Top News:
The Knobler Blog:
Did Lee damage Yankees — and front office? — It's no surprise to hear someone say the Yankees overpaid for a free agent. — But it sure is a little strange when that someone is the general manager of the Yankees. — That would be the same general manager of the Yankees who joked …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Bronx Baseball Daily, BronxBanterBlog.com, baseballmusings.com, Boston Globe and FenwayNationWorld
RELATED:
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Brian Cashman against Soriano deal
Brian Cashman against Soriano deal
Discussion:
Subway Squawkers, Pinstriped Bible …, SULLY BASEBALL, HardballTalk and The Big Lead
Mark Viera / Bats:
Cashman Explains Stance as Yanks Introduce Soriano
Cashman Explains Stance as Yanks Introduce Soriano
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and NotGraphs Baseball
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Reyes likes NYC, but no contract during season — Yesterday at Citi Field, Jose Reyes told reporters he is not interested in talking about his contract during the season. — “I want to be focused trying to help this team win,” he explained. “I just want to play baseball for now.”
Discussion:
New York Post
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Steve Popper / NorthJersey.com:
It's wait and see for Jose Reyes, Mets — NEW YORK - The enthusiasm was real and familiar, with Jose Reyes seeming as if he was ready to begin spring training Wednesday morning as he excitedly spoke first to a group of fifth- and sixth-grade kids and then to the media.
Tim Kurkjian / MLB:
Colombia has a passion for many things, including baseball — Longtime baseball man tells how the Latin American country has a passion for the game — The Casa De Abuela, or “Grandmother's House,” is a $60-a-night hotel in Turbaco, a community outside of Cartagena, Colombia.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Harper No. 2 among top outfield prospects — Angels' Trout could develop fast; Harper ready to get started … Outfielders come in all shapes and sizes. Some are speedy, top-of-the-lineup types, others are big bashers. The ultimate prize, of course, is a five-tool outfielder.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Former All-Star Chavez works out for Dodgers — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers worked out free-agent third baseman Eric Chavez at their Camelback Ranch-Glendale training facility in Arizona on Thursday. — Among club officials attending the workout were assistant general managers De Jon Watson …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Twins Agree To Terms With Carl Pavano — The Twins have agreed to terms with right-hander Carl Pavano on a two-year, $16.5MM contract, according to a team press release. Pavano will earn $8MM next season and $8.5MM in 2012, plus an extra $500K should he reach certain incentive clauses.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town and HardballTalk
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Ken Rosenthal / mlbbuzz:
Sources: Pavano “seriously considered” Yankees
Sources: Pavano “seriously considered” Yankees
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, ESPN, Subway Squawkers, MLB Rumors, Bronx Baseball Daily, TYU and The Sommer Frieze
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Projo Sox Blog
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
Deer antlers: the hot new PED — Given how many baseball players spend their offseasons hunting you'd think we would have heard about this by now, but this is the first I've heard of ground up deer antlers being used by athletes as a PED: … Apparently the active ingredient — IGF-1 …
Discussion:
Tedquarters
Bob Ryan / Boston Globe:
It occurs to me that . . . Emptying Out the Desk Drawer of the Sports Mind: — Tell me why anyone over 6-6 is allowed to enter a dunk contest. — As an aside, I saw Nate Robinson, who might be 5-8, touch a piece of padding that was a good foot above the rim at Celtics practice the other day.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Inbox: Everyday role in Texas unlikely for Vlad — Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers questions from fans — Why were we going after Jim Thome very heavily, but not Vladimir Guerrero, when we just announced Michael Young as our new designated hitter? If Thome signed, I believe …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Executive excellence — Lucchino worthy of Fuchs Award — You know the best thing you can say about Larry Lucchino in his role as CEO of the Red Sox? He sticks up for his organization. — Whether it's challenging agents like Scott Boras, or defending the team's name nationally …
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Last Type A signing sets Draft's first-round order — Thirty-three selections will be made, three of them by Rays — When Carl Pavano re-signed with the Twins on Wednesday, the story wasn't only about the best remaining starting pitching on the open market coming to terms.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Brew Beat
Dave Gershman / Beyond the Box Score:
Who Gets the Scoop? Major League Reporters, Ranked. — Ever wonder if there were standings ranking America's best baseball reporters? — Wonder no more. This actually took a few hours, but I've compiled the standings of Major League deals broken to the public by reporter by scouring MLBTR …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …, THE BOOK and Lookout Landing
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Prospect Watch: Top 10 shortstops — Orioles' Machado tops list of young players on the rise … Teams will always say they are looking for talent up the middle. True shortstops are a rare commodity indeed. One who can hit and field almost automatically goes to the top of prospect lists.
Discussion:
Mariners blog and MetsMinorLeagueBlog.com
RELATED:
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Prospect Watch: Top 10 second basemen