Top News:
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.
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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.
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:
New Jersey Online, iYankees, Baseball & The Boogie Down, The Yankees and Scott Proctor's Arm
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers, Furcal agree on 3-year deal — Physical all that stands in way of shortstop staying in Los Angeles — LOS ANGELES — The winding road of free agency has led shortstop Rafael Furcal right back to the Dodgers. — A baseball official confirmed Wednesday that Furcal has reached agreement …
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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
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
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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 …
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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Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Former Astro Smith dies of heart attack — Two-time All-Star reliever was on three Houston playoff teams — HOUSTON — Dave Smith, an Astros reliever from 1980-90 and a member of all three Houston playoff teams in the 1980s, died Wednesday of a heart attack. He was 53.
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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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.
Discussion:
24 Hours From Suicide
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Mets Are ‘Not for Sale, Not a Piece of It’ — After the Mets introduced Francisco Rodríguez as their $37 million closer Wednesday, team executives posed for pictures with him. Jeff Wilpon, the chief operating officer, smiled for the cameras. He has not done much of that lately.
Discussion:
Brooklyn Met Fan
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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.
Discussion:
Scott Proctor's Arm
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
Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Maine to Phils: Shut up already! — In addition to the Jerry Manuel Q&A below, I've got some news and notes from the Francisco Rodriguez introductory news conference this morning in Long Island City that was notable in part for what John Maine (pictured) had to say about the hated Phillies.
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Reliever Nelson has several suitors — Agent says he's fielded inquiries from 19 teams for setup man — MIAMI — On the open market, Joe Nelson is attracting plenty of attention. — Non-tendered by the Marlins last Friday, Nelson's agent, Doug Schaer, has fielded inquiries from 19 teams.