Top News:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
General feeling is Sox — They're perceived leaders on Teixeira — One of the general managers involved in the Mark Teixeira negotiations was asked last night, “Are you still in it?” He answered, “I honestly don't know.” — Evidently, Teixeira's final landing spot has become a mystery to some of the people involved.
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Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Source: No offers from Yanks to Manny, Teixeira — Speculation to the contrary, the Yankees are not “all in” on Manny Ramirez or Mark Teixeira. — The Yankees have not ruled out adding Ramirez or Teixeira, but they have yet to make an offer to either slugger.
Discussion:
Ken Davidoff's baseball …, MLB Rumors, WEEI Blogs, Scott Proctor's Arm and Boston Herald
Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Sox owner says economic woes could affect offers — BOSTON—As the Boston Red Sox pursue Mark Teixeira, their owner said Wednesday the amount they're willing to spend on free agents depends on the nation's economic problems and the player involved. — With as many as five teams showing interest …
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Red Sox, Youkilis talk deal — The Red Sox and infielder Kevin Youkilis have taken initial steps toward a possible long-term contract extension, said Joe Bick, the agent who represents Youkilis. — “We've had some what I would term early-stage conversations,” Bick said. “That's really where it is.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Sabernomics:
On Frank Wren — With the collapse of the Furcal-to-Atlanta deal, Frank Wren has been getting a lot of criticism. I'm not sure it's warranted, but I think now is a good time to pass along a few thoughts related to the Braves GM. — I heard Frank Wren on the the radio this morning …
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers, Furcal agree on 3-year deal
Dodgers, Furcal agree on 3-year deal
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, The Knobler Blog, Dodger Thoughts, Inside the Dodgers, New York Post and True Blue LA
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Furcal says no to Braves, returns to Dodgers
Furcal says no to Braves, returns to Dodgers
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
No Cameron may open door for Manny — Tired of waiting for the Yankees to make a move, the Brewers killed the proposed deal for Mike Cameron Wednesday, leaving a gaping hole in center field in the Bronx. — Could that hole be filled indirectly by Manny Ramirez? Only time will tell.
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Melvin: Cameron-Yanks deal is ‘dead’ — Brewers GM uncertain if he'd be interested if talks were to resume — MILWAUKEE — As Brewers general manager Doug Melvin sees it, his trade talks with the Yankees are “dead.” — “It's probably not going to happen,” Melvin said.
Discussion:
bronxbanterblog.com
Kobrien / On the Yankees beat:
Cameron-Cabrera talks off
Cameron-Cabrera talks off
Discussion:
iYankees, New Jersey Online, River Avenue Blues, Baseball & The Boogie Down, The Yankees and Scott Proctor's Arm
Nick Willhite / Los Angeles Times:
Nick Willhite dies at 67; former pitcher for the Dodgers and Angels — Pitcher for Dodgers — Nick Willhite, 67, a left-handed pitcher whose five-year baseball career was highlighted by the shutout he threw in his debut with the Dodgers in 1963, died of cancer Sunday at a son's home in Alpine, Utah.
Associated Press:
Dave Smith remembered for generosity — SAN DIEGO — Dave Smith, a former All-Star closer who holds the Houston Astros record for games pitched, died Wednesday. He was 53. — Former big leaguer Tim Flannery said Smith apparently died of a heart attack, but the official cause of death wasn't known.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Jenks reacts to trade rumors, critics — Dip in velocity by design, not injury says White Sox closer — CHICAGO — Firing the baseball at 100 mph past opposing hitters' feeble attempts to make contact once stood as a trademark of Bobby Jenks' pitching repertoire upon arriving in the Majors.
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William C. Rhoden / New York Times:
Sabathia Offers Yanks What Money Can't Buy — In a bizarre spectacle of arrogance and denial, the Mets and the Yankees are hosting back-to-back introductions for their multimillion-dollar pitchers this week. — Even as the nation continues to reel from the effect of economic body blows …
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Doumit deal nearly done, McLouth's nearly ‘dead’ — Pirates' multiyear contract offers take widely divergent paths — The Pirates are on the verge of signing catcher Ryan Doumit to a multiyear extension, and it could happen within the week, according to a source directly involved in the negotiations.
Jon Paul Morosi / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' signing of catcher Matt Treanor should be announced soon — The Tigers are expected to announce in the coming days that they have agreed to a one-year contract with backup catcher Matt Treanor. — One person with knowledge of the negotiations said Tuesday night that the sides …
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Towers is assessing potential options to shore up team's middle infield — Veteran middle infielders Omar Vizquel, David Eckstein and Mark Grudzielanek are on the Padres' radar to varying degrees, General Manager Kevin Towers said Wednesday, but it's still early.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Ed Price / New Jersey Online:
Sabathia visits new Yankee Stadium — The Yankees have passed along these photos of new pitcher CC Sabathia touring the new Yankee Stadium.