Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Yanks expect Pettitte to start spring behind in prep … Andy Pettitte no longer has to go to Washington, and instead, he is scheduled to report to the Yankees' training camp in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday. But staff members expect that Pettitte will be behind in his preparation for the 2008 season …
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
IT'S A SETUP — JOBA STARTS YEAR IN 'PEN — Joba Chamberlain will prepare during spring training as a starter, but will begin the season in the Yankee bullpen barring injury to any of the other five main rotation members, team officials confirmed to The Post.
Discussion:
ESPN, Baseball Musings, The LoHud Yankees Blog, MY BASEBALL BIAS, Crooked Pitch, Pinstriped Scranton, NY Daily News, NJ.com, Free Fantasy Baseball, Depressed Fan, River Ave. Blues, Pinstripe Alley, WasWatching.com, BASEBALL HOT CORNER, The Bronx Block, New York Times, YanksBlog.com and Sliding Into Home
ESPN:
Report: Pettitte's affidavit supports McNamee's version of events — Andy Pettitte's affidavit helps to support Brian McNamee's version of events that the former trainer gave Roger Clemens steroids and HGH, Rep. Tom Davis told Newsday. — Although Pettitte won't testify at Wednesday's hearings …
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Doctors: HGH alone doesn't help athletes — WASHINGTON - With the Roger Clemens-Brian McNamee showdown on deck, four doctors took the stand on Capitol Hill Tuesday morning to assert that human growth hormone (HGH) and B12 probably aren't worth the trouble. — The House Oversight …
Associated Press:
Congress hears experts on HGH, supplements — WASHINGTON — In the final warmup before the blockbuster hearing, Congress took aim at Rocky instead of the Rocket. — The House Committee that on Wednesday is expected to hear the differing viewpoints of Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee …
Joe Posnanski:
Roger, Roger. What's our Vector, Victor? — Yes, it's another new look for the ol' blog. We're like Madonna, people. We're constantly changing — you want the slutty blog, bam, we'll give you the wholesome Don't Cry for Me Argentina blog. You want the fun-loving, on the beach, Cherish blog, then we put cones on our breasts.
Derek Jacques / Baseball Prospectus:Stupid Lawyer Tricks: Clemens and McNamee Go to Congress by Derek Jacques
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Derek Jeter takes wait-and-see approach with Joe Girardi era — TAMPA - Derek Jeter knows Joe Girardi as a former teammate, a bench coach and a broadcaster, but not as a manager. So he's unsure how Girardi's regime will be different from Joe Torre's run as Yankee manager.
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Georgea. King III / New York Post:
‘ROUTINE’ CHECK FOR MATSUI — Hideki Matsui stopped by the Hospital For Special Surgery yesterday in Manhattan to have a surgically repaired right knee examined by Dr. Scott Rodeo, who performed the operation in November. — “It was routine,” GM Brian Cashman said before getting the results of Matsui's exam.
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
Rocker Claims Selig Knew of Steroid Use in 2000 — Word is coming into The Biz of Baseball that former MLB pitcher, and lighting rod, John Rocker made claims today that Bud Selig was aware of steroid use in MLB in 2000 after, as Rocker claims, he was made to test for them after his inflammatory comments in Sports Illustrated.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Twins pick up free-agent hurler Hernandez — Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005. He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX. — Livan Hernandez, who lingered on the free-agent market far longer than anticipated, finally has found a new team.
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Astros have veteran Chacon on radar — Club offers free-agent right-hander deal two days before camp — HOUSTON — The Houston Astros have made an offer to right-hander Shawn Chacon, one of a handful of free-agent pitchers still looking for work in the final stages of the 2007-08 offseason.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Rich Lederer / Baseball Analysts:
Best Young Players in Baseball by Age: Part Two (23- and 22-Year Olds) — We continue our three-part series on the Best Young Players in Baseball. Unlike most prospect lists, players are categorized by age and major leaguers are also eligible for inclusion.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
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Ben Shpigel / Bats:
I'm Glad I Don't Play OF — God Bless Carlos Beltran. Or Andruw Jones. Or Aaron Rowand. Or any other center fielder who will be playing at the Mets' new stadium, Citi Field, next season and beyond. — The staff down here in Port St. Lucie was mandated to tear down the fence …
Discussion:
The Ropolitans
Rob Bradford / Bradford Files:
Hansen wins the battle against snoring — Red Sox reliever Craig Hansen talked at lenghth about his battle with sleep apnea, having undergone surgery for the condition in early November. The difference is remarkable, especially after having gone through the tests performed at Massachusetts Eye and Ear.
Tim Marchman / New York Sun:
What To Expect From Maine and Perez in 2008 — John Maine, the Mets' no. 3 starter, was born in May 1981. Oliver Perez, the no. 4 starter, was born three months later. The Mets stole each in seemingly minor deals in 2006. Last year, each won 15 games and ranked in the top 20 …
