Top News:
Roch Kubatko / MASN Online:
The Nationals may have taken the lead! — According to multiple sources, the Washington Nationals have sweetened their proposal to first baseman Mark Teixeira, offering him an eight-year deal worth $178 to $184 million. — The Nats were believed to have an eight-year, $160 million offer on the table.
Discussion:
Nationals Journal, River Avenue Blues, MVN, We've Got Heart, It is about the money, stupid and Oriole Post
RELATED:
Sweeny Murti Yankees Blog:
Sweeny Says: Go Get Tex — Yankees@wfan.com — New York, NY (WFAN) — The more I think about it, the more all these calls and e-mails I get are right. The Yankees need to get Mark Teixeira. And here's how I think they can get him. — How does this not make sense for the Yankees?
Mike / Sons Of Simmons:
Sources: Red Sox Agree In Principle On Deal With Mark Teixeira — Sources have confirmed to Sons of Simmons, that the Boston Red Sox have agreed in principle to an eight-year deal with first basemen Mark Teixeira. Details are still sketchy at the moment, but it looks to be for around $170 Million dollars …
Discussion:
El Guapo's Ghost Rambles …
Danny Knobler / CBS SportsLine.com:
Signing Manny over Teixeira makes more sense for Yanks — It's hard to blame the Yankees for going after Mark Teixeira, if only because the one sure way to keep him away from the Red Sox would be for the Yankees to sign him themselves. — But if the Yankees want to upgrade their offense …
Buster Olney / ESPN:Red Sox still in the driver's seat to sign Teixeira
Discussion:
MLB.com, Nationals Journal, Federal Baseball, Blue Notes, Deadspin, Boston Globe, MASN Online, Scott Proctor's Arm, iYankees, It is about the money, stupid, Newsday and ESPN
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Jeter thinks Manny would fit with Yanks — Team captain impressed by signings of two top pitchers — NEW YORK — Derek Jeter can't claim to have a close personal relationship with Manny Ramirez, but if the Washington Heights, N.Y., product winds up back in New York, the Yankees captain believes he will fit in.
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Kobrien / On the Yankees beat:
Yankees not on verge of signing Manny Ramirez — If any of you saw the ImpactoDeportivo.com report that the Yankees are on the verge of signing Manny Ramirez to a three-year, $75-million contract, don't get excited (either good or bad). It's not true. Hal Steinbrenner told me this afternoon, “If we are, I don't know about it.”
Discussion:
iYankees
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:PINSTRIPE POSTS
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Zell's Pinstripe Blog, River Avenue Blues, Subway Squawkers, WasWatching.com and iYankees
MLB.com:
Yankees sign Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year contract — The New York Yankees announced today that they have signed right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year contract for $5 million, avoiding arbitration. — Wang, 28, was 8-2 with a 4.07 ERA in 15 starts for the Yankees in 2008 …
Dayn Perry / Fox Sports:
Yankees haven't overtaken BoSox, Rays — Dayn Perry is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com and author of the blog Spolitical, which explores the relationship between sports and politics. He's presently at work on his second book, a biography of Reggie Jackson. — It hasn't been enough.
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
On Old Cassette, Barber's Voice Brings to Life Game He Missed — No one broadcast Johnny Vander Meer's second consecutive no-hitter in June 1938, but that did not deter fans from telling Red Barber years later how much they enjoyed his call. — Barber should have called it, at least for symmetry's sake.
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
WBC apathy is an American affliction — Buzz up! — For nearly an hour during their news conference two weeks ago to promote the World Baseball Classic, the tournament's organizers blathered on about rule changes and mandatory reporting dates and scheduling specifics.
RELATED:
Joel Sherman / Hardball:WRIGHT TO BE STARTING WBC THIRD BASEMAN
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
APNewsBreak: Yanks have $26.9 million luxury tax — Buzz up! — NEW YORK (AP)—The New York Yankees not only failed to make the playoffs, they were hit with their highest luxury tax in three years. — The Yankees were assessed a $26.9 million tax by the commissioner's office on Monday …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Who is on Brewers' radar? — Beat reporter Adam McCalvy answers fans' burning questions — It looks like the free-agent pool is thinning out when it comes to players that the Brewers are looking for. With the need for another left-handed bat, as well as pitching in general …
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yanks' Taveras suspended 50 games — Catching prospect, 19, tests positive for anabolic steroid — NEW YORK — Yankees prospect Damian Taveras was suspended for 50 games Monday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance under baseball's Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment program.
RELATED:
MLB.com:
Braves announce Minor League coaching staffs for 2009 — ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves announced their 2009 Minor League coaching staffs today, including new coaches at the Triple-A and Double-A levels. — The inaugural Gwinnett Braves (AAA) coaching staff will include the return …
