Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: Pineiro expected to sign with Red Sox … Free-agent pitcher Joel Pineiro is closing in on a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, two baseball sources told ESPN.com. The deal is believed to be worth a guaranteed $4 million plus incentives, and is conditional on Pineiro passing a physical exam.
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Sports Illustrated:
Room for improvement (cont.) — 6. Giants. If their youth movement appears to consist of one man (Barry Zito), it's a good one to have. Stat lovers find fault with Zito's WHIP (walks and hits per inning), but he's a winner, he's dependable, he knows the territory and his 3.55 ERA will go below 3 in the National League.
Discussion:
Off the Facade, Mets Today, Lone Star Ball, MetsBlog.com, Hot Foot and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Lawrence in team's sights — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates are among the finalists to sign free agent Brian Lawrence, who twice was the San Diego Padres' opening-day starter but missed all of last season after having shoulder surgery.
Associated Press:
Lifelong Red Sox fan dies at 112 — MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. — Kathryn Gemme, a lifelong Red Sox fan who followed the team since the days of Babe Ruth, has died. She was 112. — Gemme died at the Nemasket Healthcare Center in Middleborough on Friday, according to the O'Neill Funeral Home.
Discussion:
The Griddle
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ESPN:
After repeated denials, Saban takes Bama job — Nick Saban has accepted an offer from Alabama to coach the Crimson Tide and leave the Miami Dolphins, two weeks after declaring "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach." — Saban's agreement with Alabama is for eight years and a fully-guaranteed $32 million …
Discussion:
Sun-Sentinel, Sports Scope, The Sports Economist, Deadspin, The FanHouse, With Leather and American Legends
Associated Press:
Embattled Ponson agrees to minor league deal with Twins — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — MINNEAPOLIS — Sidney Ponson will try again this spring to revive his once-promising career, and the Minnesota Twins will feel a little bit better about their rotation if he's successful.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Roch Kubatko / Baltimore Sun:
Perlozzo savors the power of lunch — Dining and joking with Huff pay off — A pre-Christmas lunch for Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo consisted of breaking bread and cracking jokes. And it went a long way toward satisfying the team's hunger for a power-hitting outfielder and first baseman.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Rkubatko / Roch Around the Clock:Standing in a lineup — No, this isn't another entry about the Bengals.
Discussion:
Oriole Post
USA Today:
Source tells USA TODAY Yankees will trade Johnson to Arizona this week — The Arizona Diamondbacks expect to complete a deal with the New York Yankees by the end of the week to bring back pitcher Randy Johnson, according to a high-ranking Diamondbacks official familiar with the negotiations.
Discussion:
6-4-2, Pride of the Yankees, DRays Bay, New York Times, Baseball Musings, The Big Lead, The LoHud Yankees Blog, MLB Rumors and MLB Trade Rumors
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Around the Horn: Catchers — Miller gearing up for new role as reserve backstop in 2007 … MILWAUKEE — Brewers catcher Damian Miller spent some time last summer talking about preparation with Jeff Cirillo, a fellow veteran who successfully made the transition from full-time starter to part-time fill-in.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Deadspin:
A Deadspin Special Report: Another Vixen Thrown Into the Mix — So, progress has been limited thus far. I've put in the call to both Justine Gilman and Lori Nelson (advisor and "coach", respectively) of the fabled Song Girls but I am not expecting a message return.
Marcus Hayes / Centre Daily Times:
Howard should expect raise of about $1 million — Ryan Howard is shopping for a new agent. As far as the Phillies are concerned, he can take his time. — "We're not doing something on Ryan Howard. He's not our priority," assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
Jeff Sackmann / Hardball Times:
Free Agents (Still) Worth Watching — When Barry Zito and Jeff Suppan signed their contracts last week, it felt a bit like the free-agent season was coming to a close. It's probably true that we've seen the last eight-figure annual contract (until Roger Clemens makes a decision, anyway) …
Discussion:
Knuckle Curve
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
O'Dowd: Bench help on the way — With two 40-man spots open, the Rockies' roster roulette is close to stopping on a left-handed bat off the bench and a catcher. — Colorado has agreed in principle with a reserve hitter, though general manager Dan O'Dowd said Tuesday he wasn't ready to reveal the player.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats' Johnson May Miss First Month — Washington Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson is well enough to fly, well enough to walk without crutches, well enough to travel with his wife for a Las Vegas getaway, as he did this week. But he still has a limp — favoring the right leg he broke …
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Around the Horn: Catchers — Improvements earn Laird another shot as starting backstop — ARLINGTON — Gerald Laird has thrown out 37 of 91 baserunners attempting to steal on him in the 149 games he has caught at the Major League level. — That includes 134 games started …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Around the Horn: Catchers — Taking over for Piazza, Lo Duca makes the position his own … NEW YORK — Paul Lo Duca hadn't yet completed the first eight innings of his Mets tenure when he already made his share of positive first impressions: a run-scoring single in the third inning …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Lemieux meeting today with K.C. officials — Pens' owners also set to discuss 'Plan B' with city, Pa. leaders — By Dave Molinari, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — Kansas City officials, eager to find an anchor tenant for a new arena, will get their first opportunity to lure the Penguins there today.
Discussion:
Field of Schemes
Associated Press:
Fingers owes Wisconsin over $1.4M — MILWAUKEE (AP) - Hall of Fame pitcher Rollie Fingers owes Wisconsin more than $1.4 million in income taxes and is the seventh biggest tax delinquent in the state. — The state Department of Revenue lists Roland G. Fingers as owing $1,433,609.
