Top News:
philly.com:
Rich Hofmann: SAINTana — New York disgustingly canonizes new ace before he even pitches — NEW YORK - In the realm of the nauseating, this was even worse than Eli Manning and the fellas parading the Lombardi Trophy through the Canyon of Heroes (because the Giants earned it, after all).
RELATED:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Mets got more than just an ace in Santana — Just as he was about to sign his name to this huge, next step in his baseball life last Friday, Johan Santana turned to his longtime agent, Peter Greenberg, with a question. — “Are they going to criticize this contract?” Santana asked, according to Greenberg.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets usher in Santana era at Shea — Introduced to media, prized lefty proud to join New York — NEW YORK — Shredded office documents, the 21st century equivalent of ticker tape, still were visible on lower Broadway Wednesday morning, a day after the Giants had been the guests of honor in the Canyon of Heroes.
Brian Heyman / The Journal News:Yankees' Cabrera thrilled he wasn't traded
Discussion:
Bronx Liaison
Associated Press:
Ex-pitcher Cone takes some blame for steroid era — NEW YORK — David Cone is taking part of the responsibility for baseball's steroids era. — The former pitcher was on the union's negotiating team during the 1994-95 strike, when management proposed drug testing and the players' association successfully fought it off.
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Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Cone Back With Yanks as an Analyst for YES — David Cone, who has lived a private life since his short comeback with the Mets in 2003, returned Wednesday to a more public role as a booth and studio analyst for a combined 50 to 75 games on the YES Network. He signed a two-year contract.
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.
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Rays sign Hinske to Minor League deal — Former Rookie of the Year also snags Spring Training invite — ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays have signed Eric Hinske to a Minor League contract with an invite to Major League camp this spring. — “I'm excited to join the Rays,” said Hinske in a telephone interview.
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Donnelly signs minor league deal with spring training invite … The Cleveland Indians signed reliever Brendan Donnelly to a minor league contract, with an invitation to spring training, on Wednesday. — Donnelly had Tommy John surgery last August, so the Indians are taking a flyer …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Associated Press, The Transaction Guy, MLB Rumors, MLB Fleece Factor and DRaysBay
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Hagin set to join Mets' radio team — Wayne Hagin is expected to be announced next week as Tom McCarthy's successor as Mets radio voice alongside Howie Rose. Hagin has called games for the Rockies and Cardinals. He once got himself in trouble for implying Colorado first baseman Todd Helton used steroids.
Discussion:
the metropolitans, Kranepool Society, MLB Fleece Factor, Hot Stove New York, Mets Lifers and Shea Nation
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
News: Perez not yet Open to Long-Term Deal — The Mets have not yet to come to terms with Oliver Perez and Ryan Church. — Perez is eligible to be a free agent after this season. — According to Adam Rubin in the Daily News, Mets GM Omar Minaya said yesterday that Perez's agent …
Discussion:
metsgrrl.com
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Livan wants to lead Nats staff — Free agent righty makes desire to join Washington known — WASHINGTON — Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in less than a week and right-hander Livan Hernandez is still a free agent. On Wednesday, Hernandez said he would like to play …
Discussion:
MLB Fleece Factor
Mark Hale / New York Post:
PAYROLL WON'T BE A PROBLEM, WILPON SAYS — If the Mets want to add to their payroll during the season, COO Jeff Wilpon told The Post yesterday there is still room to do it. — “Absolutely,” Wilpon said. — The Mets' payroll isn't fully determined yet, especially considering Ryan Church …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Q&A on Texas Rangers' Ryan hire — egrant@dallasnews.com — Rangers beat writer Evan Grant tries to answer lingering questions surrounding Wednesday's announcement that Nolan Ryan will join the club as team president: — What's the significance of the move?
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers' Millwood tries martial arts training — rdurrett@dallasnews.com — IRVING - With one quick, calculated motion, Rangers pitcher Kevin Millwood grabs teammate Kameron Loe's right leg, lifts it up and slams Loe's back onto a cushioned mat. Millwood then slides on top of Loe …
