Top News:
Kat Oâ'Brien / Newsday:
Yankees, Cano negotiating long-term deal — The Yankees are in discussions to sign second baseman Robinson Cano to a long-term contract. (Newsday / Paul J. Bereswill) — The Yankees are working toward a deal that would lock up second baseman Robinson Cano for the next four years and perhaps beyond.
RELATED:
Sports Illustrated:
Yanks, Cano talk long-term deal — The Yankees and star second baseman Robinson Cano are in serious negotiations on a deal that could keep him in pinstripes for up to six years, SI.com has confirmed. — The contract being discussed would pay Cano a guaranteed $30 million over the next four years …
Mike Puma / New York Post:
CANO CASHING IN — AGREES TO 4-YEAR DEAL WITH YANKS — It's pay now or later for Robinson Cano. The Yankees evidently have no problem with the first option, as they reached agreement yesterday on a four-year, $30 million contract with Cano, according to a source.
Associated Press:
RHP Soriano, Braves agree to 2-year, $9M deal — ATLANTA (AP) - Relief pitcher Rafael Soriano and the Atlanta Braves agreed Thursday to a $9 million, two-year contract that avoided arbitration. — The Braves plan to make Soriano their closer this season.
RELATED:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:Three weeks until it begins anew
Discussion:
Washington Times
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Jays sign Barajas to one-year deal — Veteran will serve as Zaun's backup at catcher — TORONTO — The Blue Jays and Rod Barajas have apparently cleared the air. After an agreement fell apart between the two sides last offseason, leading to some harsh words, Toronto has signed Barajas …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
RELATED:
TSN.ca:
Blue Jays sign catcher Barajas — The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a one-year contract with catcher Rod Barajas worth $1.2 million with an option for 2009. — Barajas, 32, spent last season with the Philadelphia Phillies. — In 48 games, he posted a .230 average with four home runs and 10 RBI.
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
2007 payroll second lowest in the majors — The Marlins walk out of the dugout after they completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs during their last home baseball game at Dolphin Stadium in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky / September 27, 2007) — Injuries contributed …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Ben Badler / Baseball America Prospects Blog:
Fastball 101: Bringing The Heat — Pitchers with premium velocity have an advantage because their heat gives themselves a bit more margin for error. A quicker fastball has a better chance of missing bats, keeping the ball out of play and leading to more strikeouts.
Jose Martinez / NY Daily News:
Promoter sez Rickey stole more than bases — Rickey doesn't like it when Rickey gets sued. — All-time stolen bases king Rickey Henderson is being taken to court by a promoter of sports collectibles shows who says Henderson swiped more than bases. — MAB Celebrity Services has filed …
Discussion:
Mets Heads
Duff Wilson / New York Times:
Committee Reviewing McNamee Tapes — The House oversight committee is reviewing transcripts of three conversations by Brian McNamee, the personal trainer who said he injected Roger Clemens with performance-enhancing drugs, a congressional staff person with direct knowledge of the matter said Thursday.
Discussion:
River Ave. Blues
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Quiet winter for big spenders — The biggest surprise this offseason could be that the big spenders didn't spend. — After winning the World Series in 2004, the Red Sox revamped their rotation. They let Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe leave as free agents and brought in Matt Clement and David Wells, a pair of signings that went bad.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers send Shelton to Triple-A Oklahoma — rdurrett@dallasnews.com — Chris Shelton cleared waivers Thursday and was outrighted to Triple-A Oklahoma. — He was invited to major league spring training, meaning the 27-year-old will compete with Jason Botts for the backup first base …
Discussion:
Rangers
Jesse Sanchez / Jesse Sanchez at the Park:
Sorry Sammy? — I hear there are rumblings throughout Latin America regarding the mistreatment of one of the greatest home run hitters of all time. People are coming to his defense and others are angry the team that signed him last year - the same team that signed him when he was just a teenager - wants nothing to do with him.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
La Velle E. Neal III / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Between a rock and a hard place — The Twins don't want to bring Santana to spring training amidst all of this uncertainty but they also must try to maximize trade value. — Johan Santana will not be at TwinsFest this weekend, but one wonders if Santana will be in Fort Myers, Fla. …
USA Today:
The biggest winners and losers during the offseason — The Minnesota Twins will hold their annual banquet tonight, but instead of a celebration, it may be a memorial. — The team will honor more absentee players tonight than players on its current roster.
