Top News:
New York Post:
Jerry needs good start, badly — PORT ST. LUCIE — David Wright, Jose Reyes and now Johan Santana all have said they expect the Mets to win the World Series. The Mets are turning the page on an injury-plagued 2009 by making one bold statement after another. — That means the pressure is on Jerry Manuel like never before.
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Johan believes he's beast of NL East — Mets ace feeling good, plans to be on hill Opening Day — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — He paused for a moment for effect, to suggest that he actually was considering an alternative response. Then the best pitcher in the National League East spoke his two-word reply to the question on the floor.
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Jamie McCourt doubles request for monthly support — She wants $988,845 temporary monthly support and says her estranged husband is hiding facts on assets. Court filing details Frank McCourt's plans to turn Dodgers into sports business empire. — Jamie McCourt (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)
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Joshua Fisher / Dodger Divorce:
Filings running wild (updated). — It was about time for some new divorce news, though I didn't expect the newest developments to be this explosive. Let's start with the Wall Street Journal's John Emshwiller: … The Times' ever-handy Bill Shaikin offers Jamie's resulting demands:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats win arbitration case with Burnett — Despite result, reliever glad the process is over — VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals have won their arbitration case with reliever Sean Burnett, who will make $775,000 in 2010 instead of the $925,000 he asked for, according to a Major League source.
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Associated Press:
Former All-Star MacDougal signs with Marlins — MIAMI (AP) — Former All-Star pitcher Mike MacDougal has signed a minor-league contract with the Florida Marlins and has been invited to spring training. — Florida pitchers and catchers report Friday to Jupiter, Fla. — MacDougal was an All-Star for Kansas City in 2003.
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Angels, Aybar agree to 2010 contract — Club, shortstop avoid arbitrarion, settle on $2.05 million deal — TEMPE, Ariz. — The Angels announced on Thursday that they have avoided arbitration with shortstop Erick Aybar, settling on a contract for 2010. — While the club has a policy …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
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Dan McNeil / Chicago Tribune:
It's a mistake to count on Zambrano — It's best to take a wait-and-see attitude concerning Cubs' erratic starter — My hobbies include both wandering and wondering. In two weeks I will wander to Arizona to take a peek at this “all hands on deck” approach the Cubs are selling.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Adam Rubin / Surfing The Mets:
Escobar: ‘weakness,’ not pain — Kelvim Escobar said he won't pick up a baseball until he's cleared by rehab coordinator Chris Correnti, who is charged with evaluating his shoulder strength. Still, Escobar expressed little concern about being ready for Opening Day, or about the rigors …
Jay / The Futility Infielder:
Best. Quilt. Ever. Now Up for Auction — On Saturday, February 20, in Union, Missouri, a unique and amazing collection of baseball memorabilia will be auctioned off. Baseball fan Clara Schmitt Rothmeier, who passed away last June, created several baseball-themed quilts …
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Top Pitching Prospect Hopes to Leave Behind a Season of Growing Pains — TAMPA, Fla. — Andrew Brackman traveled around Spain last October. He visited seaside towns along the Mediterranean coast. He explored the cathedrals and parks of Barcelona, his new favorite city.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Game over? Gagne returning to LA — Franchise's greatest closer signing a Minor League deal — PHOENIX — The Dodgers and free-agent reliever Eric Gagne have tentatively agreed on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Major League camp, according to baseball sources …
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Sternberg talks stadium, payroll, CC, etc. — Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg addressed the media for more than a half hour this morning, touching on a wide series of subjects, including the issues of a new stadium, the direction of the payroll, his hope to retain Carl Crawford and others.
Mike Fleming / Deadline.com:
Warner Bros Finally Going Ahead With Shocking Film About Yankees Sex Scandal — EXCLUSIVE: The Trade, a film that tells the true tale of 2 New York Yankees pitchers who caused a national scandal by swapping wives in the sexually-free 1970s, has finally hit the big leagues.
George A. King III / NY Post:
Yankees' Rivera taking career ‘a year at a time’ — TAMPA — One year at a time. — That's how Mariano Rivera is looking at the rest of a career that will eventually lead to Coopertsown. — “A year at a time and see what happens,” Rivera said this morning prior to the first workout …
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