Top News:
Pat Graham / Associated Press:
Orioles send Rodrigo Lopez to Rockies for 2 minor leaguers — DENVER (AP) — The Colorado Rockies obtained right-hander Rodrigo Lopez from the Baltimore Orioles on Friday for minor league right-handers Jim Miller and Jason Burch. — Lopez was 9-18 with a 5.90 ERA last season in 29 starts and seven relief appearances.
RELATED:
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:O's trade R. Lopez to Rockies for two relievers
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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 …
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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:
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.
RELATED:
yesnetwork.com:
Former Yankee Jeff Nelson retires — The New York Yankees announced that right-handed pitcher Jeff Nelson - who earlier Friday was signed by the Yankees and invited to Spring Training - has announced his retirement. — Nelson, 40, was a member of four World Championship teams with the Yankees in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Discussion:
Off the Facade
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 …
Discussion:
Free Lance-Star, District of Baseball, Tales Of A Transplanted …, MetsBlog.com and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
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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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Mets still looking to fill holes in rotation — Jorge Sosa. Ramon Ortiz. Aaron Sele. — Those are the types of free-agent pitchers the Mets are considering as they continue their search for additional help for their starting rotation, with Sosa perhaps the leading option.
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 …
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 …
Discussion:
The Pastime
Baseball America:
Washington Nationals — Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched …
Discussion:
MLB.com
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.
RELATED:
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 …
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 …
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.
