Top News:
Sports Illustrated:
Heyman: A-Rod discussing deal with Yankees — Record contract approaching $300 million discussed — In a surprise twist, Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees are discussing a deal that seems likely to put the superstar third baseman back in pinstripes.
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Dan Graziano / NJ.com:
Yankees still interested in Lowell — The Yankees still remain interested in signing free-agent Mike Lowell, even though they're apparently bringing back Alex Rodriguez to play third base. — The trick is that they'd have to talk Lowell, a career third baseman, into moving across the diamond to play first base.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
A-Rod slips leash and returns to Yanks — In what was a bad day for the Scott Boras Corporation, Alex Rodriguez went to the Yankees directly and apparently has all but finalized a 10-year, $275 million deal. — It took 32 years and nationwide scorn but it seems A-Rod is finally his own man.
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Hank Steinbrenner's stance caught A-Rod, Boras off guard — As it turns out, the one development that Alex Rodriguez didn't see coming, the one that caused him to finally stand up to Scott Boras and go looking to make things right with the Yankees, was the emergence of Hank Steinbrenner as the new Boss.
Discussion:
New York Post
MLB.com:
Yanks, A-Rod close to multi-year deal — New contract would pay slugger as much as $290 million — NAPLES, Fla. — The New York Yankees are getting close to re-signing third baseman Alex Rodriguez to a multi-year contract that would pay him as much as $290 million, multiple baseball sources told MLB.com …
Ed Price / New Jersey Online:
A-Rod could return to the Yankees — Alex Rodriguez may be headed back to the Yankees. — The third baseman said on his Web site this afternoon that he reached out to the Yankees through mutual friends to discuss remaining with the team. — "After spending time with Cynthia (Rodriguez) …
New York Times:Rodriguez Talks to Yankees Without Agent
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Baseball Musings, NY Daily News, New York Post, FanHouse, The MLB Source, Deadspin, The GYS Network and ESPN.com
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:Excluding Boras would violate agreement
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Blogging the Bombers, FanHouse, River Ave. Blues, The Joy of Sox, Hot Foot, Baseball Musings and My Pinstripes
NY Daily News:Yankees look to bring A-Rod back - on their terms
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New York Post, Washington Post, Fox Sports, Bucs Dugout, I Want to be a Sports Agent, Pinstripe Alley, Bats, Lady At The Bat, MY BASEBALL BIAS, The LoHud Yankees Blog, YanksBlog.com, Hot Stove New York, FanHouse, MetsBlog.com, Baseball Musings, The Bronx Block, MLB Trade Rumors and WasWatching.com
Denver Post:
Torrealba close to deal with Mets — Catcher Yorvit Torrealba, a lynchpin in the Rockies' drive to the World Series, is zeroing in on a three-year offer from the New York Mets worth as much as $15 million. — Torrealba's agent, Melvin Roman, said tonight that he expects Torrealba to make his decision by Thursday.
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Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Torrealba looking for 3-year deal — The agent for catcher Yorvit Torrealba is trying to leverage multi-team interest in his client into a three-year contract. — The Rockies are interested in re-signing Torrealba, but their proposal was two years for $7 million.
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets eye Yorvit Torrealba as Ramon Castro stays — Ramon Castro wrapped up a two-year deal yesterday to remain a Met, and looks forward to pairing with Yorvit Torrealba behind the plate, provided the organization completes an agreement for that free-agent catcher today.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Say They'll Pay to Acquire Top Pitcher — Omar Minaya left the general managers' meetings last week with a pretty good understanding of how to improve the Mets. He has an idea of how much money it will take to sign his desired free-agent targets. And he knows which prospects …
Discussion:
ShysterBall
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Task ahead nothing new for Wiley — Former Marlins pitching coach once again has young pitchers — MIAMI — Dealing with a young Florida pitching staff is nothing new for Mark Wiley. What will be different now in his second stint as a Marlins coach is a number of the names have changed from a few years ago.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Wedge named AL's top manager — Fifth-year skipper rewarded following Indians' postseason run — CLEVELAND — The American League Manager of the Year Award, in principle alone, is not an honor that suits Eric Wedge. — After all, Wedge is the guy who refuses to even walk into fair territory …
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Tim Tucker / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves appear to be flush with cash — Team CEO says they will spend 'many millions more' on player payroll — The Braves appear to have plenty of money to spend this shopping season. — Team owner Liberty Media revealed in a financial report filed this week that the Braves had robust revenue and cash flow last season.
Discussion:
ShysterBall
Lisa Winston / MLB.com:
Fuld wins Stenson Award — Cubs prospect overcame juvenile diabetes on way to Majors — It was just a brief encounter, a preteen boy meeting a Major League veteran. But it was a moment that Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Sam Fuld has never forgotten. — Fuld, just 12 at the time …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
'Take Me Out' turns 100 — MLB to commence 2008 season with celebration of song — "Baseball Today — Polo Grounds." — Jack Norworth, a songwriter and Vaudeville performer, saw that sign while riding a New York subway in 1908. Although not a baseball fan himself at the time …
Discussion:
Catfish Stew
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Glavine closer to returning to Braves — LIKE THIS STORY? — Tom Glavine's return to the Braves is getting closer. — Glavine's agent, Gregg Clifton, met Wednesday with Braves general manager Frank Wren over lunch in Phoenix, and Wren reiterated his desire for Glavine to rejoin the team.
