Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sources: Braves to acquire CF Kotsay from A's … The Atlanta Braves have reached a preliminary agreement to acquire center fielder Mark Kotsay from the Oakland Athletics, filling the hole created by the departure of Andruw Jones. The deal will be finalized once Kotsay passes a physical for Atlanta …
Discussion:
Philliesflow.com, Talking Chop, Bucs Dugout, Braves Journal, Chop-n-Change and The MLB Source
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Associated Press:
Reports: Braves acquire Kotsay — Atlanta would send reliever Devine, cash to Athletics — ATLANTA (AP) — Mark Kotsay appears headed for Atlanta to fill Andruw Jones' spot in center field. — The Braves reached a tentative deal Saturday to acquire the oft-injured Kotsay …
Discussion:
The Ropolitans
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.
Discussion:
SFGate
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's sign a free agent as Kotsay rumors fly — (01-11) 21:16 PST — Just as one outfielder joined the Oakland roster Friday, another one might be headed out the door. — The A's signed free agent Emil Brown to a one-year deal, adding a much-needed right-handed bat to their lineup.
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 …
Discussion:
River Ave. Blues
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Associated Press:
Clemens sticks to baseball in Texas coaches talk — WACO, Texas — Roger Clemens talked about pitching and conditioning. What he didn't talk about was steroids. — In a session before about 1,000 Texas high school baseball coaches Saturday, the seven-time Cy Young Award winner stuck …
Discussion:
iYankees
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.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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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
Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:
Objects Of Their Affection — Lucchino Offers Exhibits A & B As Evidence Of New Era For Red Sox — HENRY COOK, 8, of West Hartford, was among the hundreds who came to see the teamÂ's 2004 and 2007 World Series trophies. (BOB MACDONNELL, HARTFORD COURANT / January 11, 2008)
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
Gerry Fraley / Sporting News:
Mets must face collapse and fix unsettled rotation — The New York Mets must address two issues before opening day. — The first is the bedraggled state of the rotation. If general manager Omar Minaya will include top outfield prospects Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez in a rich package …
ESPN:
Rusty Hardin Q&A transcript … The following is a transcript of an interview between ESPN investigative reporter T.J. Quinn and Rusty Hardin, the attorney for Roger Clemens, conducted on Friday. — The interview will appear on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET on “Outside The Lines.”
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Niekro surprised by Clemens' Hall brush off — Braves Hall of Famer Phil Niekro said he was surprised at Roger Clemens' claim that he didn't care whether he someday joins Niekro in Cooperstown. — The embattled Clemens went on the offensive in the past week — first in an interview with …
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers sign Guardado, Wright — Texas secures pitching depth with veteran closer, reliever — ARLINGTON — Left-hander Eddie Guardado is on board and Jamey Wright is coming back. The Rangers bullpen will be full of competition and intrigue when pitchers and catchers report to Surprise, Ariz., on Feb. 14.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Derrick Goold / STLtoday:
Starting Concerns: Fit for a Weaver? — TOWER GROVE — Unless the Cardinals add a starting pitcher in the coming weeks, they will arrive at spring training with as much hope as guaranteed innings in their starting rotation. — And if the past season taught us anything, hope doesn't make his scheduled starts.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos