Top News:
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets' Wright: You can't ever condone cheating — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - In a comparison of New York's third basemen, it's no contest. Alex Rodriguez is a three-time MVP, a 12-time All-Star and the favorite to one day wrest the home run crown from the head of Barry Bonds.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online
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Howard Kussoy / New York Post:
REPORT: 3 SAY ORZA TIPPED OFF RODRIGUEZ — For once, Alex Rodriguez cannot be happy that the hits keep coming. — Rodriguez told ESPN on Monday that the time of his steroid use from 2001-03 was “pretty accurate;” however, a report in this week's Sports Illustrated suggests …
NY Daily News:
Cops: no record of trouble between A-Rod and SI writer — Alex Rodriguez claimed in his ESPN interview that the Sports Illustrated journalist who first reported the Yankee star had tested positive for steroids in 2003 had stalked him and was cited by the Miami Beach police for trying to break into his home as his daughters slept.
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse, New Jersey Online, Associated Press, Sports Illustrated, Sliding Into Home and Jeff Pearlman
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Critics overdose on hate — All of this needling seems excessive — Why all the hate for Alex Rodriguez? — OK, he cheated. He juiced for at least the three years he was with the Texas Rangers. And he got caught. He has put his Hall of Fame chances at risk and cast doubt on all of his gaudy offensive numbers.
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Oswalt would erase A-Rod's numbers — HOUSTON — If Roy Oswalt had his druthers, any player who was proven to, or admitted to, using performance-enhancing drugs would have his numbers erased from baseball history, the Astros ace said on Tuesday. — That includes Alex Rodriguez …
NY Daily News:
$15M Lawsuit claims ex-Met Roberto Alomar had sex knowing he had AIDS — Baseball great Roberto Alomar has full-blown AIDS but insisted on having unprotected sex, his ex-girlfriend charged Tuesday in a bombshell lawsuit. — The shocking claim was leveled by Ilya Dall, 31 …
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Kati Cornell / New York Post:
ALOMAR IN ‘AIDS’ SHOCK — EX-LOVE SUES MET GREAT — Former Met star Roberto Alomar had unprotected sex with his ex-girlfriend while he had full blown AIDS, a sensational lawsuit charges. — In the $15 million action filed in Brooklyn Federal court, Ilya Dall, of Queens …
MLB.com:
Abreu, Angels agree on one-year deal — Left-handed-hitting outfielder reportedly taking $5 million offer — The Angels and free agent outfielder Bobby Abreu have struck a one-year agreement, according to a report by SI.com. — The deal is worth $5 million plus incentives, the Web site reported.
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Source: Abreu moves closer to joining Angels — Free agent outfielder Bobby Abreu moved closer to a deal with the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday morning, as the two sides discussed incentive bonuses that would sweeten his pending one-year contract with the club, a source told ESPN.com.
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:Sources: Abreu, Angels discussing 1-year deal
Discussion:
Hardball Times, FanGraphs Baseball, Bucs Trade Winds, River Avenue Blues, Jorge Says No!, Mariners Insider, U.S.S. Mariner, 6-4-2 and PE.com
John Hickey / seattlepi.com Mariners blog:Abreu could bypass Mariners and go with Angels
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
New York Post:
YANKS WON'T ATTEMPT TO VOID A-ROID DEAL — TAMPA - The Yankees say they aren't ticked at Alex Rodriguez and are not looking to void the biggest contract in baseball. Hank Steinbrenner even giggled at the idea of trading the best player in the game, who copped Monday to using performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03
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New York Post:
DARRYL BARES MET SEXCAPADES — DESPITE their steroid scandals, today's baseball superstars are still choirboys compared to the boozing, skirt-chasing New York Mets of the mid-1980s. — “We were the boys of summer. The drunk, speed-freak, sneaking-a-smoke boys of summer,” …
ESPN:
Favre tells Jets he's retiring … Without the tearful public ceremony that accompanied his retirement announcement from the Green Bay Packers just 11 months ago, quarterback Brett Favre has told the New York Jets he is retiring. — Favre had instructed his agent, James “Bus” Cook, to inform the Jets on Wednesday that he is retiring.
Harvey Fialkov / Boston Herald:
Huizenga regrets dismantling of '97 world champion Marlins — DAVIE, Fla. - Outgoing Miami Dolphins [team stats] majority owner H. Wayne Huizenga bid an emotional farewell to his favorite franchise Tuesday, but for the first time admitted he might have broke up the Marlins a year too soon after they won the 1997 World Series.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers add Milton to pitching mix — Left-hander signs Minor League deal to compete for spot — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers, seemingly collecting veteran pitchers on the eve of Spring Training, signed Eric Milton to a Minor League contract Tuesday to join the competition for the fifth starter spot or the bullpen.
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
METS SIGN VALENTIN TO MINOR LEAGUE DEAL — The Mets have thrown another player into the mix to be a potential backup or alternative to Luis Castillo by signing Jose Valentin to a minor league contract, the Post has learned. — Valentin would make $800,000 if he played in the majors.
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Boston Herald:
Book gives Manny Ramirez's side of the meltdown — Still-unemployed free agent Manny Ramirez [stats], feeling insulted and disrespected, snapped last season when he shoved 64-year-old Red Sox [team stats] traveling secretary Jack McCormick during an altercation over tickets, according to a new book about the former Sox slugger.
