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 …
Discussion:
New York Post, WasWatching.com, River Ave. Blues, iYankees, Scott Proctor's Arm, YanksBlog.com and MY BASEBALL BIAS
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Pettitte told Congress Clemens admitted to using human growth hormone — CBSSports.com wire reports — WASHINGTON — Roger Clemens told Yankees teammate Andy Pettitte nearly 10 years ago that he used human growth hormone, Pettitte said in a sworn affidavit to Congress, the Associated Press learned Tuesday.
Ross Newhan / Los Angeles Times:
From ‘Shadows’ to the screen — If baseball's steroids scandal sounds like a Hollywood script, Ron Shelton is way ahead of you. — Pitchers and catchers are slated to report to major league training camps Thursday, but Roger Clemens returns to Capitol Hill in Washington today in a continuation …
Discussion:
ShysterBall
Derek Jacques / Baseball Prospectus:Stupid Lawyer Tricks: Clemens and McNamee Go to Congress by Derek Jacques
Discussion:
The Futility Infielder
Evan Grant / Rangers:
Mench for the bench — Kevin Mench is coming back to the Rangers. Mench agreed to a minor league deal with the club on Tuesday afternoon. He'll fight for a backup outfielder's spot along with David Murphy, Nelson Cruz and Jason Botts. — Mench, 30, hit .267 for Milwaukee last year with a .746 OPS and eight homers in 101 games.
RELATED:
Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers lack center piece to make big move — SURPRISE, Ariz. - I dreaded packing up the old homestead, leaving the wonder dog behind, and heading for the desert for a couple of weeks. — Then, I landed in Arizona Tuesday. The sky was clear, the air was crisp, the desert was alive and the In-N-Out Burger was open.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Twins fill spot vacated by Santana with Hernandez — MINNEAPOLIS — Pitcher Livan Hernandez and the Minnesota Twins agreed to a $5 million, one-year contract. — Hernandez can earn an additional $2 million in performance bonuses. — The Twins are short on experience in their rotation …
Discussion:
The Baseball Zealot, Out in the Desert, The MLB Source, SBG Nation Presents … and Fox Sports
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Aaron / AaronGleeman.com:
Twins Sign Livan Hernandez — Faced with the possibility of an entirely 26-and-under rotation following the trade of Johan Santana, the Twins predictably acquired a veteran starter yesterday by signing Livan Hernandez to a one-year deal worth $5 million plus $2 million in incentives.
Karen Matthews / Associated Press:
Home run apple will follow New York Mets to new ballpark — NEW YORK (AP) — The huge fiberglass apple that pops up when the New York Mets hit home runs will follow them to their new ballpark when it opens next year. — “The big home run apple is coming,” the team's chief operating officer …
Discussion:
New York Post, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog, SaveTheApple.com, Loge 13 and Mets Merized Online
Danny Knobler / Detroit Tigers Insider:
Looking ahead: The options game — DETROIT — Spring training starts this week, which means the guessing game for the 25-man opening day roster starts, too. — You'll need to know who has minor-league options remaining, and sure enough I got an e-mail this morning from Glenn, asking about just that.
RELATED:
Scott Lauber / Phillies:
Feb. 12 — BENSON ON THE WAY? — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Just got off the phone with Kris Benson's agent, who says a deal between the free-agent right-hander and the Phillies may be struck within the next 24 to 36 hours. — Gregg Clifton told me he has been speaking with Phillies assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr …
Jack Curry / Bats:
Q & A with Joe Girardi — When I interviewed Yankees Manager Joe Girardi in Coral Springs, Fla., last Wednesday, we set 9 a.m. as the meeting time. I figured I would get to the coffee shop early to scout out a quiet place to sit. I arrived at 8:40 a.m., and Girardi was already there.
Discussion:
Eephus Pitch
Amy K. Nelson / ESPN:
Revitalized Crawford sees hope for Rays … SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Adam Dunn leaned over the skybox at the raucous 16th hole during the recent FBR Open and yelled out to PGA golfer and friend Steve Elkington, rousing him into making his putt. Elkington playfully acknowledged Dunn's taunts …
Kobrien / On the Yankees beat:
Jeter, Wang talk — A number of players worked out today at the Yankees minor league complex, including a handful of big leaguers. Derek Jeter and Chien-Ming Wang each talked to reporters. — Here are a couple of Jeter comments. He only addressed the steroid saga, as he was hurrying off to catch a flight.
