Top News:
Associated Press:
K-Rod to NL East foes: Mets are ‘team to beat’ — NEW YORK — Francisco Rodriguez has a message for the Philadelphia Phillies and the rest of the NL East. — “Of course, we're going to try to win the division. Of course, we're going to be the front-runner. Of course, we're going to be the team to beat,” he said Saturday.
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Federal Baseball, Respect Jeter's Gangster, Philly.com, Oriole Post, Bottom9 Baseball and The700Level.com
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Christian Red / NY Daily News:
Francisco Rodriguez from the mountain top — CARACAS, Venezuela - The harrowing series of switchbacks snakes upward, winding past secluded mansions in the Alta Hatillo section of Caracas, a scene that could be straight out of the HBO hit show “Entourage.” — High up in these hills …
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
K-Rod promises to bring the heat — Closer says velocity will return after changeup experiment — NEW YORK — Not that it's an excuse, because there's little reason to excuse success, but Francisco Rodriguez claims he knows precisely why his fastball has lost a little zip.
Discussion:
Cubs f/x
JSOnline:
Cameron-Cabrera talks on hold — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — I spoke a little while ago with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin and he was still waiting to hear back from Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to resume talks for the swap of centerfielders Mike Cameron and Melky Cabrera.
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Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
Madden: Cashman paying the price — Out of sheer desperation, Brian Cashman has had to go back to the free-agent pitching well, where he hasn't fared too well as Yankee GM. He should only hope now that $161 million over seven years for CC Sabathia and $82.5 million over five years …
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WasWatching.com
Newsday:YANKEES: A.J. headed for Bronx
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River Avenue Blues, Zell's Pinstripe Blog, iYankees, Sliding Into Home and On the Yankees beat
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Farnsworth, Royals agree to deal — Two-year, $9.25 million contract includes club option for 2011 — The Royals' bullpen now has its hard-throwing right-hander. — Kansas City announced on Saturday that it had agreed to terms with Kyle Farnsworth on a two-year, $9.25 million deal that includes a club option for 2011.
Discussion:
Royals Review
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Patrick / NPB Tracker:
Free Agency Watch: Kawakami, Takahashi, Saito — Today's free agency updates... - According to Nikkan Sports, Boston is preparing a 3-year, $7m deal for Kenshin Kawakami. Not an official offer yet, but the numbers sound right. Sponichi has the Braves and Brewers also getting in on Kawakami.
Discussion:
Mike Silva's NY Baseball …, MLB Rumors, Mets Fever, 24 Hours From Suicide and MetsBlog.com
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:Whither Smoltz? Who is Kawakami?
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Nelson keeping his options open — Reliever a free agent after not being tendered by Marlins — MIAMI — Even though the Marlins didn't tender reliever Joe Nelson a contract on Friday, the team did leave the door open for a possible return. — Shortly after the non-tender deadline passed …
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Many big bats remain available for Tampa Bay Rays — Leaving Las Vegas, the Rays felt pretty good about their chances to add a big-name big bat to their lineup. They have reason to feel even better now that Raul Ibanez has agreed to a reported three-year, $30-million deal with the Phillies.
Yahoo! Sports:
Orioles part ways with RHP Cabrera — Buzz up! — BALTIMORE (Ticker) - The Baltimore Orioles have finally given up on pitcher Daniel Cabrera. — The club on Saturday declined to tender a contract to the righthander, allowing him to become a free agent.
Central Maine / Central Maine Sports Blog:
Yankees Sign Burnett, May Be Out on Lowe — In an e-mail from ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, I asked him if he thought the Yankees would still be in on Derek Lowe now that they have signed AJ Burnett. His response...
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Bruce doing his part to lure Hairston — Call Jay Bruce a six-tool player. He can hit, hit for power, throw, field, run and lobby. — The lobbying part has come into play in the offseason. — Bruce is trying to persuade Jerry Hairston Jr. to return to the Reds.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
