Top News:
Richard Justice / Sporting News:
Pettitte's intangibles are as important as his arm — Andy Pettitte brings credibility, a winning attitude and a relentless work ethic to the Yankees. In the end, those things might end up being more valuable than anything he does on the mound. — The Yankees have been overhauled again this winter …
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Matt Gagne / NY Daily News:
David Wells blasts Joe Torre, says he'd ‘knock him out’ — David Wells didn't hold back when he was asked about Joe Torre's new book, “The Yankee Years,” on The Michael Kay Show on 1050 ESPN radio Thursday afternoon - and he may not hold back if he and Torre happen to cross paths.
Mark Hale / New York Post:
NETTLES DEFENDS TORRE — In 1984, Graig Nettles co-authored “Balls” with Peter Golenbock - and it had an impact. — “It got me traded,” Nettles said yesterday. — Joe Torre's book, “The Yankee Years,” has caused a stir this week, because of controversial things said about Alex Rodriguez and general manager Brian Cashman.
Baltimore Sun:
Sources: O's, Cubs talking deal for Hill — Orioles reportedly in the lead among several teams to land Chicago LHP — The Orioles and Chicago Cubs are again involved in trade talks, this time about the Cubs' left-handed starter Rich Hill. According to industry sources …
Discussion:
MVN, The Cub Reporter (TCR), Camden Chat, Oriole Post, Another Cubs Blog, MLB Rumors and Wrigleyville23
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MLB:
Mets sign Armas, Kielty to minor league deals — NEW YORK — Four players coming off poor seasons agreed Thursday to minor league contracts with the New York Mets: outfielder Bobby Kielty, right-handers Tony Armas Jr. and Matt DeSalvo, and left-hander Valerio de los Santos.
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Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:UnBusted Prospects — One of the bigger issues of disagreement between …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Can Braves afford Abreu? Ohman? Glav? — On the eve of the opening session of the Braves' voluntary early pitching camp, it's time to assess the team's remaining priority (besides signing Will Ohman, the blog hopes) as we taxi on the runway before spring training.
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Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Hinske, Pirates agree to terms — Outfielder Eric Hinske and the Pirates have agreed to terms on the one-year contract, as of late this afternoon. — Financial details are not available, but the base salary is around $1.5 million. — Remember, as always, that no contract is signed until a physical is passed.
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Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Varitek, Sox in stare down — With only hours remaining before a team-mandated deadline, the Red Sox and catcher Jason Varitek seem caught in a stare down that could produce an unhappy ending for both the player and club. — According to a baseball source, the deadline by which Varitek must accept …
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, WEEI Blogs, Bugs & Cranks, Fire Brand of the …, Main Board, MLB Rumors, Boston Herald and The Joy of Sox
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Astros ink Newhan to Minors deal — Veteran infielder invited to big league Spring Training camp — HOUSTON — As expected, the Astros inked infielder David Newhan to a Minor League contract on Thursday, and invited him to Spring Training. — Newhan, 35, will compete for a job as a backup infielder …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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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 …
ESPN.com:
Source: Ex-teammates to testify against Bonds … Former major league catcher Bobby Estalella is expected to provide significant testimony to support the government's contention that former San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds knowingly took steroids, according to a source with knowledge of the evidence.
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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 …
Discussion:
Bombers Beat, Hardball Times, iYankees, New Stadium Insider, River Avenue Blues, My Pinstripes and Zell's Pinstripe Blog
Joe Christensen / Around the Majors:
Thursday evening update: Ayala, Crede, Mijares — After breaking off their negotiations with free agent reliever Eric Gagne earlier this week, the Twins continue to explore relief options on the trade and free agent market. — I've heard no specifics on their trade pursuits …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Jim Street / MLB.com:
Olson willing to start or relieve — Newly acquired left-hander just ‘ready to get hitters out’ — Unless something really strange happens, like he gets traded for the third time in about a month, left-hander Garrett Olson will arrive in Arizona in a couple of weeks and compete …
