Top News:
ESPN:
Source says information on Clemens will be in Mitchell's report — Clemens May Be Named in Mitchell Report — A former New York Yankee strength trainer says information he supplied to the George Mitchell investigation regarding supplying Roger Clemens with steroids is included …
RELATED:
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Baseball holds its breath for The List to be released — The reactions will range from shock to anger, to threats and counter-threats. Then again, maybe George Mitchell's 20-month steroids investigation will be stopped dead cold by a wall of cynicism. Already there are enough detractors …
Discussion:
Deadspin, MetsBlog.com, NY Daily News, Hot Foot, Hot Stove New York and Replacement Level …
ESPN:
Sources: Players, owners to share blame in Mitchell report … Major League Baseball and the Players Association share the blame for tolerating a widespread culture of drug abuse, George Mitchell's report on doping in baseball says, according to two lawyers who said they are familiar with the report.
Discussion:
New York Post, Boston Globe, Let's Go Tribe!, The Big Lead, EPIC CARNIVAL, The Good Phight, River Ave. Blues, The Hot Corner and Wrigleyville23
NY Daily News:
Source: Yankees' Clemens, Pettitte named in Mitchell steroid investigation — Among the names expected to appear in the Mitchell Report today are two of the most revered pitchers in Yankee history - Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte. — According to a source familiar with information provided to Mitchell …
New York Times:
Baseball Braces for Steroid Report From Mitchell — George J. Mitchell's report on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball, to be unveiled Thursday afternoon, will be highly critical of the commissioner's office and the players' union for tolerating the presence of drugs throughout years of abuse …
Discussion:
Washington Post, GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, Can't Stop The Bleeding and Mets Refugees
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Sox players aren't safe — Mitchell report to create firestorm … By the end of today, one or more Red Sox [team stats] players could have asterisks next to their names. — More than 60 baseball players, quite possibly including current or past Red Sox, will be named this afternoon …
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, MLB.com, New York Post, Boston Sports Media Watch, SOX & Dawgs, Fox Sports, Red Sox Monster and Boston Globe
Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Report: Clemens to be named in Mitchell report — Judgment day arrived for baseball's steroids era, with the Mitchell report set to be released and posted on the Internet for all to see. — The first name to emerge today was seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens.
MLB.com:
Search for Search Tips — Contact Us - Official Info - Advertising - Affiliates - Job Opportunities - MLB Tickets — The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs part ways with Prior — A Cubs career than began with a bang ended with a whimper Wednesday night for one-time ace Mark Prior. — Two hours before the 11 p.m. deadline to offer arbitration to eligible players, general manager Jim Hendry non-tendered Prior, allowing him to leave via free agency at age 27.
George King / New York Post:
MATSUI NO LONGER ON FRISCO'S RADAR — The only team to ask the Yankees about Hideki Matsui is no longer interested in importing the left fielder to San Francisco. And Andy Pettitte doesn't believe Johan Santana or Dan Haren must be imported to enable the Yankees to contend.
Discussion:
River Ave. Blues
RELATED:
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:New stadium could lure Andy Pettitte back for 2009 season
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Jays close to deal with shortstop Eckstein — LIKE THIS STORY? — The Blue Jays have been mostly quiet this off-season, waiting for the right player to become available at a reasonable price. — That player finally has emerged — free-agent shortstop David Eckstein.
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Williams adapting to tough offseason — Sox GM three-quarters of the way to achieving club's aims — CHICAGO — White Sox fans look at the offseason moves put forth by their beloved organization, coming on the heels of last year's disappointing 72-90 season, and the word frustration occupies much of the analysis.
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers acquire 1B Broussard from Mariners — egrant@dallasnews.com — The Rangers apparently solved their first base dilemma late Wednesday by acquiring the player they had coveted, Ben Broussard, from Seattle for minor league infielder Tug Hulett.
RELATED:
Geoff Baker / Mariners Blog:Ben Broussard traded to Texas
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner, Associated Press, Rays of Light, Lookout Landing, MLB Trade Rumors and Lone Star Ball
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Vizcaino close with Rockies, Pirates — LIKE THIS STORY? — Free-agent reliever Luis Vizcaino is close to signing with either the Pirates or Rockies, according to major-league sources. — Vizcaino, 33, is expected to receive a multi-year deal after rejecting a one-year contract through salary arbitration with the Yankees.
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats sign three, non-tender two — Cordero, Rauch and Redding among those arbitration eligible — WASHINGTON — The Nationals agreed to terms on 2008 contracts with right-handers Luis Ayala, John Patterson and Ryan Wagner on Wednesday, thus avoiding salary arbitration …
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Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins will look for new starting catcher — Olivo only Florida player to not be tendered a contract — MIAMI — As expected, the Marlins will be turning the page when it comes to finding their starting catcher. — On Wednesday night, the club bid farewell to Miguel Olivo …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Mark Shanahan / Boston Globe:
Epstein's wife gives birth to baby boy — It's better late than never for Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and wife Marie Whitney, who gave birth today to the couple's first child, a healthy baby boy named Jack. — Originally due Saturday, the baby, weighing 7 pounds, 14 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches …
ESPN.com:
Gold standard: A-Rod's $275 million deal finalized — NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez set another record for baseball's highest contract, finalizing his $275 million, 10-year agreement with the New York Yankees on Thursday. — A-Rod set the previous mark with his $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas in December 2000.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
Should Jose Reyes hit more ground balls? — As I was watching the Mets' last game of the season—the one they had to win but didn't, not even close—TV analysts Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling started swapping analyses of Jose Reyes' season-ending month-long slump.
