Top News:
NY Daily News:
Roger Clemens' lawyer receives letter of reprimand from Henry Waxman — Rusty Hardin, the lawyer representing Roger Clemens in the pitcher's red-hot denials of performance-enhancing drug use, said Sunday with dismay in his voice that he has always suspected his client could end up embroiled in a federal prosecution.
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San Diego Union-Tribune:
Clark, Padres agree on contract — UNION-TRIBUNE FROM STAFF AND NEWS REPORTS — The Padres and pinch-hitter/first baseman Tony Clark have agreed to the basics of a one-year contract worth in the neighborhood of $900,000, but it may take another day or two to work out the details.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
New York Post:
WARMING UP TO BASEBALL — HARDBALL'S GUIDE TO SPRING TRAINING '08 — THIS was an offseason about what you didn't see coming. Those best of enemies, Brian Cashman and Red Sox GM Theo Epstein, came together in harmony at separate functions on each other's home turf while the seemingly impenetrable bonds …
Discussion:
Bronx Liaison
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Finding a first baseman — Several readers e-mailed over the winter suggesting the Yankees make a trade for Nick Johnson. — I had my doubts. While he's a good player when healthy, staying healthy has always been an issue for Johnson. He hasn't played since the end of the 2006 season because of a badly broken leg.
Discussion:
iYankees
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
LA close to deal with pinch-hit specialist Sweeney … The Los Angeles Dodgers, fulfilling manager Joe Torre's desire for a veteran hitter off the bench, are nearing agreement on a one-year major league contract with free agent Mark Sweeney. — “It's not a done deal, but we're moving in the right direction …
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
A's ink Sweeney to Minor League deal — Veteran spent first 17 seasons in Royals organization — SURPRISE, Ariz. — It's official. Mike Sweeney's days with the Kansas City Royals are over. On Sunday, he agreed to a Minor League contract with the Oakland A's.
Discussion:
The Transaction Guy
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Money not an issue with Cleveland Indians pitcher C.C. Sabathia, length of contract is — Now that the revised terms of Johan Santana's contract with the New York Mets have come out, the numbers aren't as bad as previously thought in terms of keeping C.C. Sabathia in Cleveland.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
No surprise in Surprise: Pitching is Texas Rangers' top priority — Improvements in pitching staff tops list of ‘musts’ entering camp — egrant@dallasnews.com — When the Rangers start unloading bags Thursday in Surprise, Ariz., signaling the start of the 37th spring training since moving to Arlington …
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins' Hanley Ramirez must wait for windfall — Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez, right, hugs Yovan Ayes, 6, while signing autographs at the Marlins' annual FanFest in Miami, Saturday. (AP/Lynne Sladky / February 9, 2008) — Not long after Marlins President David Samson delivered …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Jim Baumbach / AM New York:
Stanley had bad timing with Yankees — Maybe Joe Girardi is telling the truth when he insists he isn't worried about replacing Joe Torre, the greatest Yankee manager in decades. Girardi has already successfully replaced a fan favorite in the Bronx. In 1996 he took over for none other than ... Mike Stanley.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
The tasks at hand — With the 2007 National League pennant tacked on their wall, the Rockies open spring training Friday with higher expectations than at any point in franchise history. “We are no longer the hunter; we are the hunted,” manager Clint Hurdle said.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Roberts: Next man up? — All-Star 2nd baseman remains trade chip; Cubs deal still possible — The Orioles answered their biggest question of the offseason Friday by trading ace pitcher Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners for five players, proving emphatically that they are committed to the rebuilding process.
Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
Baseball's Devil May Not Be in the Details — WHEN the House Oversight Committee convened recently to discuss baseball and steroids — another hearing is scheduled for Wednesday — Representative Mark Souder, an Indiana Republican, injected a specific proposal.
