Top News:
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Yankees allow Pettitte to report late — Left-hander spoke to Cashman, Girardi before decision — TAMPA, Fla. — One of the most pressing issues surrounding Wednesday's congressional hearing in Washington was the absence of Andy Pettitte. One of the most pressing issues surrounding Yankees camp …
RELATED:
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform:
Committee Holds Second Day of Hearings on the Mitchell Report and Steroids in Baseball — The full Committee held a hearing entitled “The Mitchell Report: The Illegal Use of Steroids in Major League Baseball, Day 2.” This hearing examined allegations of steroid use by Roger Clemens and several …
Discussion:
YanksBlog.com, SOX & Dawgs, The Bronx Stop, Boston Dirt Dogs, It IS about the money, stupid and Sports Scope
Associated Press:
Clemens the topic at spring training — Torre, Piniella, Girardi and players discuss testimony — VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Joe Torre spent much of his day talking about Roger Clemens. So did Lou Piniella, Joe Girardi and dozens of major leaguers from Florida to Phoenix.
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Players react to Congressional drama — While Congress gave Roger Clemens the third degree, the proverbial six degrees of separation drew a lot of other ballplayers into the drama unfolding on Capital Hill. — Andy Pettitte nudged over Brian McNamee in the very small circle of people attesting …
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Cone Denies Telling McNamee Owners Opposed Testing — TAMPA, Fla. — David Cone was casually monitoring the Congressional hearings featuring Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee from his home in Stamford, Conn. After he left the room for a few minutes, he said he was surprised when he heard his name mentioned on television.
Discussion:
New York Post
RELATED:
Alan Schwarz / Bats:Analysis: The Clemens & McNamee Hearing
Discussion:
New York Post, Fox Sports, Washington Post, ESPN, Baseball Musings, Eephus Pitch, Sliding Into Home, Boston Globe and MY BASEBALL BIAS
On the Mets beat:
Perez headed for arbitration? — Oliver Perez and the Mets are scheduled for an arbitration hearing on Feb. 21 in St. Petersburg. Given that the two sides have yet to reach an agreement, and Perez — or more accurately, his rep Scott Boras — wants to be a free agent at the of this year …
RELATED:
Ben Shpigel / Bats:
Day 3 Highlights From Port St. Lucie — The news you have all been waiting for. OK, maybe that's too strong. But Johan Santana made a surprise appearance Wednesday afternoon and threw on flat ground for 15 minutes with the pitching coach Rick Peterson and the bullpen coach Guy Conti watching.
Discussion:
Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog
Todd Zolecki / philly.com:
Phillies sign Benson — CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies have come to minor-league contract agreement with free agent righthander Kris Benson. — The contract is pending a physical. — The Phillies have seen Benson throw three times this off-season: once in December and twice recently …
Discussion:
Associated Press, SOX & Dawgs, The Zo Zone, Bugs & Cranks, Beerleaguer, Phillies Nation, The Good Phight and Phillies
RELATED:
Jeremy Cothran / NJ.com:
The Mets Close To Adding Another... PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Ben Johnson, who spent part of 2007 with the Mets, is close to making a return with the club. The outfielder and the team are finalizing a new minor-league deal, which would include an invite to spring training.
RELATED:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Notes: Santana makes first appearance — Prized lefty throws to Mets' Minor League pitching instructor — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — After steady rain had ended the Mets' unofficial morning workout Wednesday, an unusual episode happened in the early afternoon — a left-handed catcher appeared.
Discussion:
Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Sanchez aiming to play pivotal role — After missing '07 season, reliever eager to resume setup duties — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Pedro Martinez had promise as his daily companion then. Grueling and extended as his workouts were last summer, he always had hope by his side as he sweated and strained.
Associated Press:
Dempster: Cubs will end 100-year Series drought — MESA, Ariz. — Ryan Dempster plans to move from closer to starter for the Chicago Cubs this season. On the first day of spring training, he took on another role: prognosticator. — “I think we are going to win the World Series.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Johnson ready to play — First baseman eager for spring, says leg is ‘100 percent’ — VIERA, Fla. — Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson was seen in the Space Coast Stadium clubhouse Wednesday afternoon and said that he is ready to start playing exhibition games — and for good reason.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Chone Smith / Anaheim Angels all the way:
AL projected Standings — Using the CHONE projections, and what I currently assume will be each team's lineup. All trades, signings up to today are considered. — AL East — Red Sox 92-70 — Yankees 92-70 — Rays 89-73 — Blue Jays 83-79 — Orioles 65-97
Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
Remembering Fred Lynn — Before Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee hogged the spotlight, a lot of people were talking about Jim Rice and the Hall of Fame. Remember that? You do? Well, all of that talk made me nostalgic for 1975 in Boston. Remember that, too? No?
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Around the Horn: Bench — Left-handed hitters, defensive standouts to be in reserve … MILWAUKEE — Brewers general manager Doug Melvin has a sense of which players will win bench spots for Opening Day, but he's not ready to print the programs just yet. — “What determines a lot …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
