Top News:
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Griffey picks Braves over Mariners — Negotiations still on-going, both sides working to finalize deal — Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Ken Griffey Jr. has chosen to sign with the Braves, according to a person close to the veteran star and familiar with the on-going negotiations.
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Jim Street / MLB.com:
Griffey denies report he chose Braves — Veteran wrestling with decision, will choose later Tuesday or Wednesday — PEORIA, Ariz. — Free-agent outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., who is being hotly pursued by the Mariners and Braves, told MLB.com that he has not reached a decision on which team he will play for next season.
John Hickey / seattlepi.com Mariners blog:
Still no word if Griffey is headed to Atlanta or Seattle — As of 6 p.m. MST, the Mariners still have no idea if they are in the hunt for Ken Griffey Jr., their former All-Star and the man they hope will be their left fielder and/or DH this season. — Neither Griffey or his agent …
Nick Friedell / Yahoo! Sports:
Things I learned while attending A-Rod's press conference — BLS contributor Nick Friedell was at Steinbrenner Field today for A-Rod's press conference. — The circus was supposed to be in Tampa on Tuesday afternoon, but I only saw one clown all day: His name was Alex Rodriguez.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Kobrien / On the Yankees beat:On Alex Rodriguez (of course) with thoughts from good friend Melky Cabrera
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers sign Gagne to Minors deal — Reliever can become free agent if he doesn't make 40-man roster — PHOENIX — Exactly one year to the date he arrived at Maryvale Baseball Park with a $10 million contract in tow, Eric Gagne will report Wednesday as a Minor Leaguer pitching for a job.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Gallardo likely won't start opener — Macha points to blooming righty's limited big league experience — PHOENIX — Brewers manager Ken Macha will not name his Opening Day starter until the final week of March, but he was “over 50 percent” sure on Tuesday that it will not be right-hander Yovani Gallardo.
Discussion:
Brewers Bar
JSOnline:
Gagne is back — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — Phoenix - I'm guessing most of you didn't see this coming because we sure didn't. — Eric Gagne is back. — The Brewers just announced that Gagne signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring camp.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers, Hart avoid arbitration — Right fielder agrees to one-year, $3.25 million deal on eve of hearing — PHOENIX — It wasn't exactly the 11th hour, but it was getting pretty late for the Brewers and right fielder Corey Hart when they finally struck a deal.
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
D-backs, Jackson avoid arbitration — Outfielder signs one-year deal a day before scheduled hearing — TUCSON, Ariz. — The D-backs signed outfielder Conor Jackson to a one-year contract on Tuesday, one day before the two sides were scheduled for a salary-arbitration hearing.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Brad Penny's escape from L.A. — Buzz up! — FORT MYERS, Fla. - Though he loved Los Angeles and in its place was subject to the softest free-agent market in years, Brad Penny is happy to be free of the Dodgers. — And though they were left to rebuild a pitching staff that could use another power arm …
Discussion:
The Fightins
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MLB:
Miguel Tejada apologizes to Houston Astros for use of PEDs — KISSIMMEE, Fla. — While Alex Rodriguez was addressing his use of performance-enhancing drugs in front of a national media contingent Tuesday, Miguel Tejada made a quiet apology to his teammates at the Houston Astros' training camp.
Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Pirates, McLouth reach long-term deal — In a sharp reversal, the Pirates and center fielder Nate McLouth this morning agreed to terms on a three-year contract — plus a club option for a fourth — that avoided an arbitration hearing that had been scheduled for this afternoon in Phoenix.
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Manuel's unusual hitting drill hands-on — Manager believes tool will help Mets combat fatigue at the plate — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Some degree of any big league training camp is about conditioning, of course. Pitchers run sprints and “poles” — foul pole to foul pole — and throw, and everyone builds stamina.
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Bonderman: Rogers likely retiring — Tigers right-hander says lefty mentor comfortable at home — LAKELAND, Fla. — Not only is Jeremy Bonderman keeping in touch with former Tigers teammate Kenny Rogers, he's trying to talk the 44-year-old left-hander into returning for another Major League season.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Marc Topkin / The Heater:
Rays add 2B Adam Kennedy to spring roster — 2B Adam Kennedy was added to the Rays spring roster on a minor-league contract. — Kennedy, 33, was released last week by the Cardinals, for whom he hit .280 in 115 games last season following a horrible .217 in 87 games the year before.
