Top News:
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Dodgers, Torre agree on three-year deal — The Dodgers and Joe Torre have agreed on a three-year deal worth close to $15 million. Torre could be introduced in Los Angeles as soon as Thursday. — This process was started several day ago. A preliminary agreement was reached on Monday …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Girardi's the right man for the job — By turning the club over to a much younger manager in Joe Girardi and giving him a three-year deal, the Yankees have created a situation in which the manager's incentives more closely reflect the long-term goals of the club, which revolve around young pitchers.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Girardi Takes First Step Toward a New Legacy — All along, it was going to take an extraordinary candidate to make the Yankees say no to Don Mattingly as their next manager. Mattingly is probably the most beloved Yankee of the last 25 years, and his passion and knowledge of the game are unquestioned.
George King / New York Post:
JOE GOES HOLLYWOOD — TORRE AGREES TO MANAGE DODGERS — With Grady Little out of the way in L.A., Joe Torre is the Dodgers' first choice to take over the club. According to sources Torre has agreed in principle to a three-year deal worth $14.5 million and could be introduced tomorrow …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:Dodgers may get more than manager — Joe Torre can't pitch or hit …
Curt Schilling / 38 Pitches:
Free Agency? Weird. — Hard to believe that after 21 years in professional baseball, the first day of free agency would come when I was 40 years old. I've not been a free agent for one day of my career before today...... Filing for free agency is weird. I never knew or thought about how it happened.
RELATED:
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Astros interested in Hunter, Rowand — General manager Wade confirms contacting players' agents — HOUSTON — The free-agent filing period officially began on Monday, and already, clubs are contacting agents while laying the groundwork for their offseason plans.
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Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
Minaya should open Mets' vault for A-Rod — Alex Rodriguez, right, sits in the stands at Shea Stadium with agent Scott Boras during the 2000 World Series. The Mets failed to sign Rodriguez when he was a free agent that winter. (Newsday / David L. Pokress)
Discussion:
Archie Bunker's Army
RELATED:
Sarah Talalay / Sun-Sentinel:
Miami-Dade: Marlins' share key to ballpark deal — MIAMI - A panel of Miami-Dade County commissioners gave the go-ahead Tuesday to continue negotiating a deal for a Marlins ballpark at the site of the Orange Bowl, but three commissioners said they will balk if the team lowers the amount it committed to the project earlier this year.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Mark Feinsand / Blogging the Bombers:
MO MEETING WITH YANKS TODAY — A deal to bring Mariano Rivera back to the Bronx may be in the works, as the All-Star closer and his agent are meeting with the Yankees today at Legends Field. — Fernando Cuza, who represents Rivera, showed up at the Yankees' spring ballpark around 11:45 a.m., accompanied by two of his associates.
Discussion:
New York Post, MLB Trade Rumors, Scott Proctor's Arm, MY BASEBALL BIAS and WasWatching.com
RELATED:
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers' Perez files for free agency — Pair of suspensions dampened only season in Detroit — Neifi Perez, whose second suspension for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy will carry into next season, is officially a free agent. The former Tigers utility infielder filed on Tuesday.
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Boone formally files for free agency — Infielder has expressed interest in returning to the Marlins — MIAMI — The formalities continue as Aaron Boone became the second Marlins player in two days to formally file for free agency. — The 34-year-old infielder is one of three Marlins eligible to file for free agency.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Sweeney, Riske become free agents — Royals may be interested in re-signing team captain, reliever — KANSAS CITY — Designated hitter Mike Sweeney and pitcher David Riske, two players the Royals might be interested in retaining, filed for free agency on Tuesday.
John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer:
Baker to tweak roster — Reds skipper will be 'an adviser' to Krivsky — digg us! del.icio.us! — Now that Reds manager Dusty Baker's coaching staff is complete, he's ready to get to work tweaking the roster. — The club officially hired Chris Speier as bench/infield coach and Juan Lopez as bullpen coach Tuesday.
Discussion:
ShysterBall
Todd Jones / Sporting News:
What comes to mind when facing Manny and Papi? Duck! — Not since Batman and Robin have two people coexisted better than David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. — Manny is a big kid. He watches cartoons and has these childlike traits that can drive some crazy. Big Papi is the big superstar and loves it.
Discussion:
Hardball Times
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers decline options on two players — Contracts of Lieberthal, Martinez not picked up for 2008 — LOS ANGELES — Grady Little wasn't the only Dodger parting company with the club on Tuesday. — Management declined the options of backup catcher Mike Lieberthal and utility infielder Ramon Martinez.
Discussion:
Mets Fever
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Coaching staff for 2008 — This is not yet official, but it appears the coaching staff will shake out this way: — Pitching: Dave Eiland — Hitting: Kevin Long — Bench: Rob Thomson — Third base: Bobby Meacham — First base/catching: Tony Pena — Bullpen: Mike Harkey
