Top News:
The Heater:
Report of Carl Crawford wanting out of Tampa Bay is false — With trade rumors already circulating about All-Star leftfielder Carl Crawford, now there's an apparently false, unattributed report from the NY Baseball Digest that suggests Crawford wants out of Tampa Bay.
RELATED:
Frank Russo / Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest:
Report: Crawford Wants Out Of Tampa — It appears that Carl Crawford's days in a Tampa Bay uniform could be numbered. We spoke with someone with knowledge of the situation on Friday who told us that Crawford is “livid” over management's decision to pick up his 2010 club option …
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Chicago Cubs in the hunt for Curtis Granderson — Club has prospects to pry center fielder away from cash-deprived Detroit Tigers — Along with the Yankees and the Angels, sources say the Cubs plan an aggressive push to land Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson.
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Matt Pignataro / Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog:
Rumor Mill: F-Mart for Granderson? — According to multiple reports, the Tigers are looking to cut payroll this off season and could possibly trade OF Curtis Granderson, who will earn $26 million over the next three seasons. — The Mets appear to be interested in Granderson, according to reports …
Discussion:
Mets Fever
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets will be serious bidders for Lackey — The Mets intend to be among the serious bidders for righthander John Lackey when baseball's free agents finally hit the open market next Friday at 12:01 a.m. — Photo credit: Getty Images | John Lackey #41 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim reacts …
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New York Post:
Alfonzo yearns for one more Amazin' shot — Chasing a dream is what baseball is all about. The years go by, the body and the work place change, but the mind remains focused on the dream. Edgardo Alfonzo turned 36 this past week. He is three days younger than Johnny
Discussion:
CitiField of Dreams, 24 Hours From Suicide, Mets Today, Studious Metsimus, Circling The Bases and MetsBlog.com
Wayne Coffey / NY Daily News:
Twenty-five years after his phenomenal rookie season, Dwight Gooden takes aim at his demons — Nobody hangs up Ks for Dwight Gooden anymore. A mural of him - in mid-windup - no longer occupies the whole side of a building in Times Square. — More than half his life has passed since …
NY Daily News:
Umpire John Hirschbeck forgives Robbie Alomar, but will Hall of Fame voters forget? — With the release of the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee ballots about to renew the debate on such emotion-inspiring figures as former players union chief Marvin Miller and Billy Martin, among others …
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Torre was rooting for Yanks in World Series — Dodgers' manager excited familiar faces won Fall Classic — NEW YORK — Joe Torre knew he was probably supposed to be pulling for the Phillies in the World Series. But in the end, he wound up cheering just as hard as ever for Joe Girardi and the Yankees.
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Hideki Matsui would be ‘disappointed’ if he doesn't return to Yankees next year — Hideki Matsui says his “feelings are still with the Yankees” but he doesn't know whether the Bombers will re-sign him. — And, Matsui acknowledged, it would be disappointing if he did not play an eighth season in pinstripes.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
RELATED:
NY Daily News:
Scandal-tainted former Mets general manager, ESPN analyst Steve Phillips faces bleak job prospects — Would you hire Steve Phillips? — The question was put to a network sports television executive in a position to do just that. — Phillips, who climbed the ladder into ESPN's …
Discussion:
Mike Silva's …
Alex Speier / WEEI:
THE PITCH: THE CASE JASON BAY'S AGENT IS MAKING TO MLB TEAMS — Jason Bay's agent did not attend the GM Meetings in Chicago this week. No need. — Joe Urbon, who is the free-agent outfielder's representative with CAA, had already had enough constructive conversations with major-league clubs …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Los Angeles Times:
New Cardinal rule: Stanford has better players than USC … Didn't they used to refer to that around here as the Hackett Years? — CARROLL SAYS he didn't discuss with Coach Jim Harbaugh at midfield after the game Stanford's attempt to go for two points after already scoring 48.
