Top News:
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Torre, in Interview, Talks About Cashman and the Book — It was another picturesque morning in Hawaii on Sunday when Joe Torre felt the need to call Brian Cashman. Torre had just learned that several New York newspapers, in describing Torre's new book, were implying that the former Yankees …
Discussion:
MLB.com, River Avenue Blues, LA Times Sports Blog, Sliding Into Home, iYankees and PE.com
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John Harper / NY Daily News:
A-Rod scoffs at Joe-Fraud — Alex Rodriguez told friends Monday that he is “not bothered at all” by the reports that Joe Torre apparently took some shots at him in his forthcoming book, and dismissed talk of an “A-Fraud” persona or any Derek Jeter obsession as old news that no longer applies to his standing in the Yankee clubhouse.
Keeli Garza / Foul Territory:
More Hope? — The Andy Pettitte signing with the Yankees, apparently taking them out of the Ben Sheets sweepstakes, wasn't the only news Tuesday that could impact the Rangers and their starting rotation. — The Boston Herald, citing a source close to the negotiations …
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Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Mets ‘a little bit closer’ to re-signing Perez — With less than three weeks to go before spring training, a baseball source said Tuesday that the Mets are “a little bit closer” to re-signing lefthander Oliver Perez, but also are continuing talks with three other remaining free-agent pitchers.
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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Manuel: Mets' kitchen open for business — Selfless skipper says club has ingredients to contend this season — NEW YORK — The question certainly didn't strike Jerry Manuel as preposterous, though it did give him pause. — “Manny Ramirez?” he asked, as though the surname were in question.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Ben Shpigel / Bats:
Manuel: ‘No Question’ Reyes Is a Leader — Jerry Manuel sees no need to designate a captain when he has a capable group of players policing the Mets' clubhouse. That leadership core includes David Wright, Johan Santana, Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran. According to Manuel, it is poised to gain another member: Jose Reyes.
CBSSports.com Sports News, Fantasy Scores …:
Clearing spot for Pettitte, Yanks designate Wright for assignment — CBSSports.com wire reports — NEW YORK — Left-hander Chase Wright was designated for assignment Tuesday by the New York Yankees to clear a roster spot for Andy Pettitte. — The 25-year-old was a combined 10-3 …
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Wright is designated — To make room for Andy Pettitte on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated LHP Chase Wright for assignment.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Pirates talking to Luis Gonzalez — The Pirates are talking to free-agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez, with their most recent discussion having occurred late last week. — Gonzalez, 41, a career .283 hitter with 354 home runs and impeccable leadership credentials, batted .261 with eight home runs …
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Jenifer Langosch / Hot Stove Blog:
Pirates targeting Hinske — According to a baseball industry source, the Pirates have their sights set on free agent outfielder Eric Hinske as the team searches for a fourth outfielder and bench option. Discussions between the two sides have increased to the point where the Pirates …
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies sign Ubaldo to four-year deal — Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd was determined to lock up Ubaldo Jimenez long-term in a short window of time. Colorado signed the right-hander to a four-year contract today, with two club option seasons in 2013 and '14.
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New York Post:
ON 2ND THOUGHT, PUT JOBA IN 'PEN — NOW that Andy Pettitte is signed, sealed and finally delivered, it's time the Yankees throw a high, hard one at the opposition. Forget about Joba Chamberlain being in the rotation - he needs to go back to the bullpen. From Day 1 of spring training.
Discussion:
Heartland Pinstripes, The Chuck Knoblog, FanGraphs Baseball, New Jersey Online and Replacement Level …
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Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Former Sky Sox Villarreal signs with Royals, Castro joins Dodgers — Oscar Villarreal landed with the Rockies last summer as an intriguing addition. A big-league veteran, he was seen as a possible reinforcement after regaining his groove in Triple-A Colorado Springs.
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers likely done adding pieces — With spring approaching, final spot may be filled by non-roster invitee — MILWAUKEE — Was free-agent infielder Craig Counsell the final piece of the Brewers' offseason puzzle? — Perhaps. The Brewers may still add a starting pitcher before the start …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
GOODEN DENIES RADOMSKI CLAIM — Dwight Gooden denied accusations by steroid peddler Kirk Radomski that Radomski twice took urine tests for him in the early 1990s. Radomski made the claim in an interview with ESPN's “Outside the Lines” and in his new book “Bases Loaded,” due out this week.
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Manny stalemate wears on in LA — With slugger weighing options, GM Colletti turning to pitching market — LOS ANGELES — Almost three months after Manny Ramirez filed for free agency, his market is finally heating up, agent Scott Boras said. — “We are negotiating with several teams,” Boras said Monday night.
John Updike / New Yorker:
HUB FANS BID KID ADIEU — Fenway Park, in Boston, is a lyric little bandbox of a ballpark. Everything is painted green and seems in curiously sharp focus, like the inside of an old-fashioned peeping-type Easter egg. It was built in 1912 and rebuilt in 1934, and offers, as do most Boston artifacts …
Duk / Yahoo! Sports:
The Baseball Tattoo Hall of Fame: Mickey Mantle and Pete Rose — Holy Chuck Hustle, Batman! I think we've finally found a few tats that can beat that Brewers + Grateful Dead job we posted last summer. The above tattoos of Mickey Mantle (leg) and Pete Rose (arm) were both done …
