Top News:
Boston Globe:
Sox re-sign Kielty to one-year deal — BOBBY KIELTY Memorable homer in Series — While new backup first baseman Sean Casey was being introduced at Fenway Park yesterday, the Red Sox were busy making a signing that could be a harbinger of another move. For their outfield …
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Kielty returns to champs — Sox add OF insurance; Casey deal complete … With a bullpen job or two still to be sorted out in spring training, the rest of the Red Sox [team stats]' roster was essentially filled yesterday. — Although the outfielder is not on the roster yet …
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Miller ready to create own moments — New Marlins left-hander experienced '03 magic as a fan — MIAMI — When the Marlins were celebrating one of their greatest accomplishments, Andrew Miller experienced a small part of it. — Then 18, Miller obtained a ticket for Game 5 of the 2003 World Series.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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:
Siberian Baseball, El Guapo's Ghost Rambles …, SOX & Dawgs, MLB Fleece Factor, Mets Fever and MLB Trade Rumors
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Castillo deal showed Santana way to Shea — To Johan Santana, the trade of Luis Castillo from the Twins to the Mets last summer seemed to be an indication that his team was not likely to make the financial commitment it would take to keep him in Minnesota. — Santana publicly expressed …
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Brian Lewis / New York Post:
GLOVE CONNECTION — CASTILLO TRADE HELPED LAND JOHAN — Luis Castillo still remembers every detail of the day he was traded to the Mets, still has last June 30 etched in his memory. So should the Amazin's and their fans, because that's the day the seeds were sown for their acquisition of Johan Santana …
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Santana, Clemens hottest topics at Munson Dinner — The Mets will introduce Johan Santana at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. (St. Paul Pioneer Press photo) — David Wright and Melky Cabrera had particularly good reasons to be excited about the Mets' trade for Johan Santana …
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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
David Wright: Phillies the team to beat — JImmy Rollins correctly predicted last year that the Phillies were the team to beat in the National League East. With pitchers and catchers set to report next week, David Wright believes that to be the case this year, too.
Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Lopez seeks a second act — Catcher clings to notion he can start again in the majors — When the Braves signed Javy Lopez to a minor-league contract this winter and invited him to spring training, their former star catcher had been out of baseball all year.
Discussion:
ShysterBall
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Slowes set for fourth season — Radio man's signature calls to usher in Nationals Park — WASHINGTON — The Nationals have agreed to terms with radio play-by-play broadcaster Charlie Slowes to return to the team for a fourth season, according to two baseball sources.
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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 …
RELATED:
Richard Wilner / New York Post:RUDY GETS YANKED BY TOPPS
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner, SOX & Dawgs, It IS about the money, stupid, Bugs & Cranks, WasWatching.com and Center Field
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Towers on 40-man roster, in mix for spot on staff — The Rockies' list of 22 non-roster invitees was more interesting for who wasn't on it. Pitcher Josh Towers has quietly been added to the 40-man roster, making him a viable candidate for the fifth starter's spot or bullpen role in spring training.
Jim Salisbury / philly.com:
Benson spurs Phillies' interest — The Phillies are apparently a lot more serious about free-agent pitcher Kris Benson than they've let on. — Benson has thrown privately for Phillies scout Chuck LaMar twice in the last week, a baseball source said after Benson's most recent audition yesterday in Atlanta.
NY Daily News:
Jeter swings deal with state on unpaid taxes — BY JOE MAHONEY IN ALBANY AND DOUGLAS FEIDEN IN NEW YORK — ALBANY - Derek Jeter has romanced Mariah Carey, squired Jessica Biel, sweet-talked Scarlett Johansson - and now he's made it to first base with the state taxman.
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MLB.com:
Ramirez bags Marlins' top fantasy spot — Expect production, but numbers may fall without protection — Many fantasy fans prefer to stock their rosters full of players from their favorite team, as opposed to players who make a living playing for a feared rival.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Johan Santana's introduction will be huge relief for Mets — Now that the ticker-tape parade has been completed and the keys to the city have been distributed to the Giants, it's all but baseball season. And what better way to begin that period than to introduce a $137.5 million pitcher?
Sports Illustrated:
Too much, toon soon (cont.) — Not every team showed such restraint, though. I have identified seven cases last year in which a team pushed a young pitcher at the major league level into the danger area of increased workload. Here they are, the seven young pitchers most at risk for injury …
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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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Rick Maese / Baltimore Sun:
A buried past — 96 years later, Katie Ruth's grave to be marked — In the area surrounding Lot No. 126, Section G of Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, dozens and dozens of headstones and grave markers rise from the ground. For an insect, it's a skyline that would match that of any great city.
