Top News:
Murray Chass / New York Times:
The Game for Santana Is Stretching On — The most popular baseball game of the winter seems to be endless. If it were being played in July, it would be in extra innings, and the innings would be whizzing by with no end in sight. — This is very likely how Twins pitcher Johan Santana feels.
Discussion:
Ya Gotta Believe
RELATED:
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets are back in the mix for Twins' Santana — The longer the Twins go without a deal for Johan Santana, the better the Mets' prospects look, which is why there is a sense of renewed optimism about bringing the two-time Cy Young winner to Flushing for next season and beyond.
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Buzz: Santana in the Driver's Seat — According to multiple reports, the Mets may be in the driver's seat with regards to Twins LHP Johan Santana. … According to WFAN's Mike Francesa, speaking on air yesterday afternoon, the Twins continue to ask the Mets for Jose Reyes, which is essentially holding up the trade.
Boston Herald:
Mirabelli, Sox reach one-year deal — Tim Wakefield will have his favorite catcher back behind the plate next season. — Doug Mirabelli [stats], 37, agreed in principle to a one-year deal with the Red Sox [team stats]. He will make approximately $550,000 guaranteed, with incentives that could roughly double the total value.
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
JUST SAY NOHAN — METS UNWILLING TO PART WITH FIVE PROSPECTS — The door is open wide for the Mets to land Johan Santana, but the Twins' asking price is still too high, industry sources told the Post yesterday. — The superstar left-hander could be a perfect fit for the Mets and could land …
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:
MetsNetwork.com, Mets Fever, You can't script baseball, Pinstriped Scranton and Phillies Nation
J. Weitzel / Beerleaguer:Abridged MetsBlog: Santana deal hinges on prospect
Discussion:
Hot Stove New York
Thayer Evans / New York Times:
Knoblauch Ends Silence About Report From Mitchell — HOUSTON — In his first public comments since the Mitchell report was released last month, the former Yankee Chuck Knoblauch said on Thursday that he was not angry about being named in the report, although he did not explicitly admit …
RELATED:
ESPN.com:
Report: Knoblauch breaks silence on steroid report — Chuck Knoblauch, in his first public comments since the Mitchell report was released Dec. 13, said in a newspaper interview published Friday that he was not angry about being named in the report. — The former New York Yankees second baseman …
Paul Hoynes / Cleveland Sports News:
Tribe to play in Progressive Field — Jacobs Field, the home of the Indians since 1994, will now be called Progressive Field. — The Indians have reached an agreement with Progressive Insurance for the naming rights of the 40,000-seat facility on the corner of Ontario Street and Carnegie Avenue …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Fox Sports, Blue-Collar Baseball, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and ShysterBall
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.
Steve Lombardi / WasWatching.com:
Kennedy: Member Of '04 Red Sox Used PEDs — On the drive home tonight, from work, I caught the very last minutes of The Show on X-Radio (MLB Home Plate) with Rob Dibble and Kevin Kennedy. — At that time, Kevin Kennedy was addressing a caller who had some thoughts on the Mitchell Report.
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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Brewers Blog, MY BASEBALL BIAS, WasWatching.com and IT IS HIGH, IT IS FAR, IT IS
RELATED:
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.
RELATED:
Larry Dobrow / CBS SportsLine.com:
Paper-clipping five more to Congress' hearings — It's been said that Congress will waste its time and ours with next week's planned hearing on performance-enhancing substances in baseball. It's been suggested that maybe they should devote their idle hours to pesky issues like poverty or immigration …
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Gonzalez likes idea of joining Marlins — Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria doesn't always take time to help the front office recruit players, but he did this week with 40-year-old outfielder Luis Gonzalez. — Loria told Gonzalez, according to his agent, that the Marlins would love to sign him to provide leadership for the young team.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Maddon envisions Rays cracking .500 — ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays open spring training five weeks from today convinced they have fewer questions than before and confident they'll end up with more wins than ever. — At least 81, from what manager Joe Maddon envisions. “I think it's a reasonable goal,” Maddon said.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
