Top News:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Sources: Mets likely won't reach deal with Santana until Friday, if at all … It appears the Mets' negotiations with the agents for Johan Santana won't be over quickly. — Sources familiar with those discussions said Thursday that while the talks may not go right to Friday's 5 p.m. deadline …
Discussion:
The Ropolitans
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Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians' Sabathia could be gone for good — The next person to stop at Seven-Eleven should pick up chips and dip for C.C. Sabathia's goodbye party. They can hold it on the mound at newly named Progressive Field. — If the Mets complete their trade for Minnesota's Johan San tana …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Associated Press, River Ave. Blues, Scott Proctor's Arm and Bronx Liaison
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
PHIL'S PITCHING FOR A JOB - CASHMAN'S — BRIAN Cashman better be right. Phil Hughes better be special. Not good. Special. — Because if Hughes is just another pitcher, dependable but not dominant, then he might find himself spending his time in New York hearing who he is not - namely, that he is not Johan Santana.
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Hank Steinbrenner praises Mets' move — More than anyonein the Yankee hierarchy, Hank Steinbrenner wanted to trade for Johan Santana and once said publicly that the Bombers had made the best offer and that the Twins knew it. — But the Yankees ultimately decided not to pursue the Minnesota ace …
New York Post:
DON'T EXPECT JOHAN TALKS TO HIT SNAG — The Mets need Johan Santana. Desperately. But the Mets are not the only entity with something to lose if contract negotiations fail. So does Santana. — And because of that, most people in baseball expect the sides to finalize a deal …
Sabernomics:
Buying Santana — The New York Mets are in the process of acquiring Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana. The Mets will send the Twins four prospects (Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra, and Kevin Mulvey) if they can reach a long-term extension with Santana.
Larry Dobrow / CBS SportsLine.com:
Thoughts in a bottle: The day after Santana changed baseball — Finally, some consummation in the Johan Santana derby. My God, it's like finally being allowed to eat after staring at the cold-cuts spread for 11 hours. Ten thoughts: — 1. The Mets are the best team in the National League East.
Discussion:
MetsNetwork.com
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Buzz: Mets Remain Confident in Talks — According to multiple reports, including this site, the Mets remain confident that a contract will be worked out with Johan Santana before Friday's 5 pm deadline. — ...from what i can gather, Omar Minaya, Jeff Wilpon and John Ricco met …
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Bedard trade might clear major hurdle Thursday … The Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles may finally sort through a rules issue this afternoon, taking the next step forward to completing their long-discussed deal involving left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard.
RELATED:
Jim Street / MLB.com:Bedard deal remains undecided
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Rays of Light, MLB Rumors, MLB Fleece Factor, Camden Chat and MLB Trade Rumors
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Tribe, Julio agree to Minor League deal — Former closer invited to camp, will battle for bullpen spot — CLEVELAND — An Indians team that appeared to be heading into Spring Training with its bullpen all but set has a new and intriguing name to add to the mix.
Don McKee / philly.com:
Phils fall back in arms race — The Phillies' attempt to win back-to-back National League East titles for the first time since 1978 just got a lot nastier. — The New York Mets yesterday agreed to send four minor-leaguers to Minnesota for two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana.
Discussion:
crashburnalley.com
Russ McQueen / Baseball Analysts:
The Yellow Hammer — [Editor's note: Russ McQueen and my brother Tom were All-CIF pitchers on the Lakewood High School team that won the California Interscholastic Federation championship at Anaheim Stadium in 1970. Russ played on four consecutive NCAA championship teams at USC.
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Mets claim Lugo off waivers from A's — Reliever latest right-hander added to spring bullpen mix — NEW YORK — An already crowded bullpen just found its newest member. — The Mets on Wednesday claimed right-handed reliever Ruddy Lugo off waivers from the Athletics …
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Long-term deal for Hawpe still sought — Looking to extend their pattern of locking up young players, the Rockies have continued talking with the agent for outfielder Brad Hawpe regarding a long-term contract. — Hawpe is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time and stands …
Discussion:
Purple Row
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
MLB umpires angry over background checks — NEW YORK (AP) — Umpires are livid that Major League Baseball has sent investigators to their hometowns, asking neighbors a series of questions that include whether the ump belongs to the Ku Klux Klan. — “The questions that we found out are being asked …
Discussion:
FanHouse, Peter's Red Sox Forever, ShysterBall, The Biz of Baseball and Yanksfan vs Soxfan
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:Umpires' union: MLB background checks go too far
Discussion:
It IS about the money, stupid
Joe Posnanski:
Royals don't land Santana ... KANSAS CITY — Royals general manager Dayton Moore did not deny that the Royals finished a very close second in their efforts to acquire two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana on Tuesday. — “Come on,” Moore said. “You're just being stupid now." — OK, fine.
Discussion:
It IS about the money, stupid
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