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Buster Olney / ESPN:
Offers in hand, Twins to make Santana decision … In keeping with a request from pitcher Johan Santana, the Twins have fielded offers from all interested parties by a mid-day Tuesday deadline, and Minnesota is expected to make a decision soon on whether to keep the left-hander or trade him …
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Boston Globe, MetsBlog.com, The Ballclub, Hot Foot, Hot Stove New York, Yanksfan vs Soxfan, MiracleMets.net, NJ.com and iYankees
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Sports Illustrated:
Down to two — Yanks appear out while Mets lead BoSox for Santana — The long-running Johan Santana sweepstakes, which may be coming to a conclusion within days, appear now to be a two-team race between the Mets and Red Sox. While this derby has taken several twists and turns …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
METS, SOX BUTT HEADS OVER SANTANA — Teams involved in the Johan Santana sweepstakes confirm the Twins have intensified their efforts in the past 48 hours to generate the best offers from the main suitors - and indications are, this has come down to the Mets and the Red Sox for arguably the majors' best starter.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, MetsNetwork.com, Mets Fever, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog, Hot Foot, FakeTeams and Twins Insider
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Santana talks heating up for Mets — Source says Twins have asked for final offer to consider — NEW YORK — With so much at stake and so few viable alternatives available to them, the Mets apparently have reached a critical point in their protracted pursuit of a trade for Johan Santana.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Buzz: Santana Rejected Five-Year Twins Offer — According to WFAN's Mike Francesa, citing ‘the word,’ Johan Santana recently turned down a five-year, $100 million contract offer from the Twins, because he is still holding out for a seven-year, $140 million deal. — Francesa also added the following gem...
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
No movement on any Santana deal … The Red Sox [team stats], Yankees and Mets remain in a holding pattern as the Twins keep Johan Santana grounded on their Minnesota runway. — While the Twins are expected to make up their minds on a trading partner before spring training opens in less than three weeks …
NY Daily News:
Bedard rumors impact Johan — The Mets might be the only team that remains actively engaged with the Twins on a possible Johan Santana trade but the potential deal may have gotten more complicated yesterday with the news that another major domino in the winter pitching picture is about to fall.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals to sign catcher Estrada — Switch-hitting veteran gives Washington options on offense — WASHINGTON — Looking to bolster their offense even more, the Nationals agreed to terms on a $1.25 million contract with catcher Johnny Estrada, pending a physical, according to a baseball source.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Miller out to make early impression — JUPITER — New Marlins pitcher Andrew Miller, playing catch along with 30 teammates at an informal workout Monday, was easy to spot: He was the guy wearing the long-sleeved Detroit Tigers shirt. — “It was a little chilly this morning,” said Miller …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Roch Kubatko / Roch Around the Clock:
Spinning wheels — Good morning. — I assume that it's going to be a slow news day at the warehouse. Though as team president Andy MacPhail often says, everything can change with one phone call. — There's plenty of talk that owner Peter Angelos vetoed the Erik Bedard trade to the Mariners …
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Associated Press:
Hall of Fame exhibition game ending after 2008 — COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — The Baseball Hall of Fame Game, an annual tradition in Cooperstown, N.Y., for more than six decades, will end after this year's contest between the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres. — Hall of Fame officials …
Sabernomics:
What Do the Statistics Say about Roger Clemens's Steroid Use? — In an interesting move, Roger Clemens has fired back at Brian McNamee's steroid allegations in the Mitchell Report. Using a report of his own, his representatives examine his late-career performance as a pitcher.
Discussion:
Unfiltered
Randall Lompe / Dugout Central:
The Designated Hitter: Curse or Menace? — The Designated Hitter: The greatest abomination to befall major league baseball since the Black Sox of 1919. — The designated hitter rule was initiated in the American League in 1973 for a three-year trial run.
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers post intrigues Ryan — Ex-pitcher says there's ‘some attraction’ to being team president — rdurrett@dallasnews.com — Nolan Ryan spoke with media members in Houston on Monday and said there would be “some attraction” to becoming Rangers president.
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Phillies close to signing free agent Feliz — Two-year deal would give club new everyday third baseman — PHILADELPHIA — The pursuit of Pedro Feliz has intensified, and the Phillies are close to signing the free-agent third baseman to a two-year deal. — An agreement is believed …
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
CANO RESIGNS WITH YANKS — The terms on Robinson Cano's Yankee contract were finalized in full early tonight, and all that needs to be completed for the deal to be official is a physical that will take place either tomorrow or the next day, The Post has learned.
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