Ballbug: Raisman: Brian should Cash in on reality show (NY Daily News)

Joe Stiglich / Contra Costa Times:

A's not giving up on outfield prospect Chris Carter — Many reporters were on hand to interview Chris Carter on Thursday at the A's preseason media day. — That shows interest remains high in the power-hitting outfielder, even as his stock appears to be low in the eyes of the A's brass.

Discussion: MLB Rumors, U.S.S. Mariner, MLB Daily Dish, Fanhouse MLB Blog, Bleacher Report, HardballTalk and Angels blog

Source: Oakland A's trying to trade for Chone Figgins — A source with knowledge of the situation said the A's are trying to trade for Seattle infielder Chone Figgins, and that current A's third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and perhaps a pitcher could be shipped to the Mariners in return.

Discussion: Lookout Landing and Seattle Times

Gary Peterson / insideBayArea:

A's future, and uniforms, are bright as gold — The A's future is so bright, they have to wear shades. Or perhaps the new uniforms are an issue. — “It's blinding me right now,” offseason acquisition Josh Willingham said Thursday, clad in a screaming gold jersey at a meet and greet with local media.

Discussion: The Nationals Enquirer

Joel Sherman / New York Post:

Hal: ‘No problem’ with Yankees GM — Hal Steinbrenner does not think Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is insubordinate. He does not think Cashman is trying to get fired. He does not think Cashman is saying anything outrageous publicly. — What does the Yankees owner think about his general manager?

Discussion: River Avenue Blues, HardballTalk, BronxBanterBlog.com, TYU, baseballmusings.com, Fanhouse MLB Blog and It's About The Money

NY Daily News:

Raisman: Brian should Cash in on reality show — Yankees GM Brian Cashman goes over the edge of the Landmark Building in December. His behavior lately may spark a reality TV show, in the mold of Snooki and Kim Kardashian (below). — Considering the hot stuff coming out of the Yankee …

Discussion: lenNY's Yankees

Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Cashman serves up drinks, Pettitte talk

Discussion: The LoHud Yankees Blog, Newsday and Pinstripe Alley

Dallas Morning News:

Ken Rosenthal: Part of Daniels knows trading Young is right move — Micheal Young (left) hit .284 with 99 runs scored and 91 RBIs in 2010. — Ken Rosenthal, baseball writer for Fox Sports, was interviewed on KESN-FM on Thursday and talked about the Texas Rangers and Michael Young.

Former Rockies' reliever Beimel headed to Pirates — Joe Beimel spent a little over one year with the Rockies, leaving an indelible mark with his performance and music. He told The Denver Post tonight that he's signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates, lured by the role, manager Clint Hurdle and family in the area.

Discussion: Where Have You Gone … and HardballTalk

Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
No new Rocks' talk on Rangers' Young

Discussion: HardballTalk, Purple Row, ESPN and Texas Rangers

Peter Botte / NY Daily News:

Mets owner Fred Wilpon happy with new GM Sandy Alderson, expects Mets to be good in 2011 — Fred Wilpon finished up a story about how even his dogs don't want to go out in the snow anymore by declaring Thursday night, “I'm ready for spring training.” — But are the Mets ready, the team's longtime owner was asked?

Discussion: MetsBlog.com

Mets see Omar Minaya in advisory role — NEW YORK — New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon said Thursday night that he wants former general manager Omar Minaya to return to the organization in an advisory role. — “I think Omar is a very good man and a very good person also,” …

Discussion: HardballTalk and Amazin' Avenue

Nick Collias / MLB Rumors:

Spanish Links: Garcia, Belaguer, Rangers — Links in Spanish as the 2011 Caribbean Series inches closer... - The White Sox may be considering Freddy Garcia, but Garcia had a different team in his sights when he spoke yesterday with Israel Pacheco Velásquez from the Venezuelan paper Meridiano.

Discussion: Pinstriped Bible … and Sliding Into Home

Discussion: HardballTalk

Duk / Yahoo! Sports:

Video: Brian Wilson wears sea captain costume on George Lopez — Not to worry, lovers of half-baked punk rawk-baseball comedy: San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson — appears to be in midseason form with his one-off imitation of Andy Dick. — Yes, the Bearded One surfaced …

MLB.com:

Twins Announce Plans To Retire Bert Blyleven's Number 28 — Will Become Sixth Twins Player To Have Number Retired; Bert Blyleven Day Set For July 16 — Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN - The Minnesota Twins announced today that they will honor 2011 Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven by retiring …

Discussion: HardballTalk

Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:

Bobby Valentine is taking public service very seriously — We all shook our heads when Bobby Valentine was named the public safety director for Stamford, Connecticut, but the dude is committed: he was caught on film directing traffic near the I-95 on-ramp this morning. Click through for the video.

Discussion: Amazin' Avenue, Kranepool Society and Mets Merized Online