Top News:
Sean McAdam / Boston Herald:
Red Sox show no interest in Pedro Martinez encore — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - This offseason, the Red Sox [team stats] took chances on two veteran starting pitchers coming off injuries, signing John Smoltz and Brad Penny to low-risk deals and hoping for high rewards.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
A-Rod, MLB officials to meet Sunday — Slugger reportedly to be asked about use of PEDs, links to trainer — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez will meet with Major League Baseball officials in Tampa, Fla., on Sunday to discuss his past use of performance-enhancing drugs, according to a report published on ESPN.com.
Mark Fainaru-Wada / MLB:
Start of Barry Bonds' perjury trial faces lengthy postponement — SAN FRANCISCO — And so the Barry Bonds saga rages on. With little end in sight. — What once seemed like closure on the horizon — a perjury trial for baseball's home run king set to begin Monday, nearly six years …
Discussion:
Hardball Times
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Lester Munson / ESPN:
Appeal is smart move in Bonds trial — Instead of going forward with a perjury and obstruction of justice trial against Barry Bonds on Monday, federal prosecutors in San Francisco decided Friday to appeal rulings that excluded much of their evidence. Last week, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston ruled …
Discussion:
Hardball Times
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
BREAKING NEWS: Johan Santana out indefinitely — Johan Santana met with GM Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel for 40 minutes this morning about the best way to handle his elbow tightness. The bottom line is that Santana is officially in limbo and his Opening Day start (April 6) could be in jeopardy as well.
Discussion:
The700Level.com, Mets Merized Online, Mets Fever, Amazin' Stories, The 'Ropolitans and Mike Silva's …
Tony Jackson / Inside the Dodgers:
Sources: Boras asked Dodgers to increase offer to $55 million — And that, according to two well-placed sources with knowledge of the situation, is where the whole thing broke down. This sources also said Boras never openly objected to any proposal by the Dodgers of deferred money …
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Matthew Leach / Obviously, You're Not a Golfer:
More Saturday tidbits — all pre-arb players sign — * Some good news came down this morning, as all 17 unsigned players agreed to contracts with the Cardinals on Saturday. The club did not renew any of the 17, instead reaching agreements. The names: Mitchell Boggs, Jaime Garcia …
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
St. Louis Cardinals Rick Ankiel works on batting behind Albert Pujols — February 22, 2009 - Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel takes batting practice during Cardinals spring training at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. (Chris Lee/P-D) — PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. — Hal McRae understands.
Discussion:
C70 At The Bat
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
St. Louis Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter takes mound Saturday — February 21, 2009 — Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter throws a pitchout after throwing live batting practice as pitching coach Dave Duncan watches during Cardinals spring training at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. (Chris Lee/P-D)
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Harper: Mets can't afford to tinker with Reyes' mind-set — PORT ST. LUCIE - So Jose Reyes has hit in the No.3 spot two days in a row and looked comfortable doing so. It's hard to tell how serious Jerry Manuel is about this experiment, but the hints he has dropped make you think Reyes will be back to batting leadoff on Opening Day.
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Percival on mend, eyes mound date — Rays closer feels ‘great,’ says he could pitch in a game right now — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — If anybody understands it's not how you open, it's how you close, Troy Percival is the guy. — After 13 Major League seasons, Percival knows the drill.
Discussion:
MVN
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Santana pushed back again; Mets lose, 9-8 — Here's some news and notes in the wake of the Mets' 9-8 loss to the Cardinals today at Tradition Field. — Johan Santana already had been scratched from today's start against Italy because of tightness in his left elbow and now it appears …
