Top News:
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
3 UP: Sheets, Teixeira and Lowe — Hey, checking in from vacation again (sorry, honey). I will be completing my week of co-hosting The Show today from 3-6 p.m. on XM 175 or Sirius 210 in case anyone would like to listen. — 1. Keep hearing from multiple sources that the Yankees will have nothing to do with Ben Sheets.
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ESPN:
Red Sox aren't necessarily out of Teixeira talks … Red Sox executives flew to Texas on Thursday believing they were close enough in negotiations to complete a deal with Mark Teixeira. But after they arrived, they were informed that their offer to Teixeira — something in the range …
Discussion:
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Sources: BoSox still in Teixeira hunt … The Red Sox haven't given up on the idea of signing Mark Teixeira, according to multiple baseball sources. — They are just taking a break from the bidding. — Though Boston's chances to land the multitalented free-agent slugger may have diminished slightly …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Boston Globe, MLB Rumors, River Avenue Blues, Projo Sox Blog and A Red Sox Fan …
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Is it really over for Red Sox and Teixeira? — ANALYSIS — If the Red Sox have pulled out of the Mark Teixeira talks for good, it would be a stunner to a lot of baseball people. — Of the people I've talked to this morning regarding John Henry's e-mail in which he said it seems that Boston …
Alex Speier / Archive:
For Red Sox and Teixeira, Sound and Fury Signify Bluffing — On one point, at least, the Red Sox are not bluffing. — The team may or may not still be in the running for Mark Teixeira. Though Sox owner John Henry emailed a statement that the Sox “are not going to be a factor” …
George A. King III / New York Post:
TEIXEIRA TOO RICH FOR SAWX — The Red Sox say they got outbid for free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. — Though Boston didn't talk about which teams offered more for the switch-hitting Teixeira, it wasn't the Yankees. — “Not us,” GM Brian Cashman told The Post late last night.
Discussion:
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Thomas Boswell / Baseball Insider:
Teixeira — Plenty of Nationals fans are scratching their heads …
Teixeira — Plenty of Nationals fans are scratching their heads …
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Nationals Journal
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Henry: ‘We are not going to be a factor’ for Teixeira
Henry: ‘We are not going to be a factor’ for Teixeira
Discussion:
MLB.com, Baseball Insider, Pinstripes, Pa., The Big Lead, Nationals Journal, Jorge Says No!, The Bottom Line, Hardball Times, MetsBlog.com, Clubhouse Insider, Bottom9 Baseball, Over the Monster, It is about the money, stupid, Fire Brand of the …, PE.com, SOX & Dawgs, Washington Post, Oriole Post, Oriole Magic, The Yankee Scrolls, Oleanders and Morning Glories, River Avenue Blues, PE Angels Baseball, Baseball & The Boogie Down, 6-4-2, YFSF and Projo Sox Blog
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Red Sox say they won't be a factor for Mark Teixeira
Red Sox say they won't be a factor for Mark Teixeira
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Angels close to re-signing Juan Rivera
Angels close to re-signing Juan Rivera
Discussion:
ESPN, Associated Press, Fox Sports, MetsBlog.com, 6-4-2, Philliesflow.com, Mets Fever, Angels blog and MLB Rumors
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Crosby clears outright waivers — Shortstop appears headed to Spring Training as A's starter — Athletics shortstop Bobby Crosby has cleared outright waivers, keeping the 28-year-old in Oakland — for now, at least. — The waiver period expired at 10 a.m. PT on Friday …
JSOnline:
Yankees finally call back — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — I talked with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin a little while ago and he said Yankees GM Brian Cashman finally called back today after days of silence prompted Melvin to remove centerfielder Mike Cameron from trade consideration yesterday.
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Adam Rubin / Baseball America:
New York Mets — Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Norton signs one-year deal with Braves — Top-notch pinch-hitter will return to Atlanta in 2009 to help off bench — ATLANTA — After proving to be one of Major League Baseball's top pinch-hitters last year, Greg Norton proved valuable enough to earn a return to the Braves.
Tim Ott / MLB.com:
Season's finest claim TYIB Awards — Superstars Pujols, Lincecum, Lidge among fan favorites for 2008 — Once again, the fans spoke loudly when given the chance to weigh in on this past season's best players, plays and moments in the This Year in Baseball Awards.
ESPN:
Braves won't deal with Furcal's agents again — The Atlanta Braves aren't done complaining about the way they felt they were treated by the Wasserman Media Group, the firm representing free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. — They are, however, apparently done doing business with them.
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Sam Mellinger / Kansas City Star:
The retro jock: Royals pitcher has offseason job as a laborer — You might think professional athletes have become spoiled. Might think the money and the fans and the hype have all conspired to strip them of their humility or sever any connection between them and regular fans.