Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:
Former major league pitcher Dock Ellis dies — Dock Ellis, the former major league pitcher best remembered for his flamboyance and social activism as a member of the great Pittsburgh Pirates teams of the 1970s, died Friday of a liver ailment in California, his former agent, Tom Reich, confirmed.
ESPN:
Red Sox aren't necessarily out of Teixeira talks … Red Sox executives flew to Texas on Thursday believing they were close enough in negotiations to complete a deal with Mark Teixeira. But after they arrived, they were informed that their offer to Teixeira — something in the range …
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Rivera agrees with Angels on three-year deal … Free agent outfielder Juan Rivera is returning to the Los Angeles Angels on a three-year contract, the team announced Friday. — Rivera, 30, is a career .284 hitter with 72 homers in eight seasons with the New York Yankees, Montreal Expos and the Angels.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Braun to play for Team USA — Brewers slugger to represent country in World Baseball Classic — MILWAUKEE — Before he plays for his team in 2009, Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun will suit up for his country. — Braun said Friday that he has accepted an invitation to play for Team USA …
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's eye landing Giambi and letting Crosby go — (12-19) 18:32 PST — Bobby Crosby appears to be fading from the A's plans for 2009, but another well-known name in Oakland could be getting a second opportunity with his former team. — The A's are poised to begin talks with free-agent …
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Jim Street / MLB.com:
Crosby clears outright waivers — Shortstop appears headed to Spring Training as A's starter — Athletics shortstop Bobby Crosby has cleared outright waivers, keeping the 28-year-old in Oakland — for now, at least. — The waiver period expired at 10 a.m. PT on Friday …
Associated Press:
Sabathia to get $9.5 million from Yankees before season opener — NEW YORK — CC Sabathia will receive $9.5 million from the New York Yankees before he throws his first official pitch in pinstripes. — His $161 million, seven-year contract includes a $9 million signing bonus …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Norton signs one-year deal with Braves — Top-notch pinch-hitter will return to Atlanta in 2009 to help off bench — ATLANTA — After proving to be one of Major League Baseball's top pinch-hitters last year, Greg Norton proved valuable enough to earn a return to the Braves.
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Associated Press:
Pinch-hit specialist Norton agrees to $800K deal to stay in Atlanta — CBSSports.com wire reports — ATLANTA — Greg Norton and the Braves agreed Friday to an $800,000, one-year contract, a deal that keeps the pinch-hit specialist in Atlanta. — The 36-year-old Norton led the major leagues …
MLB.com:
D-backs sign Travis Blackley to Major League contract — Australia native spent time with Mariners, Giants and Phillies — PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks today signed left-handed pitcher Travis Blackley to a Major League contract, as announced by D-backs' Executive Vice President and General Manager Josh Byrnes.
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AZ Snakepit
Fox Sports:
White Sox staying true to youth movement — We laughed when Ken Williams said the ChiSox would stay young. Ken Rosenthal says Chicago's youth movement is getting serious.
