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.
Discussion:
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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 …
Discussion:
The Mighty Quinn Media Machine, SPORTSbyBROOKS, umpbump.com, SOX1FAN, Sliding Into Home, FanHouse, SOX & Dawgs and My Pinstripes
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:
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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 …
Discussion:
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David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Santana or Martinez? — Had an interesting conversation with Newsday colleague Ken Davidoff on the ride back from Wednesday's Johan Santana press conference at Shea. So who starts Opening Day in Miami — Santana or Pedro Martinez? — Davidoff thought it was a no-brainer that Martinez gets the nod.
Discussion:
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Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:SANTANA HAS A DAY AT SHEA — STAR-STUDDED CELEBRATION FOR JOHAN'S ARRIVAL
seattlepi.com Mariners blog:
Bedard is finally heading for Seattle — Erik Bedard is — gasp — no longer at home in Ottawa. — Bedard is en route to Seattle as of Thursday morning, setting up a physical exam later in the day and an announcement of the completion of a trade between Baltimore and Seattle that will bring Bedard into the Mariners' fold.
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Bedard expected in Seattle for physical — Ace heads for tests in final step of deal; examination may stretch into tomorrow — Erik Bedard is expected to arrive in Seattle this afternoon to take a physical, the final step in the completion of the six-player deal between the Orioles and Mariners.
New York Post:
PEDRO'S FOWL BALL — A sickening video of New York Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez and legendary Hall of Famer Juan Marichal laughing at a gruesome cockfight in the Dominican Republic was posted - and then quickly taken off - YouTube. — Martinez and Marichal, among the best pitchers of all time …
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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.
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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, YanksBlog.com, The Chuck Knoblog, NJ.com and River Ave. Blues
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carpenter optimistic on '08 — JUPITER, FLA. — A week before pitchers and catchers officially report, rehabilitating ace Chris Carpenter made his first figurative pitch of spring training camp Wednesday. — Sidelined since last opening day by elbow problems that eventually required …
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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
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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.
