League (NFL) announced today the formation …
