Top News:
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.
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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. Jerry Crasnick confirms it, noting that the Rays and Giants expressed interest.
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, Twins Insider, Shea Nation, Global New York Mets Fan Blog, Mets Fever, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog, FanHouse, Hardball Times, Randball, My Pinstripes, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, Mets Merized Online, The Ropolitans, Chop-n-Change, It IS about the money, stupid, iYankees, MLB Trade Rumors 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.
Sports Illustrated:
Mets, Santana making progress — Sides about $20 million apart with deadline looming — The Mets and superstar pitcher Johan Santana are making progress on a multi-year contract that's likely to guarantee him about $150 million, according to people familiar with the talks.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.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.
Discussion:
The Heater, Brewers Blog, Lone Star Ball, The Ropolitans, iYankees, Yanksfan vs Soxfan, River Ave. Blues, YanksBlog.com and ShysterBall
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Phil Hughes / The Phil Hughes Weblog:
Number Change — I know I mentioned in the Q&A that I wasn't planning on changing my number. Well that has changed. A number change is in the works. Not sure exactly what it is going to be yet, but I thought I would throw it out there. — Also, I saw a few comments about me being an Alton Brown fan …
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Yankees Blog:
Hughes happy to stay — With Johan Santana headed to the Mets, Phil Hughes will remain with the Yankees. — “That's kind of been my goal the whole time, and to finally know that it's somewhat intact, it's a good feeling,” the 21-year-old right-hander said today at the Yankees' minor league complex.
Discussion:
iYankees
Sports Illustrated:
The deal on the deal (cont.) — If you can really fault the Twins, perhaps it was for failing to pounce on the Yankees' offer of top young pitcher Phil Hughes, center fielder Melky Cabrera, pitching prospect Jeffrey Marquez and a fourth undetermined prospect when it was briefly on the table …
Joel Sherman / New York Post:PHIL'S PITCHING FOR A JOB - CASHMAN'S
Discussion:
New York Times, The LoHud Yankees Blog, NJ.com, My Pinstripes, MLB Trade Rumors and WasWatching.com
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:Hank Steinbrenner praises Mets' move
Discussion:
It IS about the money, stupid
MLB.com:
Seattle Mariners sign outfielder Brad Wilkerson — Mariners sign versatile Wilkerson to one-year deal — SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations Bill Bavasi announced today that the Mariners have signed free agent outfielder Brad Wilkerson to a one-year contract.
Discussion:
seattlepi.com Mariners blog, Lookout Landing, Caffeinated Confines and Bleeding Blue and Teal
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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.
Associated Press:
Mariners sign versatile Wilkerson — Signing could be prelude to Jones-Bedard trade — SEATTLE (AP) — Brad Wilkerson and the Mariners agreed Thursday to a one-year, $3 million contract, a move that could signal Seattle is close to finally acquiring pitcher Erik Bedard from the Baltimore Orioles.
Discussion:
MLB Fleece Factor
Dave Campbell / Associated Press:
19 years after trade, Viola wonders about Santana deal for Twins — MINNEAPOLIS — As the Johan Santana trade story unfolded, Frank Viola couldn't help but see the parallels to his own departure from Minnesota 19 years ago. — Both were left-handed aces with Cy Young Awards on their resumes …
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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:
Blogging Baseball, Associated Press, MLB Trade Rumors, River Ave. Blues, Scott Proctor's Arm and Bronx Liaison
Larry Dobrow / CBS SportsLine.com:Thoughts in a bottle: The day after Santana changed baseball
Discussion:
MetsNetwork.com
