Top News:
NY Daily News:
Yankees set to bring A-Rod back - on their terms — Alex Rodriguez may be headed back to the Bronx after all — but on the Yankees' terms. — Despite all of the back-and-forth posturing between the Yankees and A-Rod' camp, the Daily News learned today that the two sides have been discussing …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, The Bronx Block, YanksBlog.com, Replacement Level …, WasWatching.com, The Big Lead, River Ave. Blues and Hot Foot
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Mike Lupica / NY Daily News:
A-Rod might have staying power with Yankees — If Alex Rodriguez wants to come back to the Yankees, and there are people close to him in Miami who think he does, here is how it happens, and maybe happens soon: — He starts by going to Tampa and meeting with George Steinbrenner …
Newsday:
Mets close to a deal with catcher Torrealba — Having lost out on Jorge Posada, the Mets are wasting no time in trying to close a deal with Yorvit Torrealba, and it looks like an agreement could be struck by the end of this week. — General manager Omar Minaya, spurned by Posada's decision …
RELATED:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Set to Make Torrealba an Offer He Can't Refuse — The last time the Mets needed a starting catcher, after the 2005 season, they went hard after the top two free agents, Ramón Hernández and Bengie Molina. General Manager Omar Minaya visited both players …
Discussion:
Fox Sports, MetsBlog.com, Associated Press, Mets Merized Online, Amazin' Avenue, FishStripes and Hot Foot
Mark Hale / New York Post:
CATCHER & THE BUY — TORREALBA EXPECTING OFFER FROM METS — The Mets appear set to submit a bid for free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba, as his agent told The Post yesterday he was anticipating a contract offer from the team. — "We have talked to them a few times today and I'm waiting …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Nothing new on Lowell … If they have not already, a handful of teams that include the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, most prominently, are expected to make free agent Mike Lowell an offer he can't refuse in the coming days. — The Red Sox [team stats] are still in Lowell's sights …
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Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Red Sox, A's Japan-bound in 2008 — Meeting marks fifth international MLB regular-season opener — NAPLES, Fla. — Major League Baseball is opening its regular season in Japan's 55,000-seat Tokyo Dome next March for the third time, it was announced on Wednesday, with the defending World Series-champion Red Sox facing the A's.
Sabernomics:
ESPN's Keith Law Interview — Sabernomics readers ought to be familiar with Keith Law, a former member of the Toronto Blue Jays front office who is now the lead baseball analyst for ESPN's Scouts Inc. Last year, I had the good fortune to meet Keith while scouting Josh Smoker in my neck of the woods.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:
Here are the names — Among the many paragraphs trimmed by editors from my Ryan Braun story in the JS this morning was the final paragraph of the notes about free-agent relievers the Brewers are interested in. — That was unfortunate because that paragraph named some of the relievers the Brewers might target.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Hunter to Dodgers just makes sense — LIKE THIS STORY? — The Dodgers are desperate for offense. They want to upgrade in center field. They need a veteran leader to mend their clubhouse. — Perhaps more than any club, they would benefit from the addition of Torii Hunter.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Will frugal Padres shell out bucks? — Team checking out free-agent market — Padres CEO Sandy Alderson isn't predicting his club will spend large sums on free agents - but he said the midrevenue franchise has significant dollars to spend. The Padres, unlike many clubs …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Tim Marchman / New York Sun:Jones Could Be Biggest Steal of Free Agent Market
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards willing to deal Rolen — The Cardinals no longer deny the increasingly obvious: Scott Rolen is in play. — General manager John Mozeliak confirmed Tuesday meeting with Rolen's agents and discussing the Gold Glove third baseman's availability for trade during last week's GM meetings in Orlando, Fla.
Michael Phillips / MLB.com:
Nationals exhibit stadium's progress — Team president Kasten takes mayor Fenty on tour of new park — WASHINGTON — Twelve months ago, Nationals Park existed as blueprints, computer models and a lot of dirt and concrete. — Today, it is a baseball stadium.
Discussion:
Nationals Journal
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Michael Salfino / SNY.tv:
Prospects hone skills in the desert — Mets have several solid prospects in the Arizona Fall League — Last year, over 75 players in the Arizona Fall League reached the majors and 12 were on opening day rosters. NL Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun became the AFL poster boy …
