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.
Discussion:
Fire Brand of the …, Oriole Post, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Rumors, Over the Monster, MetsBlog.com and Yanksfan vs Soxfan
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Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Boston adds starter to closer mix — BOSTON (AP) — Joel Pineiro reached a preliminary agreement on a $4 million, one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, who are turning to the former Seattle starter as a contender for their vacant closer's job. — The contract includes $2 million …
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Report: Sox set to sign Pineiro — Right-handed starter would provide Boston bullpen depth — BOSTON — In a move that would mainly help from a depth standpoint, the Red Sox are reportedly on the verge of signing free agent right-hander Joel Pineiro to a one-year deal worth roughly $4 million.
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Big Unit to Arizona all but finalized — A source close to the situation has told Newsday that Randy Johnson has already agreed to a one-year extension with the Diamondbacks. — Randy Johnson is now on board with his trade back to Arizona. All that's left is for the Yankees and Diamondbacks …
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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, Always Amazin', Lone Star Ball, Can't Stop The Bleeding, MetsBlog.com and Hot Foot
Scott Miller / CBS SportsLine.com:
'Incentive' key word in Arizona's interest in Big Unit — For winning the NL Cy Young Award in November, Arizona ace Brandon Webb received in the form of an incentive payment exactly ... zero dollars. — Minnesota's Johan Santana, meanwhile, earned $100,000 for winning the AL Cy Young.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Loretta won't be coming to Rangers — Free agent infielder Mark Loretta, to whom the Rangers extended a contract offer last month, has told the club he will sign elsewhere, a club source said Wednesday. — That means chances continue to improve that either or both of the club's top …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers want, likely won't get Loretta — Texas makes offer, but utility infielder wants more playing time — ARLINGTON — The Rangers have made an offer to utility infielder Mark Loretta, but they have been told that he will sign somewhere else. — Texas is looking for a utility infielder …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Study claims imaging tests show larger rubber core — CLEVELAND — A company that uses computer imaging claims baseballs had a larger rubberized core and a synthetic rubber ring in 1998, including the ball Mark McGwire hit for his 70th homer. — Universal Medical Systems Inc. said Wednesday …
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Bill Simmons / ESPN:A hall of justice — Editor's note: This article appears …
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Only Baseball Matters
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.
Associated Press:
Fingers owes Wisconsin more than $1.4 million in income taxes — MILWAUKEE - 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.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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MLB.com:
Rockies agree to terms on two-year contract with infielder Jamey Carroll — Deal will be final upon completion of a phyisical; Includes club option for 2009 — DENVER — The Colorado Rockies announced today that they have agreed to terms on a two-year contract for 2007 and 2008 with infielder Jamey Carroll.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals still interested in Ohka — Righty previously spent three-plus seasons with organization — WASHINGTON — The Nationals still are looking for starting pitching, and right-hander Tomo Ohka is on the top of the list. But whether they can sign him is another story.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards have chance to keep Mulder — As the pursuit of free agent lefthander Mark Mulder nears a resolution, Texas and Cleveland have recently upped the ante on the Cardinals. But as promised, the pitcher's agent is circling back to the Cardinals to give them a chance to revise their proposal.
Daniel Rubin / Blinq:
Here Today — Most of the names have gotten out by now, but little scenes, watched from across the newsroom, fill in the blanks. The home and design writer arrives with an empty cardboard box, here to pick up her things. She got word late Tuesday. Same with the fine arts editor.
New York Times:
After Rotation, Yankees Still Seek Help at First — The Yankees continued their attempt to trade Randy Johnson yesterday, talking with multiple teams about a deal. The most likely match remains Johnson's former team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, but Arizona has not been granted a 72-hour window to speak with him.
