Top News:
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
METS SIGN GARY SHEFFIELD — The Mets today signed Gary Sheffield with an eye on giving him significant playing time, according to three people involved in the talks. — One person who talked directly to Sheffield said the slugger preferred the Mets over the Phillies because he sees …
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Sheffield, one HR shy of 500, will sign with Mets — Gary Sheffield has agreed to sign with the New York Mets, SI.com has learned. An official announcement is expected this afternoon. — It is presumed that the Mets will be paying him the pro-rated portion of the $400,000 minimum.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Sheffield has Mets' officials intrigued … PORT ST. LUCIE - As the Mets broke camp, this news broke, too: slugger Gary Sheffield's availability intrigues team officials, the Daily News has learned. — Rufus Williams, who represents Sheffield, would not disclose whether the Mets had contacted him.
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
SI: Sheffield agrees to sign with Mets — “If he's gonna help us win a World Series, then I'm excited he's here,” Daniel Murphy said of Sheffield, when told of the signing in an interview with WFAN's Mike Francesa earlier today. — Francesa is scheduled to speak with Mets GM Omar Minaya later today.
NY Daily News:
Mets add a big bat, agree to sign Sheffield — Gary Sheffield is back in the Big Apple. — The Mets have agreed Friday afternoon to sign Sheffield, who was released on Tuesday by the Tigers. — Detroit still owes Sheffield $14 million for this season, so the Mets are only obligated to pay him the major-league minumun of $400,000.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Get a Late-Night Sneak Preview of Citi Field — Out from the buses they spilled, marching through a gate, down a corridor and around a corner until, finally, there it was. Home. The Mets' shiny, new clubhouse awaited. And as Carlos Delgado poked his head inside at about 10:55 p.m. Thursday …
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Larry Stone / The Hot Stone League:
Ichiro placed on DL; had bleeding ulcer — This press release just arrived from the Mariners. I want to post it right away to get the word out. This is obviously a blow to the team. I'll try to get a handle on the ramifications as quickly as I can. — MARINERS OUTFIELDER ICHIRO SUZUKI …
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Watch NY ballparks debut for free — New ballparks. — New media player. — New season. — As a final buildup to the moments everyone has been waiting for, MLB.com is giving all fans a free public beta test stream of all four games in the exhibition series that bring …
New York Post:
IN TOUGH TIMES, A MONUMENT TO GREED — IT IS beautiful, of course. But in the way that a woman who went to the world's best plastic surgeon might be beautiful. It is supposed to remind you of the previous incarnation, and ends up feeling artificial and overdone.
Discussion:
MLB.com, MY BASEBALL BIAS, struckoutlooking.com, The Sommer Frieze, Pinstripe Alley and THE BRONX CHEER
Corky Siemaszko / NY Daily News:
Jeter-Wright showdown to help kids — This season, it's not just about Mets versus Yankees, it's about David Wright versus Derek Jeter - and it's personal. — Because each time the superstars step up to the plate, they'll be competing against each other for a $100,000 payoff from Delta Air Lines - to their favorite charity.
Polls / Brew Beat:
Gwynn clears waivers; club claims Koshansky — [UPDATED at 1:20 p.m. CT... Added some thoughts from assistant GM Gord Ash and corrected my note on Koshansky, who actually came from the Rangers after a 4-day stay in that organization.] — Tony Gwynn Jr. is staying put.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Chico Harlan / Washington Post:
Out of Options, Casto Is Fighting for Roster Spot With Nats — Kory Casto does not know if he will make the Washington Nationals' roster. Maybe a decision has already been made. Maybe the front office already knows it will cut him, and nobody yet has delivered the news.
Marksheldon / Mark My Word:
Last day in Sarasota... ever — first things first — Congrats are in order to the usual author of this blog and his family. Mark Sheldon and his wife's clan got bigger by one baby boy this morning. Everyone is healthy and happy. So Mazel Tov to the Sheldons and all their family.
Discussion:
On Baseball and the Reds
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