Top News:
Geoff Baker / Mariners Blog:
Bedard-Jones deal going down — UPDATE (4:47 p.m.): I just spoke to Mariners spokesman Tim Hevly, who confirmed Jones has been called back to the U.S. Hevly said he could not comment further, which more or less tells us Jones is about to be dealt because major league clubs do not stiff winter league teams …
RELATED:
Sports Illustrated:
Leaving the nest? — Mariners, Orioles still discussing Bedard blockbuster — The Mariners and Orioles are in serious discussions on a blockbuster deal that would send left-hander Erik Bedard to Seattle for a package of young players, including top outfield prospect Adam Jones.
Discussion:
ESPN.com, Oriole Post, Peter's Red Sox Forever, iYankees, MLB Trade Rumors and MetsBlog.com
Roch Kubatko / Roch Around the Clock:
Bedard/Jones — For a slow-moving off-season in Baltimore, there never seems to be a dull moment. Now we have the Adam Jones drama unfolding before our eyes, and it's been quite a ride over the last 13 hours or so. — At this point in the morning, there isn't much to add …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
O's deny Bedard deal in place — Mariners' Jones reportedly told trade has been made — Andy MacPhail denied tonight that the Orioles have agreed to a deal that would send ace pitcher Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners for a package headed by young center fielder Adam Jones.
La Velle / Twins Insider:
Big week ahead.. — After speaking with officials over the weekend at TwinsFest, it looks like the Twins want to get a Johan Santana trade done this week or begin preparing for his arrival at spring training. — We really won't know if the Twins waited too long to trade Santana until a deal is made.
RELATED:
La Velle E. Neal III / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Twins may soon ask, ‘Is this the final offer?’ — Indications from Twins officials are that this is a critical week in the Johan Santana sweepstakes. — The club has not set any hard deadlines yet but may soon tell the teams most interested in Santana — the Mets, Yankees and Red Sox …
Discussion:
New York Post, MetsBlog.com, Bronx Liaison, Philliesflow.com, SOX & Dawgs, My Pinstripes, FakeTeams, River Ave. Blues, iYankees and MLB Trade Rumors
Sid Hartman / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Twins' contract offer to Santana still stands — The team remains willing to pay its ace pitcher $20 million per year over four seasons, but he also could be traded at any moment. — Rob Antony, the Twins assistant general manager who negotiated the new multiyear contracts …
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:Mets could get Santana within 10 days
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Ken Davidoff's baseball …, Babes Love Baseball, Mets Fever and SOX & Dawgs
La Velle E. Neal III / Minneapolis Star Tribune:Cuddyer's preference is to stay in right field
Discussion:
MLB.com, AaronGleeman.com, Nick & Nick's Twins Blog, Associated Press, MLB Trade Rumors and TwinCities.com
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Clemens' Agent Releases Report — NEW YORK (AP) — Roger Clemens' agent released an 18,000-word statistical report Monday to refute allegations that the pitcher's career rebounded around the time period he was accused of using performance-enhancing drugs. — “Clemens' longevity was due …
Discussion:
Baseball Digest Daily, The LoHud Yankees Blog, MY BASEBALL BIAS, Yanksfan vs Soxfan and ShysterBall
RELATED:
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Clemens Report — The Hendricks Brothers, agents for Roger Clemens, released a statistical report showing that Roger's longevity was due to adjustments, not steroids. Unfortunately, the AP does not link to the report. Has anyone seen it? — Update: The Boston Globe provides the link.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Lo Duca Scheduled for Knee Surgery, but Will Meet With Nats' Doctor — Washington Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca is scheduled to have surgery this morning to repair a minor meniscus tear in his left knee, according to his agent, though the club said it wants its doctor to see Lo Duca before making a final decision.
RELATED:
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
DAVID CONE TO RETURN TO YANKEES IN YES BOOTH — David Cone has made peace with the Yankees and will return this year to broadcast about 50 games on YES, The Post has learned. — A key pitcher and leader on Joe Torre's championship Yankees, Cone had annoyed George Steinbrenner by returning …
Tim Marchman / New York Sun:
Three Offseason Questions for the Mets — A great team cannot be, of all things, aimless, but that is what the Mets have been this winter. While their purportedly hot pursuit of Minnesota Twins pitcher Johan Santana has garnered all the attention, the Mets have done little or nothing …
Alan Matthews / Baseball America:
Los Angeles Angeles Top 10 Prospects — Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Glavine puts Mets finale in perspective — Lefty disappointed, not devastated about last game in New York — The Mets had hemorrhaged; Shea Stadium was an exposed nerve. A grotesque inning had begotten a dreadful defeat that completed an epic collapse.
