Top News:
Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Varitek, Sox agree to deal — The prolonged negotiations between Jason Varitek and the Red Sox have been resolved, with the catcher agreeing to a contract that will keep him with the club for a 13th season — and perhaps beyond. — Varitek, the popular Red Sox captain who is often praised …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, WEEI Blogs, Boston Sports Media Watch, SULLY BASEBALL, The Bottom Line and MLB Rumors
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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 …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, blogs.trb.com, Ken Davidoff's baseball …, Confessions of a She-Fan and Cursed To First
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 …
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 …
Discussion:
ESPN.com
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: 8 Type A/Bs — By Ben Jones [January 30 at 12:30pm CST] — 12:30pm: In an email, Bloom told me it is a combination of eight Type A and Bs (not eight of each) and whether or not the team offered arbitration has nothing to do with the quota.
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:
Yahoo! Sports, Mets Blog, Mets Merized Online, umpbump.com, Hot Foot, New Jersey Online, Watchdog and The 'Ropolitans
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MLB:
Congressmen want Citigroup out of Citi Field — WASHINGTON — Two congressmen want Citigroup out of Citi Field. — Reps. Dennis Kucinich and Ted Poe sent a letter to new Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Thursday, urging the government to demand that the company drop its $400 million …
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Torre to appear on ‘Larry King Live’ — Dodgers skipper to give first long-form interview on new book — NEW YORK — He doesn't have the answers yet, only an inkling of what they may be. But Larry King does have plenty of questions, and, regarding his next interview subject, a curiosity perhaps keener than most.
Discussion:
Zell's Pinstripe Blog
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Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:Joe Torre puts Dodgers in an awkward situation
Discussion:
ESPN, LA Times Sports Blog, NY Daily News, steinbrennerblog.infozed.com and bronxbanterblog.com
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:David Wells calls Joe Torre a ‘punk’ for telling all in ‘The Yankee Years’
Discussion:
New Jersey Online
Joel Sherman / Mets Blog:
Mets sign Maine, avoid arbitration — The Mets have reached agreement with John Maine on a $2.6 million contract, avoiding arbitration, The Post has learned. Maine also can earn $25,000 by pitching 200 innings. Maine is coming off of surgery to remove spurs from his right shoulder …
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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
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 …
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MLB.com:
Cubs, catcher Paul Bako agree to terms on 2009 contract — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs and catcher Paul Bako have agreed to terms on a 2009 contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. — Bako, 36, last season set career highs with 30 runs scored, 35 RBI and six home runs in 99 games with the Cincinnati Reds.
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.
RELATED:
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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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.
