Top News:
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
RELATED:
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
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.
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.
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.
RELATED:
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 …
RELATED:
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:MLB Investigation Asks if Umpire is Member of KKK
Discussion:
FanHouse
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:Umpires' union: MLB background checks go too far
Discussion:
It IS about the money, stupid
Baltimore Sun:
MacPhail: Angelos didn't veto Bedard deal — O's president says owner not obstacle to proposed trade with Seattle — Orioles owner Peter Angelos didn't veto a proposed trade that would have sent ace pitcher Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners for a package headed by young outfielder Adam Jones …
RELATED:
Jim Street / MLB.com:Bedard deal remains undecided
Discussion:
Rays of Light, MLB Rumors, MLB Fleece Factor, Mariners Blog, Camden Chat and 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 …
Discussion:
Purple Row
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates eyeing Bako to compete at catcher — Another free-agent pursuit, Estrada, chooses Nationals — The Pirates lost out on Johnny Estrada yesterday, but another free-agent catcher should be added soon. — The team is negotiating with Paul Bako, who spent all of last season with Baltimore …
Charles V. Bagli / New York Times:
Office Tower to Rise in Harlem for Baseball TV Network — Major League Baseball plans to build a home on 125th Street, Harlem's premier boulevard, for its cable network, which is scheduled to make its debut early next year with some 50 million subscribers, real estate and baseball executives said on Wednesday.
Discussion:
ShysterBall
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.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Notable Mets trades — Since their inception in 1962, the Mets have made numerous trades, dealing the likes of Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver, while acquiring legends like Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter and Mike Piazza. — April 5, 1972: Acquired Rusty Staub from the Expos for Ken Singleton, Tim Foli and Mike Jorgensen.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Baseball America ranks the prospects — The Baseball America Prospect Handbook came in the mail today. Here is their top 30 for the Yankees: — 1. Joba Chamberlain, RHP — 2. Austin Jackson, OF — 3. Jose Tabata, OF — 4. Ian Kennedy, RHP — 5. Alan Horne, RHP — 6. Jesus Montero, C
