Top News:
Will Leitch / New York Magazine:
The Mets' Inexplicable Funk — The Mets need you to know that the reason they haven't made a significant signing in a matter of months is not because the Wilpons were fleeced by Bernie Madoff. “Categorically unrelated,” a spokesperson told CNBC. But for a team that has a new stadium opening …
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Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
Pettitte perfect for Mets — he Yankees can find nearly a half-billion dollars to pay three players who, as brilliant as they've performed elsewhere, have yet to do a thing for this franchise. And yet they can't scrape up a nickel more than $10 million for Andy Pettitte …
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Santana rotates to Perez as pick — Johan Santana realizes Derek Lowe would have been “a big part for our team.” But when the free agent rejected the Mets to join the division rival Braves on Tuesday, it wasn't the “end of the world,” Santana said. — In fact, Santana believes the Mets …
Discussion:
New Jersey Online
Chicago Tribune:
Aaron Miles not a lock for Cubs second base job — Miles will compete for 2B job, spell Theriot at shortstop — When the Cubs traded Mark DeRosa to Cleveland the same day they signed free agent Aaron Miles, conventional wisdom suggested Miles would be DeRosa's replacement.
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Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Hendry hunts for pitcher hunt — Lots of free agents remain on the market, and premier trade targets Jake Peavy and Brian Roberts are hanging in varying degrees of limbo. — But as the Cubs approach the last month of their offseason, it looks more likely that what fans see at the Cubs Convention …
Discussion:
GoatRiders of the Apocalypse
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Rangers avoid arbitration with McCarthy — Brandon McCarthy, a former Colorado Springs prep star, avoided arbitration today, signing a one-year, $650,000 contract with the Texas Rangers. — McCarthy was once considered one of the game's top young prospects as he broke in with the world champion White Sox in 2005.
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JSOnline:
Bush signs one-year deal — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — The Brewers knocked off another arbitration-eligible player by signing right-hander Dave Bush to a 2009 contract. — I haven't seen the terms yet but Bush made $2.55 million last season and is in his second year of arbitration eligibility.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Arbitration madness about to begin — Here it comes. We're warning you now. It's the arbitration class of 2009, potentially the most expensive, most sport-rattling arbitration class ever. And it's about to leave a mark on this sport the size of Bryce Canyon.
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Angels skirt arbitration with Figgins — Versatile veteran gets one-year, $5.775M contract for '09 — ANAHEIM — The Angels have agreed to terms with Chone Figgins on a one-year deal, avoiding arbitration with the versatile leadoff man. — Figgins will earn $5,775,000 on his 2009 contract.
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Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Vizquel: Padres would be a ‘great fit’ — Club talking with veteran shortstop, eyes a decision this week — SAN DIEGO — The Padres are seeking depth at shortstop. Omar Vizquel is looking for a job, preferably, he says, in the National League West Division. — Could the two be a match?
Christian Red / NY Daily News:
Beltran gearing up for memorable year — MANATI, Puerto Rico - The crack of the bat echoes throughout the pristine indoor batting cage, Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran drilling line drives from the right side of the plate, even taking a few hacks one-handed.
Jonathan Littman / Yahoo! Sports:
Bonds blockbuster: ‘The Clear’ was legal — Buzz up! — It could explain why Barry Bonds' attorneys believe the grand jury questions to him were impossibly vague and why the focus of the BALCO case veered from prosecuting distributors of illegal anabolic steroids and money launderers …
Discussion:
SPORTSbyBROOKS, Hardball Times, MLB Main, Bugs & Cranks, Deadspin, The Crawfish Boxes and Lone Star Ball
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.
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Dave Sheinin / Nationals Journal:
Nats, A's Revive Nick Johnson Trade Talks — The Nationals and Oakland Athletics, who discussed a potential trade for first baseman Nick Johnson all the way back in November, have revived those talks in recent weeks, according to a source familiar with the discussions.
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.
John Tomase / Boston Herald:
Red Sox' Lars Anderson more than prospect — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio — Just hearing the name Lars Anderson conjures a certain image, like someone pulling a trolley in the World's Strongest Man competition or skating up the wing for Denmark.
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Podsednik getting another shot — Outfielder among nine non-roster invitees to Rockies Spring Training — DENVER — Outfielder Scott Podsednik, a key reserve for the Rockies last season, is one of nine players the club announced Wednesday as non-roster invitees for Spring Training.
Discussion:
Purple Row
