Top News:
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Oswalt would erase A-Rod's numbers — HOUSTON — If Roy Oswalt had his druthers, any player who was proven to, or admitted to, using performance-enhancing drugs would have his numbers erased from baseball history, the Astros ace said on Tuesday. — That includes Alex Rodriguez …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Obama weighs in on A-Rod — WASHINGTON — A few hours after Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez admitted to using steroids, President Barack Obama weighed in during his first prime-time press conference on Monday. — Asked by Michael Fletcher of the Washington Post to comment …
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com:Ex-union boss Miller blasts baseball ‘witch hunt’
Discussion:
ESPN, MLB FanHouse, Walkoff Walk, River Avenue Blues, It is about the money, stupid and New Jersey Online
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Sources: Abreu, Angels discussing 1-year deal — Free-agent outfielder Bobby Abreu is in serious talks toward a one-year agreement with the Los Angeles Angels, two baseball sources told ESPN.com. — Abreu, 34, is one of the premier hitters left on the market this offseason.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, River Avenue Blues, Bucs Trade Winds, Mariners Insider, Jorge Says No!, U.S.S. Mariner, 6-4-2, PE.com, JonahKeri.com and ESPN.com
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Abreu might be headed Halos' way — Free-agent slugger reportedly nearing one-year deal with Angels — According to several reports, the Angels are closing in on a deal for free-agent outfielder Bobby Abreu. — Efforts to reach Angels general manager Tony Reagins for comment have been unsuccessful.
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels showing serious interest in Bobby Abreu — They are expected to sign the free-agent outfielder before the start of spring training Saturday. — The Angels, in dire need of a power boost from the left side, have expressed serious interest in Bobby Abreu and are expected to sign …
John Hickey / seattlepi.com Mariners blog:Abreu could bypass Mariners and go with Angels
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
NY Daily News:
Cops: no record of trouble between A-Rod and SI writer — Alex Rodriguez claimed in his ESPN interview that the Sports Illustrated journalist who first reported the Yankee star had tested positive for steroids in 2003 had stalked him and was cited by the Miami Beach police for trying to break into his home as his daughters slept.
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NY Daily News:
$15M Lawsuit claims ex-Met Roberto Alomar had sex knowing he had AIDS — Baseball great Roberto Alomar has full-blown AIDS but insisted on having unprotected sex, his ex-girlfriend charged Tuesday in a bombshell lawsuit. — The shocking claim was leveled by Ilya Dall, 31 …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings, New York Post, It is about the money, stupid, The 'Ropolitans and New Jersey Online
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Craig Calcaterra / Hardball Times:
This is simply horrible — Just when you think this offseason couldn't get more sordid and sad: … The article sets forth all of the complaint's sordid allegations, though people close to Alomar say he is healthy and this suit is baseless. I don't suppose it will be long before we get confirmation …
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
METS SIGN VALENTIN TO MINOR LEAGUE DEAL — The Mets have thrown another player into the mix to be a potential backup or alternative to Luis Castillo by signing Jose Valentin to a minor league contract, the Post has learned. — Valentin would make $800,000 if he played in the majors.
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers add Milton to pitching mix — Left-hander signs Minor League deal to compete for spot — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers, seemingly collecting veteran pitchers on the eve of Spring Training, signed Eric Milton to a Minor League contract Tuesday to join the competition for the fifth starter spot or the bullpen.
JSOnline:
Looper deal has mutual option — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — The one-year deal the Brewers struck with free agent right-hander Braden Looper yesterday has a mutual option for 2010. — I don't know the salary figure for that year yet but I heard this is the way it works …
Harvey Fialkov / Boston Herald:
Huizenga regrets dismantling of '97 world champion Marlins — DAVIE, Fla. - Outgoing Miami Dolphins [team stats] majority owner H. Wayne Huizenga bid an emotional farewell to his favorite franchise Tuesday, but for the first time admitted he might have broke up the Marlins a year too soon after they won the 1997 World Series.
Discussion:
Hardball Times
MLB.com:
Royals sign pitcher Jamey Wright to a Minor League contract with spring invitation — Hudson Removed from Major League Camp — The Kansas City Royals today have signed right-handed pitcher Jamey Wright to a minor league contract for the 2009 season. Wright has been invited …
Cjennings / Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Blog:
Notes from Newman: Fryer, Cox, Duncan and others — Got a call back this morning from Yankees vice president of baseball operations Mark Newman. He was able to give me a few tidbits about how the organization is leaning regarding certain players, but ultimately our conversation centered …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Jon Weisman / Dodger Thoughts:
Torre hopes gay ballplayers would feel free to go public — It went mostly unnoticed in the rapid transition of Bronx-dominated headlines from “The Yankee Years” to Alex Rodriguez and steroids, but Joe Torre made some helpful comments in his interview with CNN's Larry King regarding gay baseball players.
Scottbordow / Valley Sports:
Look out for the Dodgers — As I'm writing this, it's just before 2 p.m. on Tuesday, and the Arizona Diamondbacks should feel good about their chances to win the National League West. — No one else in the division has significantly upgraded in the offseason: The Padres stink …
