Top News:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Kielty added as hedge against CF trade — In a move that gives them insurance if (when?) they trade Coco Crisp, the Sox have come to terms on a one-year deal with outfielder Bobby Kielty. It's a nonguaranteed contract that will pay Kielty $800,000 if he makes the big-league roster, with an additional $300,000 in incentives.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Siberian Baseball, SOX & Dawgs, Mets Fever, El Guapo's Ghost Rambles … and MLB Fleece Factor
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Sports Illustrated:
Tom Verducci: 7 young pitchers who could be injury risks — So the Yankees have let Johan Santana pass to the Mets and smartly bet the future on Phil Hughes, 21, Joba Chamberlain, 21, and Ian Kennedy, 23. Throw in Chien Ming Wang, 27, and the Yankees have the bulk of their starts covered for years.
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Another take on innings limits — Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated has an interesting piece on line about innings limits and young pitchers. — He also identifies seven pitchers could could be headed for trouble because of abuse. No. 1 on his list is Ian Kennedy.
Associated Press:
Topps card shows Giuliani celebrating with BoSox — NEW YORK (AP) -Rudy Giuliani, a Boston Red Sox fan? — When Topps baseball cards hit the stores this week it'll appear that way. About one in every 70 packs will include a picture of the former New York City mayor, fist raised in victory …
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Richard Wilner / New York Post:
RUDY GETS YANKED BY TOPPS — The digital imaging wizards at Topps baseball cards are at it again - and this time failed presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani makes a cameo appearance on a collectable card. — Only he probably won't be too happy about it. — That's him in the middle …
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner, It IS about the money, stupid, SOX & Dawgs, Bugs & Cranks, WasWatching.com and Center Field
NY Daily News:
Roger Clemens repeats steroid, HGH denials after meeting with Congress — WASHINGTON - Roger Clemens emerged from a five-hour meeting with congressional investigators Tuesday and yet again denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs, as alleged in the Mitchell Report.
Discussion:
Pinstriped Scranton
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Duff Wilson / New York Times:
Clemens Answers Panel's Questions — WASHINGTON — Roger Clemens, one of baseball's most dominant pitchers, emerged from an almost five-hour deposition before Congress on Tuesday afternoon repeating his denials of ever using steroids or human-growth hormone and thanking Congressional investigators for the chance to say so under oath.
Associated Press:
State official: Jeter settles tax dispute — ALBANY, N.Y. — Derek Jeter settled his case with tax officials, who had said the Yankees captain should have paid three years of taxes as a New York State resident. — A state official confirmed the settlement, which was first reported in Tuesday's New York Daily News.
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Kobrien / On the Yankees beat:
Jeter working out in Tampa — Like I said before, don't read into Derek Jeter working out in Tampa that he is in better shape than Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui. Jeter lives in Tampa. That warning aside, here's a story by the AP with Jeter's comments: — TAMPA, Fla. - Yankees captain Derek Jeter …
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates' Sanchez “thrilled” after signing $18.9 million deal — The Pirates and second baseman Freddy Sanchez sounded equally satisfied by the contract extension they signed today, one that could cover three years and pay as much as $18.9 million. — “I'm thrilled,” Sanchez said at a PNC Park news conference this afternoon.
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
O's ace not in Seattle yet — His turn for physical should be coming soon — Orioles pitcher Erik Bedard remained at home in Ontario tonight, an indication his trade to the Seattle Mariners for five players remains a day or two away from completion. — Bedard will have to travel …
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers pull off minor trade with Rangers — Detroit adds depth to farm system with right-hander Galarraga — For the second time in just over two months, the Tigers have pulled off a minor trade with the Rangers to add depth to their farm system, acquiring right-handed pitcher Armando Galarraga …
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Rios signs one-year contract with Jays — Off best year, outfielder avoids arbitration with $4.8 million deal — TORONTO — A long-term contract will have to wait for now. On Tuesday, the Blue Jays were content with settling on a one-year pact with Alex Rios, who agreed to a $4.835 million salary for the 2008 season.
Discussion:
MLB Fleece Factor
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Yu Darvish Could Be Posted — According to Sankei Sports (link in Japanese), the Nippon Ham Fighters are willing to post starter Yu Darvish if he wants to play in the Majors. Darvish isn't a free agent until after the 2014 season. A possible posting fee in excess of Daisuke Matsuzaka's $51MM …
Barry Svrluga / Nationals Journal:
Nationals Park Tour — Since I have no idea what I'm doing, and I just consulted with DC SportsBog maven Steinberg from the Phoenix airport and he said he couldn't explain it over the phone, consider this a one-picture test run and I'll see if I can add to it.
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