Top News:
ESPN:
Pettitte, Yankees near 1-year deal — The New York Yankees and Andy Pettitte are close on a deal that will bring the veteran left-hander back for a year, Major League Baseball sources told Buster Olney on Monday. — Pettitte — The deal, sources told Olney, could be done as soon as Monday afternoon.
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John Harper / NY Daily News:
Sources: Pettitte to sign 1-year deal with Yanks — It made too much sense all along for them not to do it, and finally the Yankees and Andy Pettitte have essentially agreed on a one-year deal that will put him in pinstripes again this season. — Final details are still being worked out …
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Pettitte holding onto his pinstripes — Veteran left-hander signs incentive-laden, one-year deal — NEW YORK — Andy Pettitte is still a Yankee. — Yankees GM Brian Cashman held a conference call with Pettitte on Monday afternoon to announce that they agreed to a one-year contract …
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Pettitte's deal is done — Conference call in a few minutes. I'll post some audio as soon as I can. — It's a $5.5 million deal that could balloon to as much as $12 million based on innings pitched and roster time. As I've written here for weeks, it makes complete sense and creates great flexibility in the rotation.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:Yankees Sign Andy Pettitte
Discussion:
NJ.com, MLB FanHouse, The Yankee Scrolls, The Chuck Knoblog, Mets Merized Online and MVN
Sports Illustrated:
Revealing excerpt from Joe Torre's new book … So, do you want me to manage? — Joe Torre began the meeting with that simple question. He was sitting in the Legends Field office of George Steinbrenner. There was a time, as recently as only 24 months earlier, when Torre could look …
RELATED:
Joshua Robinson / Bats:Torre's Book: Rodriguez to Pavano, and Plenty in Between
Discussion:
iYankees
MLB.com:
Royals sign Zack Greinke to a four-year contract through 2012 — The Kansas City Royals today signed right-handed pitcher Zack Greinke to a four-year contract through the 2012 season. Consistent with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. — The 25-year old Greinke …
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Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Jays sign Lane, Fahey to Minors deals — Outfielder, infielder both receive invites to Spring Training — TORONTO — The Blue Jays added a pair of players on Monday, signing outfielder Jason Lane and infielder Brandon Fahey to Minor League contracts that included invitations to attend Spring Training with the big league club.
Marc Berman / New York Post:
MARBURY CONFIRMS OFFER FROM CELTICS — BLASTS KNICKS ‘KIDS GAMES’ — The banished Stephon Marbury acknowledged for the first time yesterday he has a verbal commitment from the Celtics - and accused the Knicks of not accepting his latest buyout offer because they don't want him winning a championship in Boston.
David Gassko / Hardball Times:
It's The Hardball Times Season Preview 2009 — Whether you're a fanatical fantasy player, or just want to see what's up with your favorite team, the THT Season Preview 2009 is just for you. — This annotated week in baseball history: Jan. 18-Jan. 24, 1972 — Posted Friday by Richard Barbieri
Discussion:
Lookout Landing, Amazin' Avenue, On Baseball and the Reds, Camden Chat, Beyond the Box Score, whygavs.com and Cubs f/x
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers, Byrd closing in on contract — Outfielder is last unsigned player on team to file for arbitration — ARLINGTON — The Rangers are close to signing Marlon Byrd to a one-year contract that would avoid an arbitration hearing. — Byrd is the last unsigned Ranger who filed for arbitration.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Outfield a question mark for Braves — Francoeur locked in right, but two spots empty as spring nears — ATLANTA — The Braves are just a little more than three weeks away from holding their first full squad workout, and as they enter January's final week, they still haven't finalized plans for two of their outfield spots.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Varitek, Boras mulling offer — While a source has confirmed that Jason Varitek would earn $5 million this year under terms of the Red Sox' latest offer — which includes a second-year option — the question now is whether the veteran catcher might be better served with a straight one-year deal instead.
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Ladies and gentlemen: The MexHex — Introducing — and debunking? — a theory on Hernandez's curse — NEW YORK — So, you all were so sure you knew the reason for the Mets' collapses the last two seasons. Blame it on the bullpen, you said; and the offense disappeared at the least opportune times.
Matt Eddy / Baseball America:
Minor League Transactions — This installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between Jan. 17 to 23. The previous installment is available here. — Atlanta Braves — Signed: C Alvin Colina — Baltimore Orioles — Traded: RHP Randor Bierd to Red Sox for RHP David Pauley
Derek Carty / Hardball Times:
What's the best BABIP estimator? — BABIP is a stat that lots of people like to throw around but many don't fully understand (even some who profess to be statistically inclined). — Background info — BABIP stands for Batting Average on Balls in Play. It measures the rate at which balls in play fall in for hits.
Red / Surviving Grady:
My Breakfast With Heidi: The Watney Interview — We were fortunate to have recently been given the opportunity to interview NESN's own Heidi Watney. Of course, as our reputations precede us, this interview was conducted from what is scientifically referred to as “a safe distance.”
