Top News:
Aaron Gleeman / HardballTalk:
Red Sox owner John Henry: “I personally opposed” signing Carl Crawford — During an appearance on CBS Radio in Boston this afternoon Red Sox owner John Henry explained that he “personally opposed” the team's decision to sign free agent Carl Crawford to a seven-year, $142 million contract last offseason.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer … and Al's Ramblings
RELATED:
Alex Speier / WEEI:
HENRY: ‘PERSONALLY OPPOSED’ SIGNING CRAWFORD — Red Sox principal owner John Henry, in an appearance on CBS Radio, said that the signing of outfielder Carl Crawford to a seven-year, $142 million contract was a decision driven purely by baseball rather than concern about declining TV ratings.
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, Over the Monster, Baseball Nerd and Yahoo! Sports
Matthew Geagan / CBS Boston:
Henry Denies Red Sox Owners Involved In Globe Francona Story — “The author of the story has gone on the record as saying we did not participate in that,” Henry told Felger and Massarotti Friday afternoon. — “I don't condemn Bob Hohler for writing a story,” said Henry.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Surviving Grady, Fenway West and NESN.com
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Henry takes to the airwaves to defend Sox; says he did not support Crawford signing — Red Sox owner John Henry, angry with what he was hearing on 98.5 The Sports Hub this afternoon, arrived at the station at 2:20 p.m. and demanded to be heard. — Henry was primarily upset …
Billy Lanni / CBS Boston:
John Henry Invades Felger & Massarotti — Boston Red Sox principal owner John Henry came to the 98.5 The Sports Hub studios to clear the air about the recent moves made by the Red Sox organization. — Henry touched on a number of topics, including Terry Francona, Theo Epstein and the Red Sox clubhouse.
Discussion:
SportsGrid, NESN.com and Boston Sports Media Watch
Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
Mets hire Bob Geren to be the bench coach — The Mets announced they have hired Bob Geren to be their new bench coach. — “Bob Geren's experience as a former manager and bench coach will be a great fit for us,” Terry Collins said in a statement. “Adding a former major league catcher like Bob to our staff will be ideal.”
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, Kranepool Society and Tedquarters
RELATED:
Sports Illustrated:
Brewers, Cards seek edge in NLCS — Now that the Milwaukee Brewers have snapped their decades-long postseason road losing streak, they have a chance to regain the advantage in their NL championship series against the St. Louis Cardinals. — Looking to build on their first playoff road win in 29 years …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Brew Crew Ball
RELATED:
Chicago Sun Times:
Carlos Pena sold on Theo Epstein's way of doing things — Theo Epstein thought enough of Carlos Pena five years ago to sign him with the Red Sox organization. Does he think enough of Pena now to keep the pending free agent in a Cubs uniform next year? — Pena, for one, thinks the hiring …
Discussion:
ESPN and Washington Post
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
What's the delay in hiring Epstein?
What's the delay in hiring Epstein?
Discussion:
ESPN, Bats, Full Count, Boston Globe, MLB Rumors, Boston Herald and New York Times
Alex Speier / WEEI:
SOURCE: SOX-CUBS NEGOTIATIONS HIT BUMP
SOURCE: SOX-CUBS NEGOTIATIONS HIT BUMP
Discussion:
Baseball Nation and Fenway West
Bill Shaikin / Dodgers Blog:
Angels — not Dodgers — close to new TV deal with Fox? — As Dodgers owner Frank McCourt seeks the intervention of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to pursue a new television contract for his team, the Angels could be nearing a lucrative deal of their own with Fox Sports.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
RELATED:
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' bankruptcy could cost Frank McCourt plenty
Dodgers' bankruptcy could cost Frank McCourt plenty
Discussion:
Dodgers Blog and HardballTalk
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
MLB announces All-Star roster for Taiwan trip — Granderson, Cano lead squad in five-game, three-city competition — The group of Major League All-Stars traveling to Taiwan next month for an exhibition series will have a definite Yankees flavor. — Center fielder Curtis Granderson …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Deadspin
Brendan McGair / Pawtucket Times:
Kalish feeling no pain — Four weeks have elapsed since Ryan Kalish underwent surgery to repair a bulging disc in his neck. — “At this point honestly, I can't really tell that anything was done to my neck,” said Kalish via phone from San Francisco, where the Red Sox outfield prospect is conducting his rehab.
Discussion:
Boston Globe and Projo Sox Blog
Jonathan Mahler / New York Times:
It's All ‘Moneyball’ Now — If you're interested in learning how agile, innovative thinking can triumph over deep pockets, go out and see “Moneyball” — or just stay home and watch baseball's 2011 playoffs. — Of the four teams that are still alive — the Detroit Tigers, the Texas Rangers …
Discussion:
Bats and Baseball Nation
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Indians look within to fill coaching vacancies — Radinsky, Miller and Wiedenbauer assume new roles with club — CLEVELAND — The Indians looked internally to fill the vacancies on manager Manny Acta's coaching staff. — On Friday, Cleveland announced that Scott Radinsky has been named …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports