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.
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.
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 …
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.
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.
Discussion:
NJ.com
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.
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:Report: Mets gaining in Santana race
Discussion:
MetsNetwork.com, Mets Fever, You can't script baseball, Pinstriped Scranton and Phillies Nation
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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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:
Fox Sports, SPORTSbyBROOKS, East Windup Chronicle, Blue-Collar Baseball, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and ShysterBall
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, iYankees, SOX & Dawgs, vorosmccracken.com, Bronx Liaison and River Ave. Blues
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.
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:
Brewers Blog, WasWatching.com, MY BASEBALL BIAS, IT IS HIGH, IT IS FAR, IT IS and MLB Trade Rumors
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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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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers could add pitcher Jennings — Source says Rangers are close to deal with veteran right-hander — egrant@dallasnews.com — The Texas Rangers appear to be closing in on a deal to add veteran right-hander Jason Jennings, a Dallas native, to their starting rotation.
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
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's looking for an outfielder — (01-10) 19:23 PST — With Nick Swisher traded away and free agent Shannon Stewart unlikely to return, the A's are moving to sign a right-handing hitting outfielder, according to major-league sources. — Oakland has had several conversations with veteran Mike Cameron …
