Top News:
NY Daily News:
Cone spills juice on Torre's clubhouse — Joe Torre claims in the new book he wrote with Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci that he didn't know his Yankee teams were fueled by steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. — But in “The Yankee Years,” David Cone said the players had a good idea about who was juicing.
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
Torre Says Cashman Didn't Betray Him — 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 manager felt betrayed by Cashman, the team's general manager.
Mike Lupica / NY Daily News:
Lupica: Torre has to stand up and stay true to his word — Joe Torre never seemed to speak in anger or in haste. Sometimes you got the idea he measured his words in a measuring cup. There were times when you thought he might give in to a big temper and blow off steam. Sure there were.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online
Dom Amore / Hartford Courant:
Sox's Lester, Yankees' Chamberlain In Fairfield — FAIRFIELD - The various Yankees acquisitions this winter do not worry Jon Lester. A potential Red Sox subtraction does. — “I don't want to think about that,” Lester said, when asked about the possibility of losing catcher Jason Varitek.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Providence Journal, New York Times, Boston Sports Media Watch and MY BASEBALL BIAS
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Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Varitek deadline clarified — Amid confusion about the actual deadline for Jason Varitek to accept or decline the Red Sox' latest contract offer, a baseball source indicated tonight that the player was given “one week” to make a decision in a letter both he and agent Scott Boras received from the club on Friday, Jan. 23.
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, CBSSports.com Sports News …, Can't Stop The Bleeding, SOX & Dawgs and MLB.com
Dylan Hernandez / LA Times Sports Blog:
Agent: Manny Ramirez should be signed by the start of spring training — Manny Ramirez should be signed by the start of spring training, his agent said Tuesday night. — “I can't put a timetable on this, but I know that spring training is a long time away,” Scott Boras said.
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Cubs Close To Acquiring Aaron Heilman — By Tim Dierkes [January 28 at 10:25am CST] — According to ESPN Radio's Bruce Levine, the Cubs are close to acquiring pitcher Aaron Heilman from the Mariners. The Ms want shortstop Ronny Cedeno and pitching in return.
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Soriano OK with not being leading man — Left fielder also says he wants to play all 162 games — Just into the third year of an eight-year, $136 million contract, it is becoming clear Alfonso Soriano has no leg to stand on—so to speak—in insisting he bat leadoff.
Discussion:
RosenBlog, MLB FanHouse, Bleed Cubbie Blue, GoatRiders of the Apocalypse and Wrigleyville23
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Jimenez in for long haul — O'Dowd believes that signing the pitcher to a $10 million deal is a worthwhile gamble. — The Denver Post — Ubaldo Jimenez doesn't so much pitch as put his foot on the accelerator. No one lastseason threw more pitches over 95 mph than the right-hander.
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:Rockies sign Ubaldo to four-year deal
Discussion:
Bad Altitude, FanGraphs Baseball, Rocky Mountain News, All Things Rockies, Up in the Rockies and MLB Rumors
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
D-backs may be closing in on Garland — Free-agent right-hander could fill void left by Johnson's departure — PHOENIX — The D-backs and free-agent pitcher Jon Garland are closing in on a deal, according to an industry source. — Garland, 29, turned down a contract offer from the club two weeks ago …
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 …
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Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:Pirates talking to Luis Gonzalez
Discussion:
Raise the Jolly Roger, MLB FanHouse, Florida Marlins, MVN, whygavs.com, MLB Rumors and Bucs Dugout
Craig Calcaterra / Hardball Times:
The Marlins' moment of truth — Miami-Dade officials have set the vote — and released the final renderings and sketches and stuff — for the Marlins' new stadium: … You all know how I feel about publicly-funded stadiums, so for philosophical reasons I'm hoping this doesn't pass.
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 …
Discussion:
Pinstripes, Pa., Bronx Baseball Daily, IT IS HIGH, IT IS FAR, IT IS and River Avenue Blues
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Precedent set for McDonald to 'pen — Dodgers went with same strategy with Billingsley in 2007 — LOS ANGELES — Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, in town last week to work with the young pitchers in the Winter Developmental minicamp, said one of the reasons James McDonald is being moved to the bullpen is Chad Billingsley.
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Drew Silva / MLB Rumors:
Royals Ink Villarreal To Minor League Deal — By Drew Silva [January 27 at 5:37pm CST] — According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Royals have signed right-hander Oscar Villarreal to a minor league contract. — The deal is worth $400K and includes an invitation to spring training.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
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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:
umpbump.com
