Top News:
TwinCities.com:
dungy's return thrills utecht — No one was more excited about the news that Tony Dungy will return to coach the Indianapolis Colts than fellow former Gopher Ben Utecht, a tight end for the Colts. — “Really excited; Tony has been such a mentor to me, not only as a coach but also as a man …
RELATED:
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Deals for Santana in a holding pattern — The Mets and Yankees apparently haven't gotten much closer to acquiring Minnesota Twins pitcher Johan Santana in the last few days. (AP File Photo) — With spring training less than a month away and the Minnesota Twins still holding the rights …
Associated Press:
Mets agree to 2-year deal with super sub Chavez — NEW YORK — Outfielder Endy Chavez and the New York Mets agreed Tuesday to a $3.85 million, two-year contract. — Chavez, who made $1,725,000 last year, gets $1.8 million this season and $2.05 million in 2009.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Fleece Factor, Mets Merized Online, The Ropolitans and Mets Refugees
philly.com:
Bill Conlin: Get the pitch up — It would be unwise for Phillies to take Howard to arbitration — FOR 2 YEARS NOW, the Rynomiter has blown them all away. — A-Rod . . . Big Papi . . . Pujols . . . Teixeira . . . Cabrera . . . Chipper . . . Bad Vlad . . . Mags . . .
RELATED:
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Howard's contract situation — Beat reporter Ken Mandel answers Phillies fans' questions — Will Ryan Howard return in 2008? He's headed for arbitration and I'm worried he might not return. — Breathe, Nick. Barring a trade, Howard will man first base in Philadelphia for at least the next four seasons.
Discussion:
Philliesflow.com
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pujols takes a swing at false report — Albert Pujols said the nagging injuries to his body have abated. He is less certain how he will recover from what he sees as damage to his reputation. — The Cardinals first baseman and a Most Valuable Player award winner was calm …
RELATED:
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Buzz: Odalis Perez to Meet the Mets — According to Impacto Deportivo, free-agent LHP Odalis Perez will meet with executives from the Mets, who had been scouting him this winter in the Dominican Republic. — In 26 starts for the Royals last season, Perez was 8-11 with a 5.57 ERA through 137 innings …
Steven Goldman / Yes Network:
The great ongoing Joba debate — Rating Joba Chamberlain's value as a starter and a reliever — Chamberlain's future, for now, is as a starter. — JOBA, AGAIN — When we left off last week, a reader had asked the Joba Question and I had my head in a sling to keep it from divorcing my neck.
Benjamin Sarlin / New York Sun:
Clemente's No. 21 May Be Retired From Play — Hispanic baseball pioneer Roberto Clemente's uniform number 21 will be retired from use by all 30 teams in Major League Baseball if the New York City Council has its way. — The council will debate a resolution today calling on the commissioner of baseball …
Discussion:
ShysterBall
metronews.ca:
Hinske moved to tears by Pack — Ever seen a grown man cry because his favourite team lost a playoff game and his favourite player was the goat? And ever see a grown man's tears turn into icicles? — Well, sources swear all of the above happened Sunday evening to Eric Hinske …
Matt Eddy / Baseball America Prospects Blog:
Sources Of Talent — The Prospect Handbook is here. We excitedly thumbed through our copies Friday when they arrived in Durham. To get your own, visit the BA store or give us a call at 800-845-2726. — The sources of talent charts for each organization return in 2008 after a two-year absence.
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Team Offenses, Detroit Tigers — We continue to look at team offenses for 2008 with the Detroit Tigers. — In 2007, the Tigers scored 5.48 runs per game. — I plugged in a likely lineup to the Lineup Analysis Tool, using the Marcel the Monkey predictions from Tom Tango. The lineups rate as follows:
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Holliday speaks out on contract — The lack of vanity is striking. — Walk into Matt Holliday's home and the National League Championship Series MVP trophy does not greet visitors. There are no self-important murals. Not even an autographed jersey or encased bat.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Less competition for Bedard now? — The Mariners won't go on the record to say they are still pursuing Baltimore lefty Erik Bedard. — However, the undercurrents around baseball suggest that Seattle very much wants Bedard, and now it turns out that, other than the Orioles …
RELATED:
