Top News:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers looking to land Vizquel — Gold Glove-winning veteran would provide another option at shortstop — The Rangers' infield situation has taken an interesting twist, as the team is trying to sign free-agent shortstop Omar Vizquel for what will likely be a utility role.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Varitek, Henry meet for 90 minutes — Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek and owner John Henry met for approximately 90 minutes near the player's Atlanta-area home tonight, but it remains unclear as to whether Varitek is any closer to returning to the team. — Communicating via text message …
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Chad Finn / Boston Globe:Youkilis transcript — The Red Sox held a press conference …
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays' senior adviser Don Zimmer recovering from small stroke — ST. PETERSBURG — Senior adviser Don Zimmer is recovering from a small stroke suffered last month and hopes to join the Rays in spring training for what would be his 61st season in the game.
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers' discussions with Lyon ongoing — Reliever may make decision next week; Parrish weighing options — DETROIT — The Tigers continue to hold discussions with the agent for free-agent reliever Brandon Lyon, who could end up making a decision on a team next week.
Discussion:
TigerBlog
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Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Twins focus on relievers Lyon, Gagne — Club pursuing relievers for setup role behind closer Nathan — MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins have spent all winter searching for relief help and now that search appears to be focused on two free-agent pitchers who could be options for the club's setup role — Brandon Lyon and Eric Gagne.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yankees Hearing Offers for Swisher and Nady — On his official Web site, Nick Swisher is depicted in a Yankees uniform, staring out at a pitcher as he wags his bat over his head. The photo has obviously been altered — Swisher has a beard, for one thing — and the scene it depicts may never come to pass.
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Dobbs agrees to two-year deal with Phillies; Oliver signs with Angels — Greg Dobbs, a key role player for the Phillies, has found a measure of security with his new World Series ring. Dobbs agreed to a two-year, $2.5-million contract today. — Dobbs, who hit .301 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
City Approves $370.9 Million to Complete Yankee Stadium — New York City's Industrial Development Agency approved $370.9 million in primarily tax-exempt bonds on Friday to finish construction of Yankee Stadium with all the upgrades the team had sought, from better security to a new scoreboard to replace one that did not meet its needs.
Discussion:
My Pinstripes
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Gary Armida / fullcountpitch.com:
Pitching Perspectives with Rick Peterson — An Overview of 4 Key Issues of Major League Pitching — If one was to poll major league executives, players, and coaches along with fans and the media about the most important element for the success of a team, the resounding answer would be pitching.
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Team could draw fewer than 2 million because of low season ticket sales — Sharp declines in Padres season ticket sales could result in home attendance dropping below 2 million for the first time since the 1994 season was cut short by a labor dispute. — Season ticket sales were at about 15,000 entering the 2008 season.
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Springer not in Cardinals' 2009 plans — Veteran hurler says club decided to go with younger options — ST. LOUIS — Russ Springer has decided he wants to pitch another year — at least one more year. The Cardinals have decided that it won't happen in St. Louis.
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins discuss Andruw Jones — If Andruw Jones doesn't return to the Atlanta Braves, he might find a landing spot in South Florida. — According to a baseball source, the Marlins have conducted internal discussions about Jones, who the Dodgers released Thursday after restructuring …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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