Top News:
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.
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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.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter, My Pinstripes, Scott Proctor's Arm, Sliding Into Home, MetsBlog.com and The LoHud Yankees Blog
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 …
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.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
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 …
Joe Christensen / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Yankees ... Red Sox ... or maybe the Mets
Yankees ... Red Sox ... or maybe the Mets
Discussion:
Philliesflow.com, Hot Stove New York, Bugs & Cranks, Depressed Fan, NJ.com, Global New York Mets Fan Blog, Chop-n-Change, Mets Prospectus, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Twinkie Town, FanHouse, Mets Fever, Sox and Pinstripes, On the Mets beat, the metropolitans, Twins Territory, Kranepool Society, Mets Merized Online, MetsBlog.com, River Ave. Blues, NorthJersey.com, Ya Gotta Believe, MetsMole.com, Lone Star Mets, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog, Bronx Liaison, Hot Foot and The Ropolitans
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 …
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
Brian McTaggart / Houston Chronicle:
Astros ink 5 to minor league deals — Team announces spring training set to kick off Feb. 14 — Infielder Lance Niekro, the son of Astros all-time wins leader Joe Niekro, was among five players signed by the Astros to minor league contracts and given invitations to spring training Wednesday.
Eric SanInocencio / Rays Anatomy:
Car Jumping Translates Into Baseball Skills.....Right? — As a newcomer to the Rays family, I admit that my past history concerning Tampa Bay's franchise consists on what I watched on television or anecdotes that were mentioned in the news. While I follow them exclusively now …
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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 …
Discussion:
Bronx Liaison
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates minicamp: Huntington says roster mostly set — GM's hope for major trade fizzled, prompted retrenchment — BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates' roster, despite precious few changes this offseason, is pretty much set for 2008. — “From a substantial additions standpoint, yeah …
Dan Shanoff:
Dan Shanoff Partnering with SportingNews.com — Qualifying as a pretty big announcement (at least for DanShanoff.com), I have entered a partnership with the Sporting News. — Starting Monday, my signature morning product - that began with the Quickie and migrated to the sports blogosphere …
MLB.com:
Teahen hosts fashion show for Challenger program — Butler, DeJesus, Gordon and Meche among teammates stepping in as models — KANSAS CITY — Kansas City Royals outfielder Mark Teahen will host the “Mark Teahen...Challenge Your Fashion” fundraiser on Thursday, Jan. 17 at 5:30 p.m …
Discussion:
Royals Review
John Sickels / Minor League Ball:
Tampa Bay Devil Rays Top 20 Prospects for 2008 — Tampa Bay Devil Rays Top 20 Prospects for 2008 — All grades are extremely preliminary and subject to change. — Evan Longoria, 3B, Grade A — David Price, LHP, Grade A — Jacob McGee, LHP, Grade A — Wade Davis, RHP, Grade B+
Discussion:
Baseball Musings