Top News:
For the Record:
QUOTE(#5): … Absolutely, get Texeira. We need to put the ball in play. See if Manny will give us a discount, too! I also believe that the Yanks are dawdling on Lowe because they have no confidence in their middle infield to corral all those ground balls that'll be coming their way.
RELATED:
Tyler Kepner / Bats:
Hot Stove Rumblings on Cameron, Pettitte and Manny — In talking to some people involved today, I get the feeling the Yankees are backing away from a potential Melky Cabrera-for-Mike Cameron trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, at least for now. There's a deal the teams could make …
Ed Price / New Jersey Online:
Deal for Cameron still possible for New York Yankees
Deal for Cameron still possible for New York Yankees
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Furcal acquisition could trigger trade for pitcher — The Braves appear on the verge of bringing back veteran shortstop Rafael Furcal, which could be the precursor to a trade for a top starting pitcher. — FoxSports.com reported early today that the free agent and former Braves All-Star …
RELATED:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Source: Furcal, Braves reach multiyear deal — The Atlanta Braves have reached preliminary agreement on a multiyear contract with free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal, a baseball source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. — The deal is pending completion of a physical exam.
Discussion:
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, MLB Rumors, Angels blog, The Knobler Blog and Talking Chop
Baltimore Sun:
Izturis officially an Oriole — Team announces two-year deal with slick-fielding shortstop — The Orioles today announced they have completed the signing of free-agent shortstop Cesar Izturis to a two-year contract, shoring up a position that was a revolving door for the team in 2007.
Associated Press:
Orioles sign Izturis to stop revolving door at SS … BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles finally filled their hole at shortstop, signing free agent Cesar Izturis to a two-year contract Tuesday. — The 28-year-old Izturis batted .263 in 135 games with the St. Louis Cardinals this year.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
ESPN.com:
Source: Furcal moves closer to deal with Braves — Free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal moved closer to a deal with the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, but a source familiar with the situation told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that a report that the two sides have reached agreement pending a physical exam is premature.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
JAYS OUT OF RUNNING FOR FURCAL
JAYS OUT OF RUNNING FOR FURCAL
Discussion:
Hot Stove Blog, Dodger Thoughts, umpbump.com, Bluebird Banter, MLB FanHouse and Royals Review
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
For Sox, Mark Teixeira deal would be 2nd to none — Money matters — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — The courtship of Mark Teixeira is consuming a great deal of time and energy on Yawkey Way. — Should the Red Sox [team stats] eventually come out on top …
Discussion:
Toeing the Rubber, MetsBlog.com, Angels blog, MLB Rumors, Center Field, Hot Foot and Associated Press
RELATED:
Earl Bloom / Angels blog:
Report: Red Sox offer Teixeira $200 million
Report: Red Sox offer Teixeira $200 million
Discussion:
Boston Herald, It is about the money, stupid, Hardball Times, MLB FanHouse and MLB Rumors
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Mel Stottlemyre believes J.J. Putz can succeed here, but sets up concern — Mel Stottlemyre was J.J. Putz's pitching coach last season in Seattle and knows enough about the Mets' new reliever to believe that he can thrive in New York. — The one adjustment that bears watching, though …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Gathright could fit on Cubs' bench — Fleet-footed outfielder has played for Piniella before — CHICAGO — Outfielder Joey Gathright has popped up on the Cubs' radar. — Gathright could be added to the roster this week and compete for a spot on the Cubs' bench.
RELATED:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Free agent Wolf confirms Mets' interest — Left-hander could replace Perez in New York's rotation — NEW YORK — The need for an additional left-handed pitcher in the Mets' rotation seems to increase with each day that Oliver Perez doesn't re-sign. The trades that removed Scott Schoeneweis …
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Alderson expects Padres ace to start 2009 season with organization — Asked about Jake Peavy Monday, Padres CEO Sandy Alderson said, “It's likely Jake will be with us Opening Day.” — The Padres have shopped Peavy since October. Talks with two of his preferred teams - the Braves and the Cubs - fell short.
Peter Schmuck / The Schmuck Stops Here:
Is D.Cabrera a commodity? — Baltimore Sun baseball guy Dan Connolly just got off the phone with Mike Powers, the agent for just-released pitcher Daniel Cabrera, and Powers says he's been on the phone a lot since the Orioles chose to non-tender D-Cab on Friday night.
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball, whygavs.com, Al's Ramblings, Raise the Jolly Roger!, South Side Sox and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Toronto Sun:
Moyer, 46, given two-year deal — PHILADELPHIA — Jamie Moyer agreed yesterday to a $13-million US, two-year contract that keeps the 46-year-old left-hander with the World Series champion Phillies. — Philadelphia also confirmed it has a preliminary agreement with Chan Ho Park, a one-year contract worth $2.5 million.
RELATED:
Jose De Jesus Ortiz / Houston Chronicle:
Astros sign outfielder Jason Michaels — The Astros signed Jason Michaels to a one-year, $750,000 contract plus incentives, essentially filling the club's other backup outfielder's role for the 2009 season. — With Michaels and Darin Erstad to go along with starters Carlos Lee …
RELATED: