Top News:
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Damon could still end up a Brave — Atlanta has made offer with hopes of snagging outfielder — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — With the White Sox pulling their initial offer for Johnny Damon's services, it's seemingly time to at least wonder if the veteran outfielder could actually end …
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Bowman's Blog:
Will Damon fall to the Braves? — Those of you who have been lobbying for the Braves to sign Johnny Damon certainly realize that this isn't forum for you to receive any encouragement that the club might do so. — But as time passes and clubs prepare to stage their first full-squad workouts …
Bruce Levine / ESPN:White Sox pull offer to Damon
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Associated Press, Inside the White Sox, Cutoff Man, MLB Rumors, MLB.com, HardballTalk, Daily Herald, NESN.com, SBNation.com, Bless You Boys and South Side Sox
Tom Fornelli / Fanhouse MLB Blog:White Sox Front Office to Star in MLB Network Reality Series
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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Joba, Hughes take first steps in competition — Girardi preaches that fifth-starter job won't be won first day — TAMPA, Fla. — The competition between friends began innocuously Friday, when Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain climbed upon adjacent mounds, firing fastballs and changeups to adjacent targets.
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Elder statesman Pettitte up to challenge — Veteran returns to deliver on mound, mentor rotation mates — TAMPA, Fla. — The thought definitely passed through Andy Pettitte's mind, sometime during that period between waving to thousands of delighted faces on Broadway and the moment he told …
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Andy Pettitte still has passion for baseball — TAMPA, Fla. - This was late November, when the galaxy was perfectly aligned for Andy Pettitte's farewell to baseball. He'd just pitched the Yankees to a world championship, and now home in Texas, was running through the checklist of reasons to stay there.
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Pinstripe Alley
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Healthy Renteria determined to rebound — Giants shortstop played through pain last season — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Edgar Renteria admitted Friday that he felt “embarrassed” under the scrutiny of Giants fans and the organization as a result of his subpar performance last year.
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Andrew Baggarly / Extra Baggs:SPRING NOTES: Cutting back Bengie Molina's playing time would dent …
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Matsui, big bat arrive (reporters too) — DH, making splash at Angels camp, hopes to play outfield — TEMPE, Ariz. — Frank Sinatra's ode to New York was ringing in his ears in early November, and while he has a celestial new home with the Angels now, Hideki Matsui hasn't completely left behind …
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Brian Costa / New Jersey Online:
NY Mets owner Fred Wilpon says offseason was ‘torture’ for him; has no plans to sell the team … Audio: Mets owner Fred Wilpon (clip starts with Wilpon talking about reliever Ryota Igarashi) — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets principal owner Fred Wilpon said Saturday that the offseason was …
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Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Breaking Sports:
Theriot loses arbitration case vs. Cubs — MESA, Ariz.— Shortstop Ryan Theriot lost his arbitration hearing with the Cubs on Friday and will be paid $2.6 million in 2010. — Theriot filed for $3.4 million, an $800,000 difference that the Cubs felt was too high to negotiate a settlement.
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
Source: Cleveland Indians, first baseman Russell Branyan agree to one-year, $2 million deal — First baseman Russell Branyan, who hit 31 homers for the Mariners last season, has decided to sign a one-year, $2 million deal with the Indians, a baseball source said Friday.
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Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Five coaches who could make a difference — Sometimes a team's Most Valuable Player isn't a player — In the big leagues, there isn't much of a difference between a September to remember followed by October glory and five months of contention disappearing as quickly as those hot August nights.
Steve Buckley / Boston Herald:
Lefty speaks: Sign Josh Beckett — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — FORT MYERS - If Jon Lester [stats] were running the Red Sox [team stats], Josh Beckett [stats] would already have a contract extension. — But since Lester merely pitches, the best he can do is offer …
Fox Sports:
Colorado's Jimenez looks good in first bullpen — Ubaldo Jimenez is hoping a couple of minor adjustments will allow him to go deeper into games for the Colorado Rockies. — Jimenez threw his first bullpen session of spring training Friday, and pitching coach Bob Apodaca was pleased with what he saw.
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Note: Jose Reyes is OK with Batting 3rd — Earlier today, Jerry Manuel told reporters he would like to bat Jose Reyes third in the lineup, assuming all the parts fit, and Reyes is comfortable with it. — Later, according to SNY, Reyes told reporters:
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