Top News:
Gordon Edes / Yahoo! Sports:
Varitek saga might be lesson for Ramirez — Buzz up! — Memo to Manny Ramirez, wherever you are: — Scott Boras always swings for the fences, and has a better batting average than most. But if you're still counting on someone giving you the deal of your dreams, you might want to pay attention …
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Nat Boyle / MLB Rumors:
Cafardo's Latest: Players Out Of Options — By Nat Boyle [February 1 at 9:51am CST] — Lots of stuff in Nick Cafardo's column in the Boston Globe to go over. — With around 100 free agents vying for less than 20 remaining roster spots, things become more interesting with 227 players on big-league rosters who are out of options.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Captain caught no interest — Age, lack of production led to a cheaper return — Do we put too much value in how Jason Varitek handles the pitching staff? Do we try to emphasize the intangibles because the basic skills - hitting, throwing - have deteriorated?
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles close to landing Hill — Sources say O's hopeful to complete deal acquiring Cubs pitcher early this week — The Orioles could announce as early as tomorrow that they will acquire left-handed starter Rich Hill from the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later, according to industry sources.
Chicago Tribune:
Pierzynski's role not likely to change in '09 — White Sox likely will have A.J. Pierzynski in No. 2 hole in order — Questions surround the leadoff spot, but White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen isn't concerned about who'll bat second. — That's because A.J. Pierzynski did so well in 2008 that he could hit there again.
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Still Jobless, Abreu Awaits Right Offer in a Slow Market — Ed Wade is the last man to sign Bobby Abreu to a contract. It was nearly seven years ago, when Wade was the general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies and Abreu was an emerging star. To keep him out of free agency …
Cjennings / Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Blog:
One update and one non-update — Shot text messages back and forth with two pitchers today. — Alan Horne (right) said his right shoulder is “doin great” and that his rehab is progressing nicely. He's up to 50 throws from 120 feet and said he expects to be throwing off a mound soon.
Buster Olney / MLB:
Sources: Rays agree to deal with LHP Shouse — Brian Shouse, a veteran left-handed reliever, has agreed to a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to baseball sources. The deal is pending a physical exam, which he will take on Thursday. — Shouse, 40, pitched in 69 games …
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
The Market For Adam Dunn — By Tim Dierkes [February 1 at 7:00am CST] — Amazingly it's February 1st and the one 40 home run bat on the free agent market, Adam Dunn, remains unsigned. We learned from Bobby Abreu's agent that his client is willing to consider a one-year deal …
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
St. Louis Cardinals keep prospects on the move — When the Cardinals promoted first-round pick Brett Wallace to Class AA Springfield, they planned for his stay to be brief. He'd make a few spot starts, take a few swings, get a taste for the league and then ship back to the preferred level.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Steven / Fire Jim Bowden:
Nationals Wins Above Replacement Updated — I've made some updates to my Nationals Wins Above Replacement calculations. First, I've updated the playing time and innings pitched to reflect the latest developments, including the acquisitions of bullpen arms like Wil Ledezma, Terrell Young, and Jesus Colome.
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Approaching spring workouts to find Tampa Bay Rays in transition — The Rays have their first official spring workout two weeks from today, and relocation to Port Charlotte isn't the only thing that's going to require some adjustment. — CF B.J. Upton, 1B Carlos Pena …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Pedro says he's received offers — Righty declines to identify bidders, but claims Mets not among them — The availability of Pedro Martinez as a free agent has prompted interest among big league clubs, according to the veteran right-hander. With less than three weeks remaining …
Discussion:
Mets Blog
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CNN:
Torre on book: 'It wasn't my intention to shock anybody' — (CNN) — Los Angeles Dodgers baseball manager Joe Torre's new book about his old club has been burning up best-seller lists even before it hits stores. — In “The Yankee Years,” Torre candidly details his life as the former skipper …
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