Top News:
Ian Begley / ESPN:
New York Yankees' Mark Teixeira says he believes Andy Pettitte is leaning toward retirement — NEW YORK — New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira has been exchanging text messages with Andy Pettitte during the offseason as Pettitte sits at home in Deer Park, Texas deciding whether to pitch for the Yankees in 2011 or retire.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, HardballTalk, Yankees Daily and Pinstripe Alley
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Pete Caldera / NorthJersey.com:
Yanks interested in Blanton, Garcia
Yanks interested in Blanton, Garcia
Discussion:
Mike Silva's … and Sliding Into Home
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Jenks admits frustration over terms of departure — White Sox didn't imply disrespect while moving in new direction — CHICAGO — When the White Sox need to protect a ninth-inning lead during the 2011 season, the sounds of POD's “Boom” will not be heard at U.S. Cellular Field.
Discussion:
South Side Sox, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors, Sox Machine and Fanhouse MLB Blog
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Duk / Yahoo! Sports:
Ozzie Guillen's kid blasts Bobby Jenks after comment about dad — In the past, Oney Guillen has mostly aimed his notorious Twitter vitriol at the Chicago White Sox and those who work and play for the organization. — But on Tuesday night, Ozzie Guillen's unfiltered son unloaded both barrels …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
Bob Ryan / Boston Globe:
Few easy answers on ballot questions — Voting for the Baseball Hall of Fame was always hard. 'Twas a privilege, but hard. It's a very serious responsibility. — And now it's 10 times harder. — The drug guys, you know? Or should I say “the suspected drug guys”? What a mess.
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Dan Szymborski / ESPN:
Jack Morris falls short of Hall of Fame — Although he might have defined an MLB decade, Morris just isn't worthy of Cooperstown — The Hall of Fame is set to announce this year's inductees, an annual event that's as much a part of winter as free-agent signings, blizzards …
Discussion:
Hardball Times and HardballTalk
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Longtime scout, executive Lajoie dies — Baseball ‘lifer’ played key role for '84 champion Tigers — Longtime baseball scout and executive Bill Lajoie, who played a key role in building the 1984 World Series champion Detroit Tigers, passed away in his sleep at his home in Osprey, Fla., on Tuesday afternoon at the age of 76.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Boston Globe and Brew Beat
Maury Brown / FanGraphs Baseball:
Show Me the $! End-of-Year Payrolls — On some level, it's simple to say that each of the Big-4 sports in Northern America are different. Baseball doesn't have a clock; the NHL uses a puck; the NBA uses a hoop; the NFL has downs. — Yes, I'm being over simplistic here, but on the salary side …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Amazin' Avenue and THE BOOK
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Nick Collias / MLB Rumors:
Soria Wouldn't Block Trade To Yankees — The Royals have looked firm this offseason in their unwillingness to ship off Joakim Soria. The All-Star closer, on the other hand, appears comfortable with migrating to another market and, more specifically, to New York.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, NESN.com and The LoHud Yankees Blog
MLB.com:
Blue Jays agree to one-year deal with Dotel — The Blue Jays have reportedly finalized a one-year, $3.5 million contract that includes a club option for 2012 with reliever Octavio Dotel, according to FOXSports.com. The Blue Jays have not confirmed the report.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Braves:
Kimbrel poised and ready for closer's challenge — Craig Kimbrel is only 22. He's about to get a shot at taking over the Braves closer job this spring, with the retirement of Billy Wagner. He has a lot on his mind. — But at home in Huntsville, Ala. on Tuesday afternoon …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and ESPN
Lucas Apostoleris / Beyond the Box Score:
Laying It Down, Part 1 — Juan Pierre really likes bunting. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) — Browse more photos » — I've been thinking a lot about bunting recently. Considering all of the information we have about offensive statistics, it's surprising to me that we don't have more data …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and Patrick Flood
Matt Himelfarb / Mets Today:
Himelfarb Hears a Hu … Amid widespread protests from fans decrying the organization's inaction, the Mets acquired infielder Chin-lung Hu from the Dodgers for southpaw Mike Antonini. — Hu, 27, hit .317/.332/.438 in 223 plate-appearances last year in the hitter friendly Pacific Coast League last season.
Discussion:
ESPN, Amazin' Avenue, NotGraphs Baseball, SNY.tv, Kranepool Society, Real Dirty Mets and Mike Silva's …
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