Top News:
Austin Knoblauch / LA Times Sports Blog:
Lisa Guerrero — Jason Giambi on Joe Torre's book: 'It's hurtful' — While Joe Torre continues to plug his book, “The Yankee Years,” in New York as the Dodgers winter caravan continues without him, feedback is still rolling in, this time from one of the players mentioned in the tell-all.
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Classic will let Jeter face Yankees — Captain looking forward to playing teammates in March game — NEW YORK — Derek Jeter playing against the New York Yankees? — For years, that scenario has been a fascinating what-might-have-been: five big league teams passed on the opportunity …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
MLB.com:
Sheets might need elbow surgery — Deal with Rangers called off; Brewers may pay for procedure — MILWAUKEE — Finally, an answer to one of this winter's most puzzling questions: Why is the National League's All-Star Game starting pitcher still looking for a job?
Discussion:
Baseball Insider, The Cub Reporter (TCR), Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness, Ken Davidoff's baseball …, Mike Silva's NY Baseball …, Yahoo! Sports, The Crawfish Boxes, Mets Today, El Lefty Malo, Mets Merized Online, Amazin' Avenue, River Avenue Blues, Angels blog, MetsBlog.com, The Yankee Universe, Chuckie Hacks, It is about the money, stupid, My Pinstripes, iYankees, Postcards from Elysian Fields and Dodger Thoughts
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Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Mets sign Dessens to minor league deal — Former Rockies continue to find jobs as spring training approaches. Pitcher Elmer Dessens, who gulped up some important innings for the 2007 NL pennant winning club, signed a $600,000-minor-league deal with the Mets. He's guaranteed $72,000.
Discussion:
NJ.com
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Ward, Jones agree to Minors deals — Veteran sluggers could add pop and depth to Reds bench — CINCINNATI — The Reds signed outfielder Jacque Jones and first baseman Daryle Ward to Minor League contracts on Thursday. The deals came with invites to big league Spring Training.
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Latest on Manny Derby and notes around majors (cont.) — In any case, the idea of a trio of good or better players replacing one all-time great (Abreu, Orlando Hudson and Wolf might cost about what Ramirez costs, discounting the fact Ramirez is a draw who'll bring in several million extra dollars) …
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Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Bush designated to clear room for Floyd — Former No. 1 pick draws interest from other clubs, says Towers — SAN DIEGO — If Matt Bush, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, is to make it to the Major Leagues, it won't be with the Padres.
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Katie Strang / Newsday:
Million Manny March only brings 10-15 Mets fans — Compared to last week, the smattering of Mets fans willing to brave the cold outside SNY studios in Manhattan for the second “Million Manny March” accurately reflected the team's likelihood of landing Manny Ramirez - rapidly dwindling.
Discussion:
The Mets Police
Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
We don't know how Madoff affects Mets — Jeff Wilpon is absolutely right. We don't know how much money the Mets have. — The real question is, how much money do the Mets have left? — It's impossible to know exactly what the endgame to the burgeoning Bernard Madoff investment scandal will be …
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Sampson anticipates start of camp — Reliever feeling strong after offseason elbow surgery — HOUSTON — With one day remaining until the Astros' equipment truck is packed up and shipped off to Kissimmee, Fla., reliever Chris Sampson dropped by the home clubhouse at Minute Maid Park …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Geoff Baker / Mariners Blog:
Mariners sign Tyler Johnson — Fresh off the presses, the Mariners just inked former Cardinals lefty reliever Tyler Johnson to a minor-league contract. — “Tyler is an experienced, left-handed reliever that gives us another option to look at for our bullpen,” Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said in a release.
Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Truck Day is here! — Sorry Punxsutawney Phil and your six-more-weeks-of-winter prediction, but if you live in New England and are a fan of Red Sox, a sure sign of spring has arrived — Truck Day! — The 18-wheeler that carries the Red Sox' spring training equipment from Boston to Fort Myers …
Discussion:
Cursed To First
Tyler Kepner / Bats:
25 Random Facts About 25 Random Yankees — There's a phenomenon going around on Facebook these days where people write a note listing 25 random facts about themselves. With spring training still a week away, I thought we'd take a break from dissecting Joe Torre's book and offer a similar note here on Bats.
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Bruney fit for Yank pen — TAMPA - On a clear, cold day, Brian Bruney stood in the outfield grass at the Yankees' minor-league complex, playing an easy game of catch with fellow reliever Jonathan Albaladejo on Thursday. Bruney looked trim and fit and when someone mentioned that to him, he replied, “I feel awesome.”
Discussion:
Yankees N More