Top News:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats sign pitchers Williams, Claussen — Team adds depth by agreeing to terms with veteran hurlers — WASHINGTON — In need of pitching depth, the Nationals agreed to terms with Jerome Williams and Brandon Claussen on Friday. — If Williams makes the 25-man roster out of Spring Training …
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets hopeful after Perez re-signs — Club keeps southpaw, close to deal with righty Sosa — NEW YORK — Rick Peterson, the Mets' pitching coach, seldom moves through the team's Spring Training clubhouse at a leisurely pace. He always has some place to be, someone to see — and, come February, someone to fix.
Associated Press:
Perez agrees to one-year deal with Mets — Left-hander will compete in Spring Training for spot in rotation — NEW YORK — Postseason savior Oliver Perez and the New York Mets agreed Friday to a one-year contract worth $2,325,000. — Acquired July 31 from Pittsburgh with reliever Roberto Hernandez …
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
O's trade R. Lopez to Rockies for two relievers … Content with their starting pitching depth, the Orioles today have agreed to trade right-hander Rodrigo Lopez, their Opening Day starter three of the past five seasons, to the Colorado Rockies for two minor leaguers.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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Joe Mandak / Associated Press:
Nutting to replace McClatchy as Pirates' controlling owner — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pirates chairman of the board Robert Nutting will replace Kevin McClatchy as controlling owner of the team. — McClatchy, who headed the group that bought the team before the 1996 season …
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Mark Healey / Gotham Baseball:
The Rumor Mill: Coffee is for Closers — A lot of people we have spoken with over the last few weeks are mixed on their reactions to the New York Mets' offseason. — Sees like those who are confused about what Mets general manager Omar Minaya's motivations and machinations are …
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Jeff Sackmann / Hardball Times:Is Scott Schoeneweis Any Good? — The Mets are closing …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Associated Press:
Nelson calls it quits as a Yankee — Pitcher agrees to minor league contract, then retires — NEW YORK (AP) — Jeff Nelson wanted to retire as a member of the New York Yankees, so he agreed Friday to a minor league contract and then said he wouldn't play anymore.
Discussion:
The Bard's Room
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Mychael Urban / MLB.com:
A's make play for free agent Erstad — Assistant GM Forst confirms one-year contract offer — OAKLAND — The A's have made a one-year contract offer to free-agent first baseman/outfielder Darin Erstad, MLB.com learned on Friday afternoon. — Oakland assistant general manager David Forst …
MLB.com:
Nationals agree to terms with pitchers Jerome Williams and Brandon Claussen — The Washington Nationals today added depth to their starting rotation by agreeing to terms with 25 year-old right-handed pitcher Jerome Williams on a one-year contract. The Nationals also agreed to terms …
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wainwright prepares to start again — ROLE CHANGE The closer on the Cards' 2006 World Series champs will compete for a spot in the rotation. — STILL MOTIVATED: Despite his success last season, Wainwright is taking nothing for granted. — Mark Mulder was, naturally …
Phil Rogers / ESPN:
Relocating a team to Portland makes sense — The idea of baseball in Portland, Ore., is new for a lot of people. But it has been a lifetime habit for Boston Red Sox icon Johnny Pesky, and he's 87 years old. — Pesky was born in 1919 and grew up following his hometown Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League.
Associated Press:
Cubs, Tomas Perez reach minor league deal — CHICAGO (AP) — Infielder Tomas Perez agreed to a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs on Friday and will be invited to the major league spring training camp. — Perez, 33, batted .212 with two home runs and 16 RBIs in 99 games for Tampa Bay last season.
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Associated Press:
Dodgers to open all-you-can-eat section — LOS ANGELES — Right field at Dodger Stadium used to feature cheap seats. This year, there will be lots of food and seats that are no longer cheap. — The Los Angeles Dodgers are converting their right-field pavilion into all-you-can-eat bleachers.
Discussion:
With Leather
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Willis, Cabrera, Morneau and Mauer head arbitration filings — NEW YORK (AP) — Batting champions Joe Mauer and Freddy Sanchez and AL MVP Justin Morneau were among 106 players who filed Friday for salary arbitration, set to get big raises for next season. — Florida's Dontrelle Willis …
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
AP Interview: Sweeney eager to move forward from situation with Bonds — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Mark Sweeney insists he never had any amphetamines in his locker for San Francisco teammate Barry Bonds to take. — Sweeney said Friday he was shocked to learn that Bonds apparently mentioned …
