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:
MetsBlog.com, Global New York Mets Fan Blog, FanHouse, Mets Fever, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog, Shea Nation, My Pinstripes, Randball, MLB Trade Rumors, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, Hardball Times, Chop-n-Change, Hot Stove New York, The Ropolitans, Mets Merized Online, iYankees, It IS about the money, stupid and MLB Fleece Factor
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USA Today:
Santana trade opens market for free agent pitchers — The Red Sox and Yankees are used to always getting their man, but with the New York Mets expecting to sign Johan Santana to a contract extension Friday that will finalize their trade with Minnesota, it has left Boston and New York in radically different moods.
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
TwinCities.com:
CHARLEY WALTERS: New York Mets to give pitcher Johan Santana six-yeal deal worth more than $150 million. — The money was flowing Wednesday during negotiations for a contract extension between pitcher Johan Santana and the New York Mets. With details still to be worked out …
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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, New York Times, The LoHud Yankees Blog, NJ.com, My Pinstripes, WasWatching.com and It's Mets For Me
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 …
Discussion:
It IS about the money, stupid
Larry Dobrow / CBS SportsLine.com:Thoughts in a bottle: The day after Santana changed baseball
Discussion:
MetsNetwork.com
Keith Law / ESPN:
Top 100 prospects of 2008 … I now present to you the ESPN Scouts Inc. Top 100 Prospects Ranking for 2008. To prepare this list, I've re-read my scouting reports, watched some old draft videos and most importantly, I've ignored team officials who lobbied for their players.
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Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Top 100 Prospects — The Best of the Best
Discussion:
El Lefty Malo, My Pinstripes, DRaysBay, Bird Land, South Side Sox, SFGate and Phuture Phillies
ESPN:
Chat with Keith Law — Welcome to The Show! On Thursday, Scouts, Inc. senior baseball analyst, Keith Law, will stop by to talk some baseball. — Keith was formerly the special assistant to the general manager with the Toronto Blue Jays and has a wealth of knowledge for you to tap into.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Trade Rumors:
Morgan Ensberg Signs With Yankees — According to a source, the Yankees have signed Morgan Ensberg. They'll use him at first base (and maybe off the bench). Not sure if it's a minor or Major League deal. — Ensberg, 32, hit .231/.320/.404 for the Astros and Padres in '07.
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Ensberg agrees to deal, joins candidates for Yankees' first base job … Free-agent infielder Morgan Ensberg has reached agreement on a one-year, contract with the New York Yankees, and will join the competition for the team's first base job in spring training. — “I'm extremely excited about it,” Ensberg said Thursday.
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.
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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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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 …
Associated Press:
Leyritz ordered to take daily breath alcohol tests — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Former World Series star Jim Leyritz was ordered Thursday to take daily breath tests while he awaits trial on DUI manslaughter charges. — Judge Marc Gold said Leyritz must stay away from drugs and alcohol …
