Top News:
ESPN:
Sources: Red Sox, Youkilis agree to deal — The Red Sox locked up another of their young stars to a long-term deal Thursday. — Youkilis — Boston avoided arbitration with Kevin Youkilis, agreeing to a four-year contract with the first baseman worth more than $40 million, sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons.
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Youkilis, Sox ‘close’ on deal — On the day of the deadline for filing for arbitration, the Sox and Kevin Youkilis are “close” to a long-term deal, confirmed a baseball source. — Though ESPN 's Peter Gammons reported the sides had agreed on a four-year, $40 million-plus deal, it is not yet done, according to the source.
Art Martone / Projo Sox Blog:
Sox bring back Mark Kotsay — On a day when they were reported to have reached agreement on a contract extension with Kevin Youkilis, the Red Sox also announced today that they have re-signed Mark Kotsay to a one-year deal. — To make room for Kotsay on the 40-player roster, reliever David Aardsma was designated for assignment.
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?
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres reach terms on Eckstein — The Padres have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with David Eckstein to play second base. — Eckstein, who will turn 34 on Tuesday, batted .265 with two home runs last season and played at both shortstop and second base.
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Opinion: The Basket Solution — Instead of signing Oliver Perez to what could end up being a four-year deal, possibly worth as much as $12 million per season, I suggest the Mets use a ‘Basket Solution.’ — Yesterday, I asked readers of MetsBlog.com what Perez was worth …
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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.
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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.
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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.
Alex Belth / bronxbanterblog.com:
A Death in the Family — It is with a heavy heart that I pass along the news that our colleague and friend Todd Drew passed away last night. According to his wife, “Todd lost the last game of the season in the bottom of the 9th inning just after midnight. His dear friend Michael and I were with him and he went very peacefully.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Garland rejects D-Backs' offer — Looking for stability in their rotation, the Diamondbacks made a run at innings-eater Jon Garland this week, but their offer to the right-hander was rejected on Thursday. — The length and value of the offer is not known, but it had a short shelf-life that expired Thursday.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yankees want Posada to skip Classic — Catcher's father says son has signed to play for Puerto Rico — NEW YORK — Jorge Posada's hopes of playing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic may be dashed by the Yankees, who would prefer to have the catcher physically prepared for Opening Day.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Sporting News:
Dodgers to release Andruw Jones today — Unless they quickly can find a trading partner, the Dodgers are expected to release outfielder Andruw Jones today. MLB.com reports L.A. had trade discussions about Jones with two teams earlier this week, but couldn't finalize a deal.
RELATED:
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:As Mota arrives, Jones on the way out
Discussion:
Talking Chop, True Blue LA, MLB Main, 24 Hours From Suicide, MetsBlog.com, 3:10 to Joba and MLB Rumors
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
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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.
Associated Press:
Big Papi hopes to be OK to play for D.R. in WBC … SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz hopes his injured wrist heals enough to let him play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. — “I have been swinging some and my injured wrist …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
ESPN.com:
Astros: Clemens welcome in camp — as a fan — About this time last year, Roger Clemens was on Capitol Hill fending off the testimony of his former personal trainer, who said he injected the pitcher with steroids and human growth hormone. — One year later, Clemens remains in the news …
Associated Press:
Coin flips eliminated as MLB playoff tiebreakers … PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. (AP) — All postseason games will be played to their conclusion under a change to the major league rules approved Thursday by baseball owners. — Owners also voted to use head-to-head records to replace coin flips …
