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.
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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 …
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.
NY Daily News:
Mets: Report on Johan a wild pitch — While the Yanks seem to be out of the race to land Twins ace Johan Santana, the Mets look like front-runners, but a team insider dismissed a report out of Minnesota that the Mets could land Santana for a five-prospect package.
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.
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.
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 …
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Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Clemens might not attend mini-camp — Astros concerned Rocket's presence would be distraction — HOUSTON — The Astros plan to hold their annual Nolan Ryan Elite Pitching Camp and Jeff Bagwell Elite Hitting Camp at the end of the month, but they may be without one of their coaches — Roger Clemens.
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 …
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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Indians find Progressive partner — Tribe agrees to naming rights deal with Cleveland insurer — CLEVELAND — Say farewell to “The Jake” and hello to ... “The Prog,” perhaps? — Though the edifice is intact and the distinctive elements remain, Jacobs Field — in appellation alone — is no more.
Discussion:
A Red Sox Fan …
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.
Discussion:
Center Field, Hardball Times, Cursed To First, SOX & Dawgs, iYankees, vorosmccracken.com, Bronx Liaison and River Ave. Blues
Wax Heaven:
The Prospect Corner - Fernando Martinez — Yesterday I spent some time looking at Carlos Gomez, so it only seems appropriate to follow that up by looking at Fernando Martinez who recently finished up a more than adequate year at AA ball as an 18 year old. The Mets are confident enough …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers host first winter mini-camp — Minor Leaguers undergo training session at Dodger Stadium — LOS ANGELES — Pitchers and catchers report to Dodgertown on Feb. 14, but De Jon Watson couldn't wait for that. — Watson, assistant general manager for player development …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Biggio to receive Munson Award — Latest honor caps 20 years of service on and off field — HOUSTON — As a kid growing up in Long Island, N.Y., Craig Biggio did not root for a particular Major League team, but he did idolize one player in particular — Yankees catcher Thurman Munson.
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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:
NJ.com, Brewers Blog, Pinstripe Alley, WasWatching.com, MY BASEBALL BIAS, IT IS HIGH, IT IS FAR, IT IS and MLB Trade Rumors
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