Top News:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
In the Neighborhood, the Mets Stop at Suppan's — Mets officials returned last night after spending less than 24 hours in Southern California visiting not one, but two free-agent pitchers. They followed up Tuesday night's dinner meeting with their top target, Barry Zito, and his agent …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Mets have backup plan for Zito in Suppan — Left-hander Barry Zito wasn't the only free-agent pitcher that Mets' executives visited in southern California. — The Mets, perhaps lining up an alternative if Zito signs with another club, also met with free-agent right-hander Jeff Suppan, major-league sources tell FOXSports.com.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding, MetsBlog.com, MLB Rumors, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Al's Ramblings
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:Mets talk to Jeff Suppan in case Zito deal folds
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
Associated Press:
Alou, Thome information found in suspect's home — CHICAGO — Police have found personal information on White Sox slugger Jim Thome and Mets outfielder Moises Alou at the home of a man charged with identity theft. — David Dright, 38, faces 27 counts of identity theft involving …
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets have Zito for dinner, Supp for dessert — Barry Zito dined with the Mets on Tuesday. And before team officials departed Los Angeles, they met with another free-agent starting pitcher, too. — Mets brass - which flew cross-country to meet with Zito and agent Scott Boras …
Associated Press:
Cubs promote Bush to assistant GM — Randy Bush was promoted to assistant general manager by the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. — Bush, a member of two World Series winning teams with the Minnesota Twins, had joined the Cubs as a special assistant to general manager Jim Hendry on Jan. 26 …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Bush gets call as Cubs' assistant GM — 55 days . . . until cubs pitchers and catchers report to spring training. — The Cubs named Randy Bush assistant general manager Wednesday, filling a position that had been vacant since Jim Hendry's ascension to the general manager's office in 2002.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Tapping In to an Economy of Sale — Dominican Prospects Such as the Nationals' Esmailyn Gonzalez Are Products Of a System Where Players Are Auctioned Off by Sometimes Unethical Agents — PIZARRETE, Dominican Republic The face of the Washington Nationals' presence in Latin America dodges gaping potholes …
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Chris Constancio / Hardball Times:
Will Brandon Wood Strike Out? — He was named The Sporting News' Minor League Baseball Player of the Year in 2005. Baseball America rated him the third-best prospect in baseball last winter. He launched 101 extra-base hits in 2005 and has been involved in dozens of major league trade rumors since then.
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Could Marlins' Cabrera be first $200 million player? — It's three years away. — No pressing need for the Marlins to look that far ahead. But if anyone from owner Jeffrey Loria to General Manager Larry Beinfest already has hit the fast forward button, they likely returned to the present in a hurry.
Fran Spielman / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs woo Dave Matthews despite poo — After committing nearly $300 million to free agents this winter, the Cubs are more desperate than ever for cash not subject to Major League Baseball's revenue-sharing edict. — Enter the Dave Matthews Band, whose bus driver unloaded 800 pounds …
MLB.com:
Royals sign relief pitcher David Riske to one-year deal with '08 option — KANSAS CITY, MO. — The Kansas City Royals have signed right-handed reliever David Riske to one-year contract for the 2007 season with an option for 2008. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves name new TV broadcast team — Sciambi to join Simpson for FSN, SportsSouth telecasts — ATLANTA — For more than a decade, fans could turn on a television broadcast of a Braves game and know there was a good chance that they'd see either Pete Van Wieren, Skip Caray, Don Sutton or Joe Simpson.
Discussion:
Braves Journal
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Average MLB salary up 9 percent to nearly $2.7 million … NEW YORK // Baseball salaries were booming even before the free-agent escalation that began more than a month ago. — The average salary shot up 9 percent this year to $2,699,292, according to final figures released Wednesday by the Major League Baseball Players Association.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Barajas has deal with Phillies pending exam … Veteran catcher Rod Barajas has reached agreement on a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies pending a physical exam. — The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the contract is for one year with an option for a second year. Terms of the deal weren't available.
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Associated Press:
Strawberry: Jeter must embrace A-Rod — NEW YORK - Darryl Strawberry thinks the Yankees' clubhouse is beset by bad chemistry that can be cured only one way: Derek Jeter needs to "embrace" Alex Rodriguez. — "They've got to come together," Strawberry said Tuesday.
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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Ken Davidoff / AM New York:Yankees — 'Embrace' A-Rod — Strawberry urges pal Jeter …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Klesko joins exodus to S.F. — Padres awarded extra draft pick for slugger, 35 — The Padres added to their stockpile of draft picks yesterday when Ryan Klesko ended his seven-season run as a Padre by signing a one-year contract with San Francisco. — Klesko joins manager Bruce Bochy …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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