Top News:
George King / New York Post:
JOHAN SWEEPSTAKES BEGINS — Rich teams getting richer makes Bud Selig grimace. Nevertheless, after watching the Yankees and Alex Rodriguez agree on the largest contract in baseball history that could swell past the $300 million mark, the commissioner is bracing for another team …
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Buzz: What Will it Take for Santana — ...it appears that it will be, more or less, non-stop Johan Santana talk from now through the end of next week - and understandably so... ...first off, several people i have e-mailed asking about santana's no-trade protection...from what i understand …
USA Today:
Whirlwind courtship ends with Hunter in Angels' OF — Center fielder Torii Hunter heard the words, and suddenly couldn't breathe, his heart pounding against his chest. — "Are you sure?" — It was a simple question posed by his agent, Larry Reynolds, and now it was time to finalize …
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Sid Hartman / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Hunter sought out role on a contender — The star center fielder's decision to leave was driven by the realization that the Twins won't be competitive in the AL Central in the near future, he said. — Torii Hunter said he wouldn't have returned to the Twins even if the money …
TwinCities.com:
CHARLEY WALTERS: Minnesota Twins' Francisco Liriano's status pivotal — SUNDAY SUPER SHOOTER WITH CHARLEY WALTERS — The Twins say the status of Francisco Liriano won't have any affect on the status of Johan Santana. Nevertheless, it would seem Liriano's recovery from reconstructive …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
John Sickels / Minor League Ball:
2008 New York Mets Prospects — New York Mets Top 20 Prospects for 2008 — All grades are EXTREMELY PRELIMINARY and subject to change. — Fernando Martinez, OF, Grade B+ — Deolis Guerra, RHP, Grade B+ — Carlos Gomez, OF, Grade B (undecided, may raise to B+.
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John Sickels / Minor League Ball:
Carlos Gomez, OF, New York Mets — Bats: R Throws: R HT: 6-2 WT: 170 DOB: December 4, 1985 — (stats will be in the book) — I don't like the way the Mets have handled their prospects lately. Carlos Gomez was badly, BADLY rushed, and they have pushed Fernando Martinez …
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Kielty waiting to make next move … Bobby Kielty is on quite a roll. — Since hitting the homer that proved to be the game-winning run in the Sox' World Series clincher, life has been a whirlwind for the outfielder. — There was the team's celebratory parade, autograph signings in Boston …
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Hot Stove: Prices for Bay, Wilson might be 'outrageous' — The Pirates are not shopping Jason Bay or Jack Wilson. — That was the insistence of general manager Neal Huntington earlier this week in his PNC Park office. — "No, none of our players is being actively shopped," he said.
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Pirate Blues / Bucco Blog:
Looking back at the farm & rumors — It's time to take a look around the Pirates farm system as we work towards announcing Bucco Blog's 2008 top ten prospects. — A few pitching performances that stand out in the system last year: … Dewon Brazelton and Shane Youman dominated the starters …
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins may find Angels may be best fit in any deal for Miguel Cabrera — If the Marlins don't budge from their four-player demand for Miguel Cabrera, here's one potential return from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: second baseman Howie Kendrick, catcher Jeff Mathis …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Chris Mottram / Mr. Irrelevant:
N.C. State Penalized 15 Yards for'Giving Him the Business' — N.C. State Penalized 15 Yards for — 'Giving Him the Business' — By Chris Mottram | Thanks to commenter Elisabeth for providing video of the hilarious penalty call from today's Maryland game:
Steve Serby / New York Post:
SERBY'S SUNDAY Q&A WITH... HANK STEINBRENNER — The Post's Steve Serby chatted with the new Yankees boss about his expectations for 2008 and beyond, his life as George Steinbrenner's oldest son, and his memories of a lifetime in and around the world's most famous ballclub.
Fox Sports:
Top 10 under-the-radar free agents — LIKE THIS STORY? — The 2007-08 class of free agents was already a relatively weak one, and now that the ranks are dwindling by the day, it's even less impressive. — With that in mind, let's overlook for the moment the remaining marquee names …
