Top News:
Todd Zolecki / philly.com:
Phillies' Ryan Howard wins arbitration — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Ryan Howard has won his salary arbitration hearing against the Phillies, a baseball source told The Inquirer this morning. — He will make $10 million this season. — The Phillies had offered $7 million.
Discussion:
The Biz of Baseball, Baseball Musings, True Blue LA, Phillies Nation, The Good Phight and MLB Fleece Factor
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Howard's $10M win in arbitration sets new high water mark — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Ryan Howard won his salary arbitration case against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday when he was award $10 million, the highest figure awarded a victorious player. — The 2006 NL MVP, who had been offered $7 million …
Sports Illustrated:
Phillies 1B Howard wins arbitration — Phillies star first baseman will earn $10 million in '08 — Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard has won his arbitration case and will receive a $10 million salary this season, SI.com has learned. — Philadelphia submitted a $7 million offer for the 2008 season …
Associated Press:
Manny wants to end career in Boston — But if Sox don't pick up option, that's OK too — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Boston slugger Manny Ramirez wants to finish his career with the Red Sox, but doesn't plan to ask the club to pick up his option for 2009. — After leaving the batting cage …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
RELATED:
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Manny speaks... Though he didn't do it in a formalized setting, Manny Ramirez did decide to speak with the media this morning. This could signal that Ramirez will be heading back to the old days, when he regularly talked to members of the media. He used to, but took a hiatus, finally breaking his silence in the 2007 postseason.
Discussion:
Center Field
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
A-Rod exaggeration causes stir — TAMPA - Alex Rodriguez sat in the Yankees dugout at Legends Field on Wednesday and answered every question thrown his way openly. Then he found a way to put his foot in his mouth. — After declaring in no uncertain terms that he has never used any type …
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Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
COMPUTER CRASH — CAPTAIN SHAKES OFF MEAN MACHINE'S SILLY STUDY — Derek Jeter arrived at his 16th Yankees spring training yesterday labeled the worst shortstop in the majors by some statistical braniacs over at Penn. — “Maybe it was a computer glitch,” the three-time Gold Glove winner said of the report.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings, NY Daily News, Lone Star Ball, Sliding Into Home, iYankees, THE BOOK, It is about the money, stupid and ShysterBall
David Lennon / Newsday:
Notes: Freddy Garcia in no rush to sign — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Freddy Garcia's visit to Tradition Field yesterday may have been characterized as a friendly chat by the Mets, but with the rehabbing pitcher making the rounds with his agents, there could be another business meeting later down the line.
RELATED:
Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
The Oracle of the Phillies Has the Last Words — CLEARWATER, Fla. — In its never-ending quest to mirror the American political landscape, baseball has found its answer to the latest Clinton-Obama hullabaloo. — A year ago, Jimmy Rollins proclaimed his Phillies “the team to beat” …
RELATED:
Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:
Crisp Not Reserving Judgment — CF Wants Trade If He Can't Get Job Back — Boston Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp speaks to the media during workouts at the team's baseball spring training facility in Fort Myers, Fla. (BRITA MENG OUTZEN / AP / February 20, 2008)
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
J. Byrnes, Hall get 8-year extensions — TUCSON - Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes and President Derrick Hall are being rewarded with contract extensions, each receiving an eight-year deal that will run through 2015. — The contracts are expected to be announced today, the first day of full-squad workouts in Tucson.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: D-backs, Trot Nixon agree … The Arizona Diamondbacks have reached an agreement on a minor league contract with veteran outfielder Trot Nixon, according to a baseball source. — Nixon, 33, gives the Diamondbacks some insurance from the left side of the plate as corner infielder Chad Tracy continues …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Counsell knows his role — Cameron rests hamstring; Yost mulling Fielder-Braun lineup — PHOENIX — On one hand, Brewers veteran Craig Counsell wants to play. But if he does play extensively in 2008, it means something has gone terribly wrong for the team.
RELATED:
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Netherlands bid elates Vandenhurk — JUPITER - For all the excitement that comes with vying for a spot in the Marlins' rotation, Rick Vandenhurk is certain next spring training will offer an even bigger thrill. — Tuesday, World Baseball Classic Inc. officially invited the Netherlands to participate in the 2009 event.
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates, Kim agree to $850,000 deal — Pitcher due to arrive in Bradenton today for physical — BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates' contract with free-agent pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim, a one-year, major-league deal with base pay of $850,000 and up to $1 million in performance bonuses, will be completed if he passes a physical today.
Discussion:
The Transaction Guy
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Moises Alou may play until he's 45 — PORT ST. LUCIE - Moises Alou didn't pick up a bat until mid-January, his winter instead consumed by hunting quail in the Dominican Republic. Yet when Alou finally resumed taking cuts, the outfielder's proficiency instantly resurfaced.
