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.
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?
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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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 …
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.
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
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 …
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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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
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 …
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.
Discussion:
Mike Silva's NY Baseball …
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 …
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Buster Olney / MLB:Sources: Rays agree to deal with LHP Shouse
Discussion:
Rays Report, Rays of Light, MLB Rumors, THE BASEBALL SAVANT, Rays Index, Baseball Insider, The Heater and DRaysBay
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.
