Top News:
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.
Discussion:
ESPN.com, Yahoo! Sports, The Schmuck Stops Here, MASNsports.com, Baseball Insider and MLB Rumors
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
O's get pitcher Hill in trade with Cubs — Acquired for player to be named later, LHP will compete for spot in starting rotation; Burres designated for assignment — Rich Hill issued 18 walks in 19 2/3 innings with the Chicago Cubs in 2008, going 1-0 with a 4.12 ERA in five starts before being sent to the minors.
Discussion:
Another Cubs Blog
Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com:
Hill is official (updated with quotes) — The Orioles have completed the trade for Rich Hill, sending the Cubs a PTBNL. — Pitcher Brian Burres has been designated for assignment to make room for Hill. — I was late on that prediction, but I knew it was coming.
ESPN.com:
MLB commish Selig paid more than $18M in '07 — NEW YORK — Baseball commissioner Bud Selig made more than all but three of his sport's players in 2007. — Selig received a raise of about $3 million to nearly $17.5 million that year, according to Major League Baseball's latest tax return.
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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Tyler Kepner / Bats:
Bobby Abreu Still Looking For Work — Get ready for a lot of free-agent signings over the next 10 days. With spring training starting Feb. 14 for the Yankees and others, it's time for the 90-plus players remaining on the market to find a home. — “Some players are sitting at home …
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Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Floyd, Hernandez on Towers' wish list — The long list of unsigned free agents could produce two players for the Padres - left-handed hitter Cliff Floyd and starting pitcher Livan Hernandez. — Padres General Manager Kevin Towers said Thursday night the Padres were interested in the pair.
Jim Salisbury / Philly.com:
Phils hopeful of avoiding Howard arbitration — Salary arbitration hearings are scheduled to begin today in Phoenix, but the Phillies and Ryan Howard still have time to strike a deal before heading to the table. — The date of Howard's hearing has been a closely guarded secret …
Meddler / Amazin' Avenue:
Is There Anything To Like About Tim Redding? — A little while ago, the Mets extended a $2.5 million contract offer to Tim Redding, which he accepted. At the time, it was assumed the Mets would add another starting pitcher, most likely on a far more lucrative deal.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Out Of Options 2009 — By Tim Dierkes [February 2 at 9:22am CST] — Our list of players who are out of options for 2009 (and who have less than five years service time). Out of options means these players have to clear waivers before being sent to the minors.
Globe and Mail:
Jays used amphetamines: McNamee — Joe Torre and Tom Verducci's The Yankee Years is less salacious than the advance coverage suggested, but it has a brutally honest streak that reveals itself in some less than glowing references to the Toronto Blue Jays. — Brian McNamee, Roger Clemens's …
Discussion:
Drunk Jays Fans
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Starting Pitcher: Mets and Perez getting Close — Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports the Mets and Perez have reached agreement on a three-year, $36 million deal. — According to Sherman, the deal does not include a fourth year option. — Update, 2:00 pm:
Neil Best / Watchdog:
Chris Russo considered CNN's Joe Torre chat ‘a disgrace’ — Chris Russo was unimpressed with how CNN and Larry King handled Joe Torre's first TV interview about the book “The Yankee Years.” — (Chris gets his crack at Torre at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday on Sirius XM.)
Discussion:
Mike Silva's NY Baseball …
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