Top News:
Associated Press:
Report: Bonds failed amphetamine test — NEW YORK — Barry Bonds failed a test for amphetamines last season and originally blamed it on a teammate, the Daily News reported Thursday. — When first informed of the positive test, Bonds attributed it to a substance he had taken …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Michael O'Keeffe / Sports Illustrated:
Friendly disagreement — Bonds' entourage major sticking point in negotiations — NEW YORK — Barry Bonds' buddies have become the biggest obstacle between the embattled slugger and the one-year, $20 million contract the San Francisco Giants offered him more a month ago.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
T.J. Quinn / Sports Illustrated:
Speed trap — Bonds failed amphetamine test, blamed teammate — Barry Bonds, already under investigation for lying under oath about his steroid use, failed a test under Major League Baseball's amphetamine policy last season and then initially blamed it on a teammate, the Daily News has learned.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Around the Horn: Corner Infielders — Slugger moved back to original position of third base in 2006 … MIAMI — In his comparatively short career, Miguel Cabrera has already established himself as one of the premier hitters in the game. But can the Marlins' three-time All-Star emerge as an all-around third baseman?
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:Nats Will Not Offer Robinson a Paid Job
Discussion:
District of Baseball, MLB.com, The Nationals Enquirer, William F. Yurasko and Ben Maller's Sports …
Associated Press:
New Blue Jay Thomson rips Lo Duca's catching — TORONTO — John Thomson was surprisingly candid Wednesday about one of the reasons he chose the Toronto Blue Jays over the Mets: He didn't want to pitch to New York catcher Paul Lo Duca. — Thomson agreed to a $500,000 …
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Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Minaya adds lefty to the pen — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Despite saying he is comfortable with his pitching staff, Mets general manager Omar Minaya keeps tinkering with it. — After striking out on righthander John Thomson, Minaya yesterday reached a preliminary agreement …
Kevin Czerwinski / MLB.com:
Pedro not rushing his return — Mets' ace eager to pitch, but will not rush his comeback — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Pedro Martinez was all smiles Wednesday afternoon as he walked through the Minor League clubhouse at the Mets' Tradition Field complex — and with good reason.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Anthony Rieber / Newsday:A Pedro sighting — Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez is upbeat …
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
Eric Pfahler / TCPalm.com:New York mets mini-camp: 'Hungr' Wright eager for next step
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
ESPN:
Mulder to return to Cardinals — After weeks of speculation, Mark Mulder has finally decided where he will pitch next season. — ESPN's Peter Gammons reported Wednesday that Mulder will return to the St. Louis Cardinals. The guaranteed deal is for two years and $13 million …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos, Bucco Wire, Bucs Dugout, The FYC, Baseball Musings, Let's Go Tribe and Wrigleyville23
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ESPN:
Sources: Schoeneweis close to 3-year deal with Mets — The New York Mets are on the verge of signing free-agent pitcher Scott Schoeneweis to a three-year deal, major league sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. — Schoeneweis has experience as a starter and a reliever …
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Ian Begley / NY Daily News:
Back to the Boogie Down — Former South Bronx star Sanchez hopes to make mark with Bombers — Humberto Sanchez made his annual appearance at South Bronx High School late last month to provide some of the Phoenix baseball players with perspective and instruction from a professional pitcher.
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cubs may still have some moves to make — After spending nearly $300 million this off-season, the Cubs still aren't finished. — The team is trying to add two outfielders, and a trade of right fielder Jacque Jones remains a possibility. — Jones, signed for $9 million over the next two seasons …
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Murcer Says Brain Tumor Is Malignant — Bobby Murcer, a former Yankees outfielder and their longest-serving current announcer, said yesterday that a tumor removed from his brain during surgery on Dec. 28 was malignant. He did not describe his prognosis. — "As we begin a new year …
Charles Elmore / Palm Beach Post:
Governor favors helping build stadium — Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday cited the euphoria over the University of Florida's national football championship among the reasons the state should reverse course and help pay for a Florida Marlins baseball stadium. — "I'm favorably inclined to it," Crist said.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
BWAA chapter honors Atkins — At a recent banquet in California, San Diego Padres general manager Kevin Towers ran into Garrett Atkins. Rather than make small talk, Towers got straight to the point. — "I told him, 'Man, you are a tough out,"' Towers said.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Bryan Smith / Hardball Times:
Ten Prospects to Watch in 2007 — This season, I'm not going to make the same mistake. I'm not going to call them "breakout" prospects. Every year I write this article, and every year, I get dozens of semantics-based hate e-mails. — After a 4.43 ERA in his first professional season …
