Top News:
Tony Massarotti / Clubhouse Insider:
Schilling Issue Serious — Roughly a week before pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training, the Herald has learned today that right-hander Curt Schilling has a significant shoulder injury that could end the veteran right-hander's season and is causing tension and friction between the player and club.
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Boston Globe:
Schilling sidelined with more shoulder issues — Sox pitcher not expected to be ready for start of spring training — Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling is not expected to be ready for the start of spring training because of shoulder issues, much like the ones that caused the club to shut …
Sports Illustrated:
Tom Verducci: Santana nearly called off Mets deal — Pitcher Johan Santana gave the Mets a preview of his competitiveness last Friday, five minutes before the initial deadline to their contract negotiations. With the two sides just $5 million apart, Santana personally informed Mets owner Fred Wilpon …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, It's Mets For Me, It IS about the money, stupid, ShysterBall and Shea Nation
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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 …
George Vecsey / New York Times:
Before the Ante, the Mets Have a Pair of Aces — The other night, after the Johan Santana deal was in place, Willie Randolph was chatting with Pedro Martínez about the immensity of acquiring a pitcher with a 93-44 career record. Why, Santana just might win the Cy Young award, the manager said.
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).
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Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Star pitchers looking to regain form — Several aces hope to rebound from injury-plagued '07 — Off the radar screen for all or most of the 2007 season because of injury, several All-Star pitchers are hoping to get back in the picture in a big way in 2008.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:SANTANA HAS A DAY AT SHEA — STAR-STUDDED CELEBRATION FOR JOHAN'S ARRIVAL
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:
MLB Rumors, the metropolitans, Kranepool Society, MLB Fleece Factor, Hot Stove New York, The Ropolitans, Mets Lifers and Shea Nation
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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.
Discussion:
The Bronx Stop, It IS about the money, stupid, The Chuck Knoblog, NJ.com, YanksBlog.com and River Ave. Blues
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
McNamee's Evidence Would Be Hard to Date — The syringes, vials and gauze pads that Brian McNamee has turned over to federal investigators to back up his contention that he injected Roger Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone will be the subject of a strenuous attack if they enter the courtroom …
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Ray Waddell / Billboard:
Billy Joel To Be Shea's ‘Last Play’ — Billy Joel will be the last artist to play at New York's Shea Stadium with a July 16 concert billed as “The Last Play at Shea, From the Beatles to Billy.” The show comes in the midst of the New York Mets' final season at Shea; the team moves into its new home at Citi Field in 2009.
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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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 …
Associated Press:
Video posted of Pedro at cockfight — A video of New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal at a cockfight was posted this week on YouTube. — Martinez and Marichal laugh before releasing the roosters. The two took part as honorary “soltadores,” …
Discussion:
New York Daily News Blogs, ShysterBall, WasWatching.com, Hot Stove New York and MLB Fleece Factor
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Mets Top 11 Prospects — Four-Star Prospects — Three-Star Prospects — Two-Star Prospects — Just Missing: Nick Carr, RHP; Nick Evans, 1B; Francisco Pena, C — 1. Fernando Martinez, OF — Bats/Throws: L/R — Acquired: NDFA, 2005, Dominican Republic
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
