Top News:
Mike Puma / New York Post:
CASHMAN: JOHAN'S NOT THE KEY — Brian Cashman won the popular vote last night in what he joked beforehand was the equivalent of a Hillary Clinton-Barack Obama debate. — The Yankee GM actually was a guest lecturer, joined onstage by his Red Sox counterpart Theo Epstein …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
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John Harper / NY Daily News:
Cash prefers Yankee youngsters over Johan — With Red Sox GM Theo Epstein sitting nearby on the same stage, Brian Cashman made it pretty clear that if it's up to him, the Yankees will not make the much-discussed deal for Johan Santana. — And if Epstein's reaction is any indication, neither will the Red Sox.
Associated Press:
Cashman, Epstein spending quality time together — WAYNE, N.J. (AP) — Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein share a friendship that belies the often acrimonious rivalry between their teams, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. — Don't worry, there's no chance that the high esteem …
Discussion:
Peter's Red Sox Forever, SOX & Dawgs, Boston Herald, WasWatching.com and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Time to act, Mets — Colleague Steve Popper offered the Mets sound advice in Wednesday's Record, urging them to hurry up and trade for Johan Santana. Whatever it takes, is the message Omar Minaya needs to hear, because unless Santana is wearing a Mets' uniform by opening day, they can forget about winning the East in 2008.
Pete Caldera / NorthJersey.com:
Yanks ready to pass on Santana — WAYNE — Seated on stage next to Boston's Theo Epstein, the general manager of his sworn rival, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was asked Friday night about the pursuit of Minnesota's Johan Santana. — Careful not to speak about another club's player …
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Sox in Brief: Extension for Jenks in works — White Sox general manager Ken Williams is among the first to admit mistakes were made last offseason — namely that he discounted the effect that pending free agency would have on players such as Jermaine Dye and Mark Buehrle.
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Minors make major strides for Texas Rangers — egrant@dallasnews.com — The Rangers' organization's talent level has made the biggest one-year jump in Baseball America's rankings since the trade publication started doing an annual list in 2001. — The Rangers, who ranked 28th …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Agitated Bedard feeling unwanted — 'They don't want to keep me,' ace says; O's dispute his version of extension talks — Ace pitcher Erik Bedard said today that he is resigned to being traded this season and is disappointed that the Orioles haven't made a greater effort to sign him to a contract extension.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Aaron / AaronGleeman.com:
Morneau, Cuddyer Sign Long-Term Extensions — The Johan Santana saga continues to drag on with no obvious end in sight, but the Twins made a pair of big moves Friday afternoon by signing Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer to long-term contract extensions. Morneau's deal overrides the one-year …
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Daniel MacDonald / canberra.yourguide.com.au:
Canberra teenager bound for the New York Yankees — The latest Canberra teenager bound for the big US baseball leagues is expected to sign a seven-year deal with the New York Yankees today. — Kyle Perkins, 16, joins the world's most renowned baseball club after being spotted …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yanks and Canó Agree on Deal — The Yankees and second baseman Robinson Canó reached a preliminary agreement Friday on a contract that could pay him about $55 million over six years. — The deal, contingent on Canó's passing a physical, will earn him $28 million for the 2008 through 2011 seasons.
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Bay disappointed by Pirates' lack of roster moves — GM responds that team ‘pursued many pieces,’ but found no fair value — Jason Bay happily signs autographs along with Neil Walker and Bob Friend at PirateFest at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center last night.
Aaron Sharockmann / St. Petersburg Times:
Rays say losses surpass $20M … ST. PETERSBURG - The Rays have lost between $20-million and $30-million since 2005, a team executive revealed Friday as he made the case for a new stadium downtown. — Rays president Matthew Silverman said during a televised luncheon with more than 100 community …
Discussion:
DRaysBay
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Team Offense, New York Mets — We continue to look at team offenses for 2008 with the New York Mets. … In 2007, the Mets scored 4.96 runs per game. — I plugged in a likely lineup to the Lineup Analysis Tool, using the Marcel the Monkey predictions from Tom Tango.
NY Daily News:
MLB's cheats are closer to being public — There was a big enough thunderclap when George Mitchell named 89 players in his report on performance-enhancing drug use in Major League Baseball. Now, government lawyers might potentially upstage the former senator, thanks to a dense …
