Top News:
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Amaro: Eaton not an option; Add Wigginton to your list of names — Well, this should just about settle any talk about Adam Eaton's role, or lack thereof. — Asked today whether Adam Eaton had any chance at establishing himself as the Phillies' No. 5 starter, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said, well, no.
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MLB:
Phils' Utley plans to be ready by Opening Day — PHILADELPHIA — Chase Utley says his rehab from hip surgery is on schedule, and the Philadelphia Phillies second baseman expects to be ready by Opening Day. — Utley — Utley, who underwent right hip surgery Nov. 24, said Saturday he is just weeks away from starting to swing a bat.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Movement in Varitek talks? — Roughly three months after the end of their 2008 season and fewer than three weeks before the start of spring training, the Red Sox have made a formal proposal to catcher Jason Varitek that could end a winter-long stalemate. — One way or the other.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
NY Daily News:
Madden: Big-name veterans getting shut out this winter — Yo, Manny Ramirez, Bobby Abreu, Orlando Hudson, Jon Garland! It's Jan. 25! Hey, Adam Dunn, Orlando Cabrera, Garret Anderson, Jason Varitek, there are only 19 more days till pitchers and catchers report to spring training!
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External / ESPN:
Gammons: WBC a concern for pitchers — This week, the Cubs learned Carlos Marmol was pitching in the Dominican Republic, working feverishly to ready himself to pitch for his country in the World Baseball Classic. — Wonderful. Here's a 26-year-old with dazzling talent …
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yanks to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs — Players to sign autographs at March 24 event in Tampa — The Yankees will put down their bats and pick up their pens again this spring, signing autographs to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay on March 24. — All of the Yankees' biggest names …
Discussion:
Zell's Pinstripe Blog
Hal McCoy / Dayton Daily News:
What's up with Ken Griffey Jr,? — So what's up with George Kenneth Griffey Jr., the man most loved and and most despised by Cincinnati Reds fans - with Adam Dunn a close second in both categories. — Griffey doesn't need to have anybody, “Show me the money,” and he and isn't looking …
Sarah D. Morris / MLB.com:
Sarah's Take: Bring on the season — Dodgers ready to take on the challenges of 2009 — In less than a month, the Dodgers will begin their new season filled with new challenges on their way to the ultimate goal of winning a World Series championship. The Dodgers don't know how they will meet …
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Starting Pitcher: Mets up Offer to Oliver Perez — Last night, on MLB Network's Hot Stove Show, SI.com's Tom Verducci said Omar Minaya would like to reach an agreement with Oliver Perez by the end of the weekend. — According to Jon Heyman, also of SI.com, the Mets have increased their initial offer …
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ESPN:
A's work to lock in Duchscherer, add Springer — The Oakland Athletics' efforts Saturday appear to have gone a long way toward shoring up their pitching staff. — Springer — Duchscherer — Oakland and right-handed starter Justin Duchscherer, the club's last remaining roster player eligible …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Dave Caldwell / New York Times:
Ex-Yankee Raines's New Job Is to Make Bears Winners — ON the January morning that the Newark Bears celebrated their rebirth, a cold, hard rain pelted their ballpark, leaving the outfield to dozens of Canada geese hunting for a late breakfast. It was not a day for one baseball game, let alone two.
Discussion:
My Pinstripes
Harvey Araton / New York Times:
Tear Down Stadium and Build Up the Bronx — Months after its rousing and official farewell, old Yankee Stadium stands strong, proud and in one piece, shuttered but not altogether silenced. — Twenty-two days until pitchers and catchers, its message board atop the outer wall reminded passers …
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sheets poster boy for unsettled offseason — It wasn't that long ago that the Seattle Mariners gave Carlos Silva a four-year, $48 million deal, and it wasn't that long ago that Miguel Batista got $25 million over three years, and Jeff Suppan signed a four-year, $42 million contract.
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Phils add Hollins; Mets sign Mackowiak to minor-league deal — The World Champion Phillies added more bench depth as well, signing Damon Hollins to a $450,000 minor league contract, $65,000 of which is guaranteed. He can request his release if not on the 25-man roster by July 1 …
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