Top News:
Newsday:
Mets, Yorvit talks break down — The Mets' negotiations with Yorvit Torrealba collapsed on Saturday and the free-agent catcher will not be headed to Shea for next season after all. — The two sides already had agreed on a three-year contract worth $14.4-million and it appeared …
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets end talks with catcher Torrealba — Club official says deal was never a given, despite agreement — NEW YORK — The Mets' search for a starting catcher, seemingly complete as late as Thursday night, has been renewed because the club no longer is moving toward signing free-agent backstop Yorvit Torrealba as it had planned.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Report: Mets targeting Eckstein — Career shortstop would convert to second base in New York — NEW YORK — Thinking — and acting — outside the box, as general manager Omar Minaya says he likes to do, the Mets are pursuing a career shortstop to play second base and provide some of the fire the team lacked last season.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Torrealba back in play — Free agent Yorvit Torrealba is back in play, an industry source said today. The Rockies conceded Thursday their catcher was gone when he agreed in principle on a three-year, $14.4 million deal with the New York Mets. — However, there has been a hangup this weekend …
ESPN:
Mets cease talks with free-agent catcher Torrealba — The New York Mets, who have been trying to fill their big hole at catcher, Saturday said they have ended negotiations with free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba. — Mets spokesman Jay Horowitz confirmed to Andrew Marchand of ESPN Radio 1050 …
Discussion:
Watchdog
New York Post:
MARIANO RIVERA EXPECTED TO TAKE THE YANKEES' 3-YEAR OFFER — Despite not getting the fourth year he desired, closer Mariano Rivera is expected to accept the Yankees' three-year, $45 million offer early next week. — After returning from the Dominican Republic tonight …
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NY Daily News:
Joe Girardi's visit with Mariano Rivera good sign for Yankees — There could be a thaw in the contract negotiations between the Yankees and Mariano Rivera. — Sources familiar with both the club's and the closer's thinking said Friday there were increasing signs that Rivera will accept …
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Talk, talk, talk — The clock seems to be ticking on the Mike Lowell negotiations with a possible resolution getting closer. Theo Epstein and the Levinson Brothers, Lowell's agents, continued their negotiations Saturday, but as of early evening there had been no conclusion.
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs
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Larry Dobrow / CBS SportsLine.com:
A-Rod's new deal all about the little things — Oh, man, they showed him. They showed him but good. — When his new 10-year contract is officially announced in the next few days, Alex Rodriguez will return, gilded hat in hand, to the Yankees of New York. He will have swallowed his pride and deflated his ego.
Keith Law / ESPN:
Plenty of talent available for a reasonable price … One common theme voiced by front-office executives at the GM meetings in Orlando was that the barren free-agent market would generate more trade activity. With that in mind, here are 10 players — currently out of favor or simply out of room …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Rumors of Drug Use Have Damaged for Decades — Barry Bonds may go to jail if a jury believes he lied about using steroids. Many other players could face suspensions next season if George Mitchell identifies them in his coming investigative report on steroids in baseball.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Eduardo A. Encina / St. Petersburg Times:
Maddon rips Young snubs — ST. PETERSBURG - Joe Maddon spent the late part of the season campaigning for Rays RF Delmon Young to receive consideration for Rookie of the Year. — Young held up his end in the "Vote Delmon" campaign, leading AL rookies in RBIs, hits, total bases and outfield assists …
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets eye David Eckstein — Mets officials dined with free-agent infielder David Eckstein in Greenwich, Conn., this week in the hopes he'll fill the second base vacancy in Flushing. — By employing the same kind of treatment that wooed Billy Wagner and Tom Glavine during previous offseasons …
Discussion:
The MLB Source, MLB Trade Rumors, Hot Foot, Can't Stop The Bleeding, MetsBlog.com, Amazin' Avenue and FIRE JOE MORGAN
