Top News:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Source: Phils to sign Madson for 3 years — One day after locking up No. 1 starter Cole Hamels for the next three years, the Philadelphia Phillies are on the verge of doing the same with their top set-up man, Ryan Madson. — Madson — The team and Madson have agreed to a three-year …
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Inquirer Online Desk / Philly.com:
Phillies, Madson reach 3-year extension deal — Inquirer staff writer Jim Salisbury reports: — The Phillies and righthanded reliever Ryan Madson have reached agreement on a three-year contract extension, The Inquirer learned today. The deal, which is pending a physical exam, is believed to be for $12 million, with incentives.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Hernandez gets $3.8 million from M's — The Seattle Mariners have signed pitcher Felix Hernandez, who was eligible for arbitration for the first time, to a one-year contract worth $3.8 million. — The Mariners and the right-hander have explored multiyear deals over the last two offseasons, but without success.
MLB.com:
Cards Agree to Terms with Wellemeyer and Duncan — The St. Louis Cardinals agreed to terms today with pitcher Todd Wellemeyer and outfielder Chris Duncan, avoiding salary arbitration with both players. Financial terms of the contracts were not released. — Wellemeyer and Duncan represent …
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs deal Pie to O's for lefty Olson — Outfield prospect struggled during two seasons in Chicago — CHICAGO — It's time for Felix Pie to move on. — On Sunday, the Cubs dealt the outfielder to the Baltimore Orioles for two pitchers, left-hander Garrett Olson and right-hander Henry Williamson.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Wrigley seat licenses? — Selling seat licenses was termed a “possibility” by Cubs management — Most of the first two days of the 2009 Cubs Convention were devoted to dissecting the painful past and looking ahead to the potential of a better ending next October.
Discussion:
Hardball Times
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins find slim pickings behind plate — Florida has Baker, but is hoping to land experienced depth — MIAMI — Speculation has the Marlins weighing whether to pursue Andruw Jones, but according to a baseball source, the team's bigger priority remains finding catching depth.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Source: Rockies sign RHP Street — The Colorado Rockies have signed right-handed reliever Huston Street to a one-year, $4.5 million contract to avoid arbitration, a Major League Baseball source said Monday. — Street — The deal also includes All-Star and award bonuses.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Newsday:
Rice blames Boss, Yanks on never winning a Series — The complaint is not a new one. With the Yankees spending nearly half a billion dollars on three players this offseason - CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira - it is hardly a surprise that the Steinbrenner family again is being blamed …
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Zim: I've recovered from stroke — Despite a recent health scare, Don Zimmer believes he'll be back in uniform next month to add another digit to his Rays' jersey number and bring it to 61 - one for each season he's been in baseball. — Last month, Zimmer says he suffered a “small stroke” …
Discussion:
New Jersey Online
Larry Stone / Seattle Times:
Edgar Martinez is eligible for the Hall of Fame starting with the 2010 ballot — Edgar Martinez is on the Cooperstown clock. — The beloved ex-Mariner can hardly believe his five-year waiting period for Hall of Fame consideration will expire after the 2009 season.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
Robert Macleod / Globe and Mail:
Jays bring back League — TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have come to terms on a new one-year, $640,000 (U.S.) with right-handed reliever Brandon League for the 2009 season. — League, 25, posted a 1-2 record with one save in 31 relief appearances with the American League team last season.
Dylan Hernandez / LA Times Sports Blog:
Dodgers avoid arbitration with Jason Repko — The Dodgers avoided arbitration with outfielder Jason Repko, signing him to a one-year, $500,000 contract. The deal includes $87,500 in incentives based on plate appearances. — Repko, 28, might figure into the Dodgers' plans if they fail to re-sign Manny Ramirez.
