Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN.com:
Santana resolution possibly could come today … Executives involved in the Johan Santana trade talks expect the Minnesota Twins to make their decision soon, perhaps as early as Tuesday, on what they intend to do with the left-handed superstar, after the team asked on Monday for last and best offers …
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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.
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.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
It's still a no-decision — But the Santana watch is getting into crunch time — With Red Sox pitchers and catchers due to report on Valentine's Day, the endgame appears at hand for Twins pitcher Johan Santana, who should know before the start of spring training what uniform he will be wearing in 2008.
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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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Inge preparing for utility role in 2008 — Former starter wants to be on field as much as possible — Count Brandon Inge among the 2008 Tigers — for now, anyway. — After Monday morning telephone conversations with Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland …
Discussion:
TigerBlog
Baltimore Sun:
Bedard trade talks reach standstill — Source says O's, Mariners agree to general framework for deal, but potential move being held up on Baltimore's end — Talks between the Seattle Mariners and Orioles about a trade involving ace pitcher Erik Bedard are at a standstill.
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Roch Kubatko / Roch Around the Clock:Latest twist — Orioles executive Andy MacPhail wasn't kidding …
Discussion:
Oriole Magic
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 …
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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.
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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Associated Press:
Chamberlain could start ‘08 in Yankees’ bullpen — TAMPA, Fla. — Joba Chamberlain could begin this season in the bullpen before moving to the New York Yankees' starting rotation. — Chamberlain, a sensational reliever as a big league rookie last season, is already throwing off a mound …
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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.
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Mailbag: What's at stake for Sanchez? — Beat reporter Jenifer Langosch answers Bucs fans' questions … All this talk about the arbitration deadline is really confusing me. What exactly does arbitration mean, and since Freddy Sanchez didn't reach an agreement with the club, what happens to him?
Discussion:
Purple Row
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Sox deal for pitcher! (No, not that one) — While the Johan Santana trade talks near some resolution — the Twins seem certain to make a decision one way or another before the start of spring training — the Sox made a deal for a relief pitcher, David Aardsma, who split last season between the White Sox and Triple-A.
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NY Daily News:
Bloomberg's empty promises are tradeoff for parkland lost to Yankees — Be our guest — Even before it seized a large swath of historic South Bronx parkland for a new Yankee Stadium, the Bloomberg administration had promised the community it would not only replace what it was taking away …
