Top News:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Lowe agrees to $60 million deal with Braves — The Braves finally have their ace. — They've agreed to terms with veteran pitcher Derek Lowe on a four-year, $60 million contract, a person familiar with negotiations said this morning. The deal will be finalized after Lowe takes a physical Wednesday.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Boston Globe, Sabernomics, Mets Blog, Baseball Insider, NJ.com, Can't Stop The Bleeding, MLB Rumors, Braves Blast, True Blue LA, Productive Outs …, Jorge Says No!, Dodger Thoughts, LA Times Sports Blog, Mets Merized Online, River Avenue Blues, Mostly Mets, Mets Heads, Walkoff Walk, Projo Sox Blog, The 'Ropolitans, Talking Chop, 24 Hours From Suicide, Sliding Into Home, Chop-n-Change and Amazin' Avenue
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: Braves make 4-year, $60M offer — Free-agent pitcher Derek Lowe has received a four-year, contract offer worth about $60 million from the Braves, and indications are that he's leaning strongly toward signing with Atlanta, a baseball source told ESPN.com.
Discussion:
Zell's Pinstripe Blog, umpbump.com, This Purist Bleeds Pinstripes, MLB FanHouse, Hardball Times, Loge 13, Bucs Dugout and Angels blog
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Lowe's talks with Braves heating up … Free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe is in serious discussions with the Atlanta Braves, SI.com has learned. — The Braves are trying hard to finalize a deal that would solidify their rotation. The deal for Lowe is believed to be for close to $60 million over four years.
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Lowe goes to Braves … Star free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe is heading to the Braves, SI.com has learned. — Lowe will soon sign with Atlanta, according to officials with both the Mets and Phillies, the two other National League division rivals in contention for Lowe.
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Smoltz introduced — John Smoltz had not held up a new jersey and slapped on a new cap for 23 years, since he was an 18-year old draft choice of his hometown Detroit Tigers. He spent 22 years with one team, the Atlanta Braves, re-upping each time free agency arrived.
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ESPN.com:
Smoltz says he's determined, focused — BOSTON — John Smoltz has signed with the Boston Red Sox, confident he can still contribute after 20 years with the Atlanta Braves and major offseason shoulder surgery. — Smoltz — “I'm as determined and I'm as focused as I've ever been,” …
Discussion:
Fox Sports
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Smoltz excited to join Red Sox — Veteran right-hander could be ready by Opening Day if needed — BOSTON — In a career in which John Smoltz has done virtually everything — from winning a Cy Young Award and a World Series championship, to notching 3,000 strikeouts and having sustained dominance …
TheNaturalMevs / Diamond Hoggers:
An Exclusive Virtual Tour of New Yankee Stadium — On the day that the Yankees unveil a new patch commemorating their new palace, we present you with one of the first inside looks at the new stadium. This tour comes courtesy of us from Editor George's roommate (thanks George).
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ESPN.com:
Yankees president subpoenaed over stadium — ALBANY, N.Y. — A New York Assembly committee investigating the use of millions of dollars in public funding to build the new Yankee Stadium has subpoenaed the team's president. — Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, a Democrat from Westchester County …
Discussion:
This Purist Bleeds Pinstripes
Rich Lederer / Baseball Analysts:
Hey Man, Your Comments Don't Hold Water — “I never thought [Bert Blyleven] was a Hall of Famer when he was playing, and I saw him play his entire career.” — “[His popularity] is based on a lot of younger people on the Internet who never saw him play.” — “It's not about stats...it's about impact.”
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Michael Young's likely move is to third base, not a new team … Longtime Rangers star Michael Young doesn't want to move to third base. But at this point that seems to be a more likely option for him than moving to another team. With five years and $62 million remaining on his contract …
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Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Pirates invite Monroe, Perez to camp — The Pirates today signed outfielder Craig Monroe and catcher Miguel Perez to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training. — There now are 14 non-roster invitees.
Duk / Yahoo! Sports:
Mets' pizza patch the laughingstock of baseball uniform world — If you're the type of person who doesn't spend much time thinking about sleeve patches on uniforms, don't worry. — Neither do the Mets. — The team recently unveiled the logo to celebrate their upcoming first season …
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Enter smiling — Long wait ends as Sox slugger Rice, never one to court the media, wins writers' votes for Hall of Fame in last time on ballot — He crushed baseballs for 16 Boston summers, rarely pausing to take a bow, shake a hand, or play the fool for the 6 o'clock standup.
