Top News:
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Morning update on Varitek — If you've read the latest Jason Varitek update and are expecting an answer by 8:30 a.m., be advised: agent Scott Boras is based on the West Coast, which means an answer may not be coming until perhaps the middle of the day. — According to a source …
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Decision time looming for Varitek, Sox — Captain's future should be determined by the end of Friday — BOSTON — The topic that has engulfed Red Sox Nation for more than three months is finally on the verge of closure. At some point on Friday, Jason Varitek's status …
Jayson Stark / MLB:
Sources: Varitek's signing deadline a ‘creation’ — The Friday morning deadline for Jason Varitek to accept the Boston Red Sox's “final” contract offer doesn't actually exist, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. — The Red Sox have told Varitek's agent, Scott Boras …
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.
RELATED:
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:David Wells calls Joe Torre a ‘punk’ for telling all in ‘The Yankee Years’
Discussion:
New Jersey Online
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Yankees reached free-agent quota — Unless limit raised, Bombers cannot sign any more Type As or Bs — The most commonly held misconception of this offseason is that the Yankees could have signed pitcher Ben Sheets or could still sign left-fielder Manny Ramirez if only there were a few …
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Ben Jones / MLB Rumors:
Free Agent Quota — By Ben Jones [January 30 at 10:44am CST] — 10:44am: Brian Cashman told Peter Abraham the Yankees could sign up to eight Type A free agents if they wanted to. Cashman's exact quote shows less certainty: — “I'm not sure of the exact number, but it's one we won't worry about either way.”
Matt Gagne / NY Daily News:
Manny marchers take Manhattan — Chants of “Man-ny! Man-ny!” drowned out the sound of traffic zipping up Sixth Ave. Thursday night as rabid Mets fans gathered outside SportsNet New York's studios and mugged for the cameras, imploring the Wilpons and Omar Minaya to bring free agent Manny Ramirez to Queens.
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Opinion: Manny-Mania hits New York City — Last night, a group of 30 die-hard Mets fans gathered outside the SNY studios, on air during the network's Mets Hot Stove show, in what they described as the Million Manny March, while chanting, “Manny, Manny,” with some carrying signs …
Keith Herbert / Newsday:
Pols call for Mets to scrap Citigroup naming rights deal — The Mets' new stadium, Citi Field, has drawn the ire of two members of the House of Representatives. Citigroup is going through with its $400 million stadium naming-rights deal despite its financial troubles. (Newsday / Viorel Flrescu)
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online, umpbump.com, New Jersey Online, Hot Foot, MetsBlog.com, The 'Ropolitans and Watchdog
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Mets sign Maine, avoiding arbitration — Right-hander reportedly agrees to one-year contract — The Mets avoided arbitration with John Maine by signing him to a one-year contract worth $2.6 million, according to the New York Post. — The deal for Maine, eligible for arbitration for the first time, gives him a significant raise.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Mark Hale / New York Post:
PEDRO PLANS TO USE WBC AS LAST AUDITION — Pedro Martinez's plan is to pitch in the World Baseball Classic and reveal what he can still offer a major league team in 2009, The Post has learned. — Martinez is a free agent, but if the legendary ace doesn't have a team by spring training, the WBC will act as his audition.
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Peter Schmuck / The Schmuck Stops Here:
Orioles: Millar time is up — Talked to Kevin Millar tonight on my WBAL show and he confirmed that he has been told the Orioles definitely are going in a new direction and that he will not be coming back in a reserve role. — Not that it's a big surprise.
Canadian Press:
Ridiculed extra-inning rule to be used in World Baseball Classic — NEW YORK — The ridiculed international rule to start an extra inning with two runners on base will be used at this year's World Baseball Classic, where it will be implemented beginning in the 13th inning.
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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.
RELATED:
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:Giambis Are Likely to Testify at Bonds's Trial
Discussion:
Hardball Times
Dan McLaughlin / Hardball Times:
The path to Cooperstown: the catchers — For my fourth annual THT column on position players and the Hall of Fame, I'm taking an in-depth look at a group not represented on this year's BBWAA ballot and with only one post-1920 representative on the Veterans' Committee ballot (Joe Torre …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Martin changes name, attitude for '09 — All-Star honoring mother, working on new ways of preparation — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have a new catcher this year, and we're not talking about backup Brad Ausmus. — As the lettering on the back of his jersey will attest this spring, it's …
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:
MLB Rumors, GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, The Cub Reporter (TCR), MVN, Oriole Post and Camden Chat
Tom Koch-Weser / STATS:
WHIFF PROFILE: AARON HEILMAN — On Wednesday, the Mariners and Cubs brokered a three-player deal involving one of the biggest trading chips of the offseason, Aaron Heilman. His stock bottomed-out following a tumultuous 2008 season, when he and the rest of the Mets bullpen seemed destined to fail every time out.
Discussion:
Hardball Times
