Top News:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets and Cora Agree on One-Year Deal — The Mets were unable to sign Derek Lowe. They are still hoping to re-sign Oliver Pérez. In the meantime, they have reached a deal with another player represented by Scott Boras, agreeing in principle with the utility player Alex Cora to a one-year …
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David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Santana looks doubtful for WBC — Johan Santana just completed a conference call with reporters a few minutes ago and it looks like he's doubtful for the World Baseball Classic as he recovers from offseason knee surgery. Santana pitched the final month of last season with a torn meniscus …
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yankees invite 20 to spring training — This release from the Yankees: — YANKEES INVITE 20 PLAYERS TO 2009 SPRING TRAINING — The New York Yankees announced today that they have invited 20 non-roster players to 2009 Spring Training in Tampa, Fla. The list includes four pitchers …
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MLB.com:
Yankees Invite 20 Players to 2009 Spring Training — The New York Yankees announced today that they have invited 20 non-roster players to 2009 Spring Training in Tampa, Fla. The list includes four pitchers, five catchers, seven infielders and four outfielders. The total number of players now scheduled to report is 60.
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
Matt Eddy / Baseball America:
Minor League Transactions — This installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between Dec. 24, 2008, and Jan. 12, 2009. The previous installment is available here. — Arizona Diamondbacks — Signed: 2B Guillermo Reyes — Baltimore Orioles
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats ink Towers to Minor League deal — Veteran right-hander gets invite to Spring Training — WASHINGTON — The Nationals signed right-hander Josh Towers to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. — Towers spent entire 2008 season with Triple-A Colorado Springs and went 6-7 with a 6.27 ERA in 31 games.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
New York Post:
RICKEY TO BIG LEAGUE GMS: DON'T LOSE MY NUMBER — YES, he's a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but Rickey Henderson is not done. — If some major league team calls, Rickey still wants to play, be it with the A's or anybody, one day, one week, one season, whatever; his door is wide open.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
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Charles Odum / Associated Press:
Smoltz: Braves 'always assumed he wouldn't leave' — ATLANTA — John Smoltz returned to Atlanta on Wednesday to make it clear he'll always cherish the city that has been his home since 1988. — “Twenty-two years is a long time and I don't think you ever take it for granted and I never will,” he said.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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Rob Bradford / Archive:
How John Smoltz Convinced The Red Sox He Was Worth A Chance — The viewpoints of Nick Scherer and the Red Sox weren't all that different. — “When I think of a great pitcher,” said Director of Operations for the Georgia Tech baseball team, “I think of John Smoltz.”
For the Record:
Live Fan Feed — You really are a delightful young lady! — recca made a Throwdown comment on If any single player deserved to have an unanimous HOF vote, it is the Georgia Peach. on 01/14/09 at 20:27:50 PM ET — Actually if you look at the voting procedure for baseball writers …
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Marc Topkin / The Heater:
Gross gets $1.255-million from Tampa Bay Rays — The Rays avoided arbitration with OF Gabe Gross by settling on a one-year, $1.255-million deal. — Gross, 29, hit .242 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs in 127 games for the Rays last season after being acquired in April from Milwaukee …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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Associated Press:
Baseball owners: Time to reconsider salary cap — PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. (AP) — Some baseball owners say it may be time to reconsider a salary cap after the New York Yankees spent nearly a half-billion dollars on free agents during a recession that may cause some teams to retrench.
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Tigers avoid arbitration with Rodney — Fernando Rodney spent part of this winter playing with former Rockie Ray King in the Dominican Republic. He's preparing for the possibility that he could be the Detroit Tigers' closer. Detroit is still examining its free agent options …
MLB.com:
Angels agree to terms on 2009 contract with Chone Figgins — ANAHEIM — The Angels on Wednesday agreed to terms on a 2009 contract with infielder Chone Figgins, thus avoiding arbitration. This announcement was made by general manager Tony Reagins. Per club policy, no terms of the contract will be released.
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Stark among Mariners' spring invitees — Seattle bringing 17 non-roster players to camp next month — SEATTLE — It has been almost five years since right-hander Denny Stark pitched in a Major League game and nearly 13 years since he was selected by the Mariners in the fourth round in the First-Year Player Draft.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
As Mota arrives, Jones on the way out — Dodgers finalize deal with reliever, will set outfielder free Thursday — LOS ANGELES — After officially adding reliever Guillermo Mota to the roster on Wednesday, the Dodgers will officially subtract Andruw Jones from the roster on Thursday.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Bruce / Chicago's Inside Pitch:
'I'm open to winning' — It was a whirlwind hour today at Harry Caray's downtown, where the Cubs kicked off their caravan. Lou wasn't there because he's nursing an illness, but GM Jim Hendry was there, as were Lou's coaches. — Of the players who made it, one of the most sought …
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Astros likely out of free-agent market — Economic downturn, swollen payroll influencing GM's hesitance — HOUSTON — The free-agent market is flush with dozens of quality free agents, but don't expect the Astros to jump in on any bargain-bidding wars in the days leading up to Spring Training.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
