Top News:
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Jays ink quartet to Minors contracts — Barrett, Chavez, Maroth and Ruiz score Spring Training invites — TORONTO — The Blue Jays continued to add depth to their roster on Tuesday, signing four players to Minor League contracts with invitations to Spring Training.
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Sportsnet.ca:
Jays invite 3 more to Spring camp — The Toronto Blue Jays have signed Michael Barrett, Raul Chavez, Randy Ruiz and pitcher Mike Maroth to minor league contracts and extended invitations for all to attend spring training with the Major League club. — Barrett, 32, has signed …
Richard / SportsJustice:
Salary cap? Tell me you didn't say that, Drayton — Drayton McLane looks pretty darn silly to suggest baseball would be better off with a salary cap. — First, baseball has done pretty well without one. Drayton presumably knows this. — (I've written brilliant columns on this topic.
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Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
With Manny Ramirez talks at stalemate, Dodgers consider Bobby Abreu or Adam Dunn — ‘Manny is our first choice,’ General Manager Ned Colletti says, but stalled negotiations lead club to consider other corner outfielders in what has become a buyer's market. — As the stalemate between Manny Ramirez …
Sports Illustrated:
BoSox interested in trading for Marlins' Ramirez … The Red Sox made a play to re-acquire Marlins superstar Hanley Ramirez after losing out to the rival Yankees for star free agent Mark Teixeira, league sources tell SI.com. But while the Marlins listened to Boston's overtures …
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MLB.com:
Penny, Red Sox strike deal — Right-hander made 17 starts in injury-plagued '08 with Dodgers — BOSTON — When it comes to free-agent starting pitchers, it almost always has been Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein's choice to pass up lucrative, long-term deals in favor of low-risk, high-reward solutions.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
More on Bard — In case you're wondering, a source has confirmed an agreement between the Red Sox and catcher Josh Bard, whom the club eyes as a backup, perhaps to Jason Varitek. The Bard acquisition in no way eliminates the chance of Varitek returning to the club in 2009.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: Snyder agrees to deal … The Arizona Diamondbacks have reached preliminary agreement on a three-year, $14.25 million guaranteed contract extension with catcher Chris Snyder, a baseball source told ESPN.com. — The deal, the completion of which is pending the physical exam …
Lar / wezen-ball:
Through the Years: Jim Rice — Was Jim Rice truly “feared” in his time? — In recent years, it has become very much in vogue to discuss the merits of Jim Rice's candidacy for the Hall of Fame. Similar to Jack Morris, proponents of Rice's candidacy cite two key areas as their basis for support …
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Bad news for Bernie Williams — As you probably know, Bernie Williams joined a winter ball team in Puerto Rico with the idea of playing himself into shape to compete in the World Baseball Classic. — After a 1-for-7 start, I've been told Bernie suffered a serious quad injury.
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Turnbow remains possibility for Marlins — HOUSTONBOSTON - Free-agent right-hander and former Brewers closer Derrick Turnbow has narrowed his options to three teams, including the Marlins. — According to a baseball source, the Marlins are “squarely in the mix” to acquire Turnbow, who turns 31 next month.
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Former Texas Rangers baseman joins minor league staff — rdurrett@dallasnews.com — Former Texas Rangers third baseman Steve Buechele is getting back on the baseball diamond. — The Rangers named Buechele manager of Class A Bakersfield. It's his first coaching job since he retired as a player in 1995.
