Top News:
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?
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Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Mets introduce Johan Santana — Forget the historic collapse of 2007. That's the Mets' goal, and Wednesday they showed off the player they believe is the perfect person to lead them into 2008 with a clean slate. — The Mets officially unveiled Johan Santana at a packed news conference held inside the Diamond Club of Shea Stadium.
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 …
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers hire Ryan as club president — Team will introduce Hall of Fame pitcher on Wednesday — ARLINGTON — The Rangers are hiring Nolan Ryan as their new club president, team officials confirmed on Wednesday. — Ryan is expected to be introduced at a 3 p.m. CT press conference at The Ballpark in Arlington.
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Nolan Ryan to become Texas Rangers' president — egrant@dallasnews.com — The Texas Rangers will hold a 3 p.m. news conference today to announce the return of Nolan Ryan as team president, according to sources. — The club made overtures to Ryan last month about rejoining the club in some kind of role.
NY Daily News:
Lawyers: Brian McNamee has physical evidence linking Roger Clemens to steroids — Brian McNamee has turned over physical evidence to federal investigators that he believes will show Roger Clemens used performance-enhancing drugs, according to McNamee's lawyers.
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New York Times:
Lawyers Say McNamee Has Physical Evidence — Brian McNamee's lawyers are promising to deliver a bombshell Thursday against Roger Clemens. — McNamee, Clemens's former trainer, will produce “corroborative physical evidence” for congressional investigators that he injected Clemens …
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Munson's legacy remembered — Dinner honoring late catcher invokes many fond memories — NEW YORK — Until Tuesday, Thurman Munson's oldest granddaughter didn't quite understand all the commotion. She knew of her grandfather's legacy, and of the annual awards dinner held each year in his name.
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Associated Press:
Tino Martinez rejoins Yanks as special instructor — TAMPA, Fla. — Tino Martinez played on four World Series championship teams with the New York Yankees. Now the former first baseman is back as a special instructor. — Martinez joined the Yankees on Wednesday at the team's minor league complex …
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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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Around the Horn: Bullpen — Much of unit's fortune hinges on effectiveness of Sanchez … NEW YORK — No, Johan Santana is not in the Mets' bullpen, though he might as well be. He'll have nearly as profound an effect on that group as he will on the rotation.
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MetsBlog.com
David Lefort / Boston Globe:
Saturday is Truck Day — It's not exactly Groundhog Day, but it's as much a sign that spring is around the corner in New England as any shadow-seeking critter. That's right, Sox fans, Truck Day is almost here. — The 18-wheeler that carries the Red Sox' spring training equipment from Boston …
Marc Lancaster / Rays Report:
Lefty Miller returns to Rays — Left-handed reliever Trever Miller has agreed to a one-year major-league contract with the Rays that includes a team option for 2009, he said today. The deal is expected to become official later today or tomorrow, once the final results from the physical Miller took Tuesday come in.
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Notes: Padres get Gonzalez from Nats — Team works out former Royals first baseman Sweeney — SAN DIEGO — Maybe the old baseball adage is true after all. You can never have enough pitching. — On Tuesday, the Padres claimed right-handed pitcher Enrique Gonzalez off waivers …
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MLB Rumors
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ESPN:
No sign of resolution in O's-Mariners Bedard deal — The Erik Bedard trade, reported to be “near completion” for days now, is giving the term “snail's pace” a new meaning. — Bedard was still at home Tuesday night in Ontario, Canada, according to the Baltimore Sun, a sign that the trade …
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.
