Top News:
Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
Yankees mulling confidentiality agreements — The Yankees are considering including a “non-disparagement clause” in future player and managerial contracts in order to prevent any more tell-all books such as “The Yankee Years,” co-written by Joe Torre and Tom Verducci.
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FanIQ Blog:
If You Ever Wondered Why Roger Clemens Always Looked So Angry, Tom Verducci Has The Answer. — Much has been made of Tom Verducci's book The Yankee Years, scheduled to be released Feb. 3rd, where Joe Torre rips current and former Yankees personnel. — There have already been several snippets …
Discussion:
Deadspin
Craig Calcaterra / Hardball Times:
Take the high road, New York — I've had about as much fun with the Joe Torre book as anyone, but this is profoundly stupid: … There's a big difference between confidentiality regarding trade secrets and proprietary information on the one hand and a simple “don't say bad things about us after you're gone” requirement on the other.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball
Harvey Araton / Bats:
Jeter Owns Up to Taking Stadium Souvenir — Tampa, Fla. — Derek Jeter came clean Wednesday night. He pilfered the Joe DiMaggio sign, as I suspected. — When I had last seen Jeter before covering the kickoff party to his celebrity golf classic for his Turn 2 Foundation at the Saddlebrook Resort …
Larry Stone / Mariners Blog:
Mariners sign Mike Sweeney — It's a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. Sweeney has Tacoma connections and I know has always had interest in playing for the Mariners. His wife, the daughter of former major-leaguer Jim Nettles (who is brother of Graig Nettles) is from the Tacoma area.
Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Pirates, Maholm agree to 3-year deal — The Pirates and their top pitcher, Paul Maholm, this morning reached agreement on a three-year contract extension, plus a club option for a fourth, with only a physical remaining until there is a signing. That is expected today or tomorrow. — More details to come.
Discussion:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Beyond the Box Score, whygavs.com, MLB Rumors, Pittsburgh Lumber Co. and Bucs Dugout
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Many ways for Series to become Super — Here at Rumblings and Grumblings, we know exactly what the World Series is — namely, the most historic championship extravaganza in sports. — We also know precisely what the Super Bowl is — namely, the most convenient sports excuse ever invented to goof off …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Jay Jaffe / Baseball Prospectus:
Is Baseball Really Recession-Proof? — “I've lived through a lot of economic recessions in my day. I've never seen anything like this. And neither has anybody else. ... And so while, in the past, I've felt baseball was recession-proof, this is different.” —Bud Selig
Discussion:
Squawking Baseball
Andy Baggarly / Baseball America:
San Francisco Giants — Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched …
Discussion:
Extra Baggs
Joe Christensen / Around the Majors:
Crede drawing new offers; Twins on hold — Free agent third baseman Joe Crede looked good in Wednesday's workout in Arizona, triggering some new contract offers, but none so far from the Twins, an insider told the Star Tribune today. — The Twins had Sean Johnson, their Western Scouting Supervisor …
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Escobar Excites With D In Venezuela — Milwaukee's Double-A Huntsville club was a nightmare for Southern League pitchers in 2008. — Huntsville routinely rolled out a prospect-heavy lineup, mixing in Matt LaPorta, Mat Gamel, Angel Salome, Michael Brantley, Lorenzo Cain and Cole Gillespie throughout the season.
Associated Press:
Mets still interested in bringing Pedro back in '09 … SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya says the club is interested in signing pitcher Pedro Martinez to a new contract. — The Mets' four-year, $53 million deal with Martinez expired after last season.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, New Jersey Online, MLB Rumors, Mets Blog, The Mets Are Better Than Sex and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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MLB.com:
Mariners Acquire LHP Garrett Olson, INF Ronny Cedeno From Cubs — Seattle sends RHP Aaron Heilman to Chicago — SEATTLE, Wash. — Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik today announced that the club has acquired left-handed pitcher Garrett Olson …
Discussion:
Major League Baseball
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Ben Shpigel / Bats:A Heilman Homecoming — Just a few days ago, Steve Kelley …
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Ya Gotta Believe
