Top News:
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 …
RELATED:
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:For Varitek, offer may have a catch
Discussion:
Boston Herald, Boston Sports Media Watch, The Bottom Line, Providence Journal and sox1fan.com
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.
Discussion:
24 Hours From Suicide
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Ryan views free agency from other side — Hall of Famer turned Rangers president has unique perspective — ARLINGTON — Rangers president Nolan Ryan is now the head of an organization, but there were times when he was a free agent looking for a job. — The Hall of Fame pitcher has turned …
JSOnline:
Don't believe Perez rumor — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — I just saw this report that Jon Heyman said on the MLB Network that the Brewers might have interest in free agent lefty Oliver Perez. — Don't count on it. — When I ran Perez's name by Brewers general manager …
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.
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Mark Hale / New York Post:
BOWA: TEAMMATE SHOTS AT ALEX ALL IN FUN — Alex Rodriguez may have been referred to as “A-Fraud,” but it was in jest, says former Yankee coach Larry Bowa. — In Joe Torre's latest book, “The Yankee Years,” it's reported that Yankee players referred to A-Rod as “A-Fraud.”
Newsday:
See photos of Joe Torre's managerial career — That observation comes on Page 37 of 477, and before A-Rod even arrives in the Bronx. But it sets the tone: 1996-2001 — good. 2002-2007 — not. — Of course, it is more complicated than that, and the book, due in stores next Tuesday …
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, Fox Sports, New Jersey Online and Replacement Level …
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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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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 …
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 …
MASNsports.com:
MASN Names Rob Dibble As New Color Announcer for Nationals Baseball — 2-Time All Star, World Series Champion, MVP of the NLCS, XM/Sirius Broadcaster — MASN has named Rob Dibble as the new color commentator for the Washington Nationals. He will join play-by-play man Bob Carpenter …
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 …
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Hal on WFAN — Hal Steinbrenner is on WFAN right now with Mike Francesa. — The book: “I'm sure I'll thumb through it and read certain sections.” — His father: “He's looking forward to spring training.” — He said the team is run by committee because he and his brother are involved.
