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:
Twins Insider, MetsBlog.com, Global New York Mets Fan Blog, FanHouse, Shea Nation, Mets Fever, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog, Randball, Hardball Times, My Pinstripes, The Ropolitans, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, Chop-n-Change, Mets Merized Online, Hot Stove New York, iYankees, It IS about the money, stupid, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Fleece Factor
RELATED:
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
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 …
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.
RELATED:
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.
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, Yanksfan vs Soxfan, The Ropolitans, Lone Star Ball, YanksBlog.com and River Ave. Blues
RELATED:
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
RELATED:
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 — 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
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
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.
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
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 …
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 …
