Top News:
Brad Hamilton / New York Post:
HEIR TIME FOR YANKEES — KING GEORGE'S SONS ARE TAKING CHARGE — The Steinbrenner boys have taken the reins, Yankees brass has told The Post. — Hank and Hal Steinbrenner will share leadership of father George's beloved Bronx Bombers in an arrangement to be further ironed out at top-level meetings in Tampa this week.
Discussion:
Bugs & Cranks, The Bronx Block, River Ave. Blues, The Yankee Despiser and Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Sports Illustrated:
Will Torre be retained? — Support for manager may be growing in New York — Some Yankees decision-makers have been paying close attention to the reaction of players and fans, and a few people close to the situation are actually beginning to wonder whether Joe Torre is as gone as Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said he would be.
MSNBC:
Steinbrenner relinquishes control of Yankees — N.Y. owner's sons Hank, Hal reportedly to do day-to-day running of team — NEW YORK - The George Steinbrenner era is apparently all but over. — According to a report in the New York Post, the "Boss" has handed over control of the New York Yankees …
Discussion:
6-4-2
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Torrealba's shot puts Rox on the cusp — Catcher's three-run homer instrumental in 3-0 NLCS advantage — DENVER — Yorvit Torrealba answered Diamondbacks pitcher Livan Hernandez's slow pitches with a slow trot that has put the Rockies, owners of what may go down as the greatest fall streak in history …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Confident Diamondbacks defend play — DENVER - Eric Byrnes plopped down in the Coors Field interview room Saturday afternoon, grabbing a pair of microphones on the table and pulling them toward him like pints of suds as if he were ready to opine to the local barkeep.
Jackie MacMullan / Boston Globe:
No relief in sight for Gagné — Ouch. — The wounds are multiple in the wake of Boston's bewildering 13-6 loss to the Cleveland Indians in 11 innings last night at Fenway Park. The obvious and most damaging byproduct is the Red Sox have suddenly coughed up home-field advantage …
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Baker has to conserve Reds' young arms — LIKE THIS STORY? — Dusty Baker will be paid approximately $3.5 million per season during his three-year contract with the Reds, major league sources say. — Some might suggest the contract should include pitch counts for the Reds' top pitching prospect, right-hander Homer Bailey.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Japanese pitcher Kuroda on Cubs' wish list — CLEVELAND — Game 3 starter Daisuke Matsuzaka became the next big thing last winter when Boston shelled out $100 million for a posting fee and contract to reel in the Japanese star. — His first season turned out to be more of a learning experience than most envisioned.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Hoffman has minor surgery on elbow — Padres closer Trevor Hoffman had surgery on his pitching elbow Thursday - an arthroscopic "cleanup" procedure that, according to the club, will have the all-time saves leader ready for Opening Day. — "Hoffy's surgery was very minor - a few bone chips removed," General Manager Kevin Towers said.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
O's keep Crowley as hitting coach — Club expected to make Kranitz offer for pitching coach vacancy — As expected, the Orioles are holding onto longtime hitting coach Terry Crowley for 2008, while they move aggressively toward filling their recently created pitching-coach vacancy.
Childs Walker / Baltimore Sun:
O's, MSA reach agreement on video screen, scoreboard — Deal for $9M video and scoreboard display not yet official — The Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority have reached a tentative agreement to avoid arbitration and spend $9 million to replace the video display and audio systems at Camden Yards.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Report: Reds to hire Baker as skipper — CINCINNATI — The Reds have chosen Dusty Baker as their new manager and have signed him to a three-year contract, ESPN reported on Saturday night. — Baker, currently an ESPN baseball analyst, has 14 seasons of managerial experience with the Giants …
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Detroit Free Press:
JON PAUL MOROSI: Why A-Rod is too rich for the Tigers — Team would have to cut players — Let's suppose Alex Rodriguez really, really wants to be a Tiger. — Let's suppose he opts out of his contract with the New York Yankees. — Let's suppose he decides the high-profile markets …
Discussion:
Mack Avenue Tigers
Barry Jackson / MiamiHerald.com:
Willis, Cabrera: tough duo to keep — Marlins offseason chatter: — • The Marlins, who are very open to making a major trade, have made pitching their clear-cut No. 1 priority but also will try to sign a veteran free agent catcher who works well with a young staff.
