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.
RELATED:
Brian Costa / New Jersey Online:
Jerry Manuel says he wants to move Jose Reyes to No. 3 spot in NY Mets lineup — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — For the second year in a row, Mets manager Jerry Manuel said in his first spring training press conference that he is considering taking Jose Reyes out of the leadoff spot.
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)
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
Stephen Deere / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:Baseball quilt is going, going... Phyllis LaPlant of Farmington …
Discussion:
Unfiltered
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.
Discussion:
MASNsports.com
RELATED:
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.
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 …
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Blue Jays sign former Yankee Molina — Veteran likely to serve as Toronto's backup catcher — DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Blue Jays signed catcher Jose Molina to a one-year contract on Friday afternoon, filling the backup catcher role. The deal is worth $400,000 with incentives for the 2010 season …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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.
RELATED:
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
RELATED:
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
RELATED:
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.
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 …
Tom Fornelli / Fanhouse MLB Blog:
White Sox Front Office to Star in MLB Network Reality Series — For years people have said that Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen should have his own reality television show. Now Guillen and the rest of the White Sox front office will have one, as the MLB Network announced on Friday …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
