Top News:
Dallas Morning News:
Zito's deal would burden Rangers — The Rangers got some good news Thursday. They aren't going to be the ones to overpay Barry Zito. — Texas fans should embrace the Giants' decision to lure Zito across the Bay Bridge with a seven-year, $126-million contract.
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Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Zito set to sign a Giant contract — Tom Hicks would have enjoyed seeing Barry Zito in a Rangers uniform, but he's known for awhile that it was little more than a mirage. In conversations with Scott Boras, Zito's agent, Hicks was told that Boras had an offer on the table for seven years.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Zito's deal too giant for Rangers to match — Hicks' offer topped out at $99 million if pitcher stayed for seven years — At least Barry Zito promptly complied with the Rangers' request for an answer to their contract offer. — Rangers officials confirmed early Thursday they were told Zito will sign elsewhere.
Nate Silver / Baseball Prospectus:
Barry Zito and "Smart" versus "Dumb" Projections — We probably don't need to tell you that the Giants overpaid for Barry Zito. But understanding just how and why Zito was overpaid is revealing. — My first reaction upon learning about the signing was to plug Zito's contract …
San Francisco Chronicle:Giants finally make a big splash, sign Zito to largest pitcher contract ever
NY Daily News:
Yanks, D-Backs close to Unit deal — The Diamondbacks have been the most aggressive suitors for Randy Johnson and sources close to the negotiations said yesterday that the Yankees and Arizona could complete a trade to send Johnson back to the desert before next week.
NY Daily News:
Omar balks at years, is in for long days — Two winters ago, the Mets were as desperate to make a statement as the Giants are now, and overpaying for Pedro Martinez was a necessary first step toward respectability. This winter they are far from desperate, and as such they had every right …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
No joy in Metville; Omar has struck out — Columnist Ken Davidoff feels the Mets have taken a step back by not signing the high-profile pitcher. — The Giants completed their seven-year, $126-million agreement with Barry Zito very late Wednesday night, and immediately …
Bob Klapisch / Associated Press:
No ace in the hole — When word began spreading that Barry Zito was handed the winning Power Ball ticket by the Giants on Thursday, one major league executive chuckled and said, "someone better talk Omar [Minaya] off the ledge." It was meant as a joke. Then again, with the Mets' starting rotation full …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
Murcer surgery called a success — Bobby Murcer emerged in good spirits yesterday from six hours of surgery to remove a brain tumor and, according to close family sources, the Yankee legend's doctor was "completely happy" with how the operation went. — According to former Yankee publicist Marty Appel …
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Ed Price / New Jersey Online:
Murcer is recuperating from brain tumor surgery — NEW YORK — Yankees broadcaster Bobby Murcer yesterday underwent a five-hour operation to remove a brain tumor. No prognosis was immediately available. — The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston announced that Murcer …
Rocky Mountain News:
Ringolsby: Endorsed checks for Gwynn, Ripken — Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. represented what baseball would like to be during their playing careers. — Each played for only one team - Gwynn with San Diego for 20 years and Ripken with Baltimore for 21 - ignoring the lure of the bright lights …
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Bombers reunion on tap in April — The Big Cat's big honor, induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, will likely extend beyond a formal banquet. The Rockies are planning to honor the Blake Street Bombers in conjunction with Andres Galarraga's induction on April 10.
Jeff Sackmann / Hardball Times:
More Fun With Rotation Numbers — My article on Wednesday, How Good Is Your #4 Starter, presented some counterintuitive findings on starting rotations, such as—big surprise—how good an average #4 starter is. Due to injuries and the related fact that the guy who starts the year …
