Top News:
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Kotsay trade hinges on physical — The A's and the Braves edged closer to completing a deal that would send center fielder Mark Kotsay to Atlanta in exchange for right-handed reliever Joey Devine. — Oakland also could receive a Class-A pitcher in the deal, according to a Braves source.
RELATED:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves get A's Kotsay for Devine — There was an optimistic buzz among fans and players Saturday at Braves FanFest, before any of them knew the team agreed to terms on a trade for veteran Oakland center fielder Mark Kotsay. — The Braves and Athletics agreed to a deal to bring Kotsay …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves bring in Kotsay in trade with A's — Atlanta sends right-handed reliever Devine to Oakland — ATLANTA — Mark Kotsay is heading to Atlanta, and if his back is deemed healthy, he'll be staying throughout the summer to serve as the Braves' new center fielder.
Buster Olney / ESPN:Sources: Braves to acquire CF Kotsay from A's
Discussion:
Philliesflow.com, Braves Journal, Talking Chop, Bucs Dugout, The MLB Source and Chop-n-Change
NY Daily News:
McNamee fires fastballs — When Brian McNamee answered questions from federal investigators last year, he didn't volunteer a lot beyond what he was asked. Now, say sources close to Roger Clemens' former trainer, McNamee is providing additional information to investigators as they prepare for a congressional hearing on Feb. 13.
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T.J. Quinn / ESPN.com:
Source: Clemens hedging on testifying under oath — After saying repeatedly that Roger Clemens will answer any questions Congress wants to ask him, a source familiar with the inquiry said Saturday night that attorney Rusty Hardin is hedging over the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee's request …
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Endy hurts other hammy — Endy Chavez, who played only 71 games last season because of a strained left hamstring, hurt his right hamstring and ankle in a play at the plate in December in a winter league game in his native Venezuela, but is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
Discussion:
MetsNetwork.com, Mets Fever, Ya Gotta Believe, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog, Hot Foot and MetsBlog.com
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Mets to hold blood drive on Monday — Club offering vouchers for two tickets to April game — NEW YORK — The Mets are constantly looking forward: Looking forward to Spring Training, looking forward to next season. — Looking forward to saving lives. — They'll do so again when they hold …
Discussion:
MetsNetwork.com
Associated Press:
Jays, Cards close to Glaus-Rolen deal — ST. LOUIS (AP) — The feud between Scott Rolen and Tony La Russa could soon be over. — The St. Louis Cardinals were close to a trade Saturday night that would send the disgruntled Rolen to the Toronto Blue Jays for Troy Glaus in a swap of All-Star third basemen …
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Trade swaps Rolen, Glaus — By granting Scott Rolen his wish, the Cardinals may have found a way to fulfill one of their own. — The Cardinals and the Toronto Blue Jays are close to finalizing a swap of third basemen that would bring Troy Glaus and his stout bat to St. Louis, while shipping the disenchanted Rolen north.
Lisa Kennelly / New Jersey Online:
Chamberlain will spend spring training preparing for starting role — Where Joba Chamberlain begins the 2008 season will have a lot to do with his new manager. — Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner has spent most of the off-season insisting that the 22-year-old right-hander …
Discussion:
Scott Proctor's Arm
RELATED:
John Shea / San Francisco Chronicle:
Throwing away '08? No way, says A's Wolff — A's owner Lew Wolff isn't afraid to make oversized comments about his undersized team. Many fans remember his “I'll see you at the parade” boast to corporate sponsors before the 2006 season, an indication he fully expected to win the World Series.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Mission unhurt by omission — Baines stays on ballot despite oversight by 1 staunch supporter — From this perspective, and understanding that the process never seems to satisfy anyone, it's clear 542 Hall of Fame voters did a fine job this year. There were 543 votes cast, however, and the exception, sad to say, was yours truly.
David Laurila / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Q and A: Ned Colletti by David Laurila — Ned Colletti … David Laurila: The Hall of Fame announced its results earlier this week. What are your thoughts on Goose Gossage gaining induction? — Ned Colletti: I'm happy for Goose. He's a good person and he was an outstanding pitcher who changed the game.
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Payroll blows past promise — ST. PETERSBURG - Three interesting things to come out of last week's spring-training-is-closer-than-you- think media session: — The payroll most likely will exceed $40-million, a significant increase nearly 70 percent from last season's opening day $24-million.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
