Top News:
Christian Red / NY Daily News:
Mets add to crowded rotation competition, sign pitcher Livan Hernandez — Mets GM Omar Minaya said on Feb. 3 that there would be no more “big moves” prior to the Mets breaking camp in Port St. Lucie this week, but he didn't say anything about making another call to arms.
Discussion:
Surfing the Mets, Yahoo! Sports, Baseball Insider, Purple Row, Mets Merized Online, Mets Today, Hot Foot and The 'Ropolitans
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Associated Press:
Mets consider dropping Reyes from leadoff spot — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Jose Reyes has a surprise in store when he arrives at spring training. — New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel is pondering the idea of dropping his speedy shortstop from the leadoff spot, one of several tweaks …
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Sources: Braves making late push for Griffey — That Ken Griffey Jr.-to-Seattle reunion isn't a foregone conclusion just yet. — Two baseball sources told ESPN.com on Saturday that the Atlanta Braves are making a late play for Griffey and have begun discussing money with his agent.
Discussion:
seattlepi.com Mariners blog, Mariners Insider, MLB Rumors, Talking Chop and U.S.S. Mariner
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves interested in signing Griffey Jr. — Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — The Braves are interested in free agent Ken Griffey Jr., who is many years removed from being a “Kid” but can still do plenty of damage against right-handed pitching. — “We have interest in several available outfielders …
MLB:
Pads' Peavy happy after offseason of trade talk — PEORIA, Ariz. — Surrounded by trade speculation much of the offseason, San Diego Padres pitcher Jake Peavy was surprised to find himself addressing the San Diego media Saturday morning. — Speaking with reporters for the first time since …
RELATED:
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Padres not shopping for pitchers — San Diego has numerous candidates for back end of rotation — SAN DIEGO — General manager Kevin Towers said Saturday that the team isn't actively talking to any free-agent pitchers and he doesn't anticipate making a deal anytime soon to help shore up the back end of the starting rotation.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Tek: ‘Happy and confident’ — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox captain Jason Varitek said he was happy to be back and confident he could turn his career around after a long and arduous offseason filled with doubt and angst on whether he'd return as the Red Sox' starting catcher.
RELATED:
Chad Jennings / Scranton Times-Tribune:
Melancon eyes bigs — When Mark Melancon took his place in major league spring training a year ago, he knew the New York Yankees were doing him a favor. — Twenty-two years old, coming off significant elbow surgery, with a professional resume that spanned only seven games in short season Staten Island …
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Rivera taking it slow this spring — Coming off shoulder surgery, closer expects to be ready for Opening Day — TAMPA, Fla. — Mariano Rivera has not tested his surgically repaired right shoulder off a mound, and the closer is even looking to pump the brakes a few more times on his methodical Spring Training program.
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
Andrew Baggarly / Extra Baggs:
Lowry hints at possible trade; Sanchez readies for WBC — Back in the press box at Scottsdale Stadium. The sun is shining, birds are singing and Brian Wilson is running around the track. All is right with the world. — It's a super calm camp, especially in comparison to others …
Andrew Baggarly / Extra Baggs:
A calm first day; the latest on Crede; Lewis needs a new pair of shoes — If it were any calmer here in Scottsdale on Saturday, a hurricane would be approaching. — Of course, the storms weren't far away. As colleague Henry Schulman pointed out, Bruce Bochy could've been asked an hour's worth …
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Wade defends pursuit of Wolf, Looper — Astros GM's last-minute offers passed over; Pudge deal unlikely — KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Hoping to sign one of the last remaining veteran starting pitchers on the free-agent market this offseason, Astros general manager Ed Wade recently made what he categorized as …
Jayson Stark / MLB:
Phillies' Romero: Drug hotline not well-known — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Suspended Philadelphia Phillies pitcher J.C. Romero said Saturday that he wasn't aware of baseball's toll-free drug hotline until after he'd already tested positive for a banned substance contained in an over-the-counter supplement.
Discussion:
Heartland Pinstripes
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Bigbie speaks about steroid probe — Ex-Orioles outfielder discusses his reasons for using performance-enhancing drugs, the Mitchell Report and friendships lost — A package of human growth hormone was delivered to Larry Bigbie's home in Northwest Indiana at Christmastime 2005.
Discussion:
oriolepost.com
