Top News:
George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees move closer to DH deal with Johnson — The Yankees and Nick Johnson are moving toward a one-year deal for the left-handed hitter to be the club's DH, and it could be announced Friday morning. — Asked today by The Post if there was deal to be announced, Brian Cashman said, “Not at this moment.”
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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Nick Johnson's one-year deal with New York Yankees likely spells end for Johnny Damon with Bombers — Shortly after introducing Curtis Granderson as the newest Yankee, Hal Steinbrenner said his team wasn't finished with its offseason moves. — Apparently, he wasn't kidding.
Josh Thomson / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Steinbrenner: Yankees, Damon have a “difference of opinion of what the pay is” — To quote Hal Steinbrenner specifically, he said he is “excited” about Curtis Granderson, and raved how the Yankees “all love Johnny Damon.” But when it comes down to it, the club simply has placed a different value …
New York Post:
3UP: Johnny Damon vs. Nick Johnson — I recently had a conversation with a pal of Brian Cashman and the subject of Johnny Damon came up. The pal said that all things being equal the Yanks want Damon back for a variety of reasons including a) they know he can play well in New York and under pressure …
Brian Costa / New Jersey Online:
Curtis Granderson will wear No. 14; Alex Rodriguez will not need more surgery; NY Yankees at odds with Johnny Damon over money … NEW YORK — Curtis Granderson was formally introduced as a member of the Yankees Thursday, a little more than a week after coming over in a trade from the Detroit Tigers.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Ken Bradley / Sporting News:
2009 Sporting News Pro Athlete of the Year: Mariano Rivera, Yankees closer — It was a long time coming, but Mariano Rivera finally has his fifth ring. — On a team full of superstars, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera went about his usual way in 2009, dominating opponents and helping New York claim its 27th World Series.
Discussion:
USATODAY.com Sports News
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Interview: Me and Francoeur, on Stats, Leadership & Fans — Yesterday, I had a chance to speak with Mets OF Jeff Francoeur at the SNY Studio, during which we talked about baseball statistics, his ‘approach at the plate,’ leadership and New York sports fans.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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Larry Stone / Seattle Times:
One more name linked to Mariners: Johnny Damon — Programming note: I have to get some serious work done today on an Olympics story that will run in Sunday's paper. Yes, Olympics. They're coming up rapidly, and they're practically in our backyard (Vancouver, B.C.), so it's all hands on deck.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Sports Illustrated:
Mets might have to battle ‘mystery’ team in Bay derby, plus more notes … Jason Bay reportedly has a mystery team bidding on him. But beyond the Mets, who remain keenly interested and in touch with his agent Joe Urbon, nearly all of Bay's market is remains mystery at this point.
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Crisp could fill need for Padres — Outfielder's agent has been in discussions with San Diego — SAN DIEGO — Has free-agent outfielder Coco Crisp landed squarely on the Padres' offseason radar? — Steve Comte, the agent for Crisp, said on Thursday that both sides have had discussions …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals a finalist to acquire Capps — Former Pirates closer impressed with team's recent moves — The Nationals are a finalist to acquire the services of free-agent right-hander Matt Capps, according to a baseball source. — If the Nationals sign Capps, he would serve as a late-inning reliever …
Luke Adams / MLB Rumors:
Angels Pursuing Javier Vazquez? — The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are focusing on acquiring Javier Vazquez from the Atlanta Braves, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. Stark (who credits angelswin.com's Chuck Richter with the initial story) hears from rival executives that …
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Mark Healey / Baseball Digest:
Mets/Reds Talk, Bay May Cost Six Years, More — As I Tweeted last night, Sources indicate that the New York Mets may have to guarantee as many as six years in order to land free agent Jason Bay. — Though the Daily News reported today that Mets are “don't want to bid against themselves …
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Mendoza impressing Rangers this winter — Righty keeps name in rotation mix with solid stint in Mexico — ARLINGTON — Luis Mendoza, the forgotten right-hander who has slipped to the back of the Rangers' pitching pecking order, may be starting to reassert himself down in Mexico.
Max Marchi / Hardball Times:
Catching Sabathia: Jorge's vs Jose's way — Today we are going to compare C.C. Sabathia's pitching patterns when he is caught by Jorge Posada with those when he is caught by Jose Molina. — I know, I know. It's A.J. Burnett who wasn't in the same page with Jorge, prompting manager Joe Girardi …
Discussion:
THE BOOK
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Carpenter, Taylor to return in 2010 — Play-by-play voice, sideline reporter back with network — Bob Carpenter and Debbi Taylor are back as the Nationals' play-by-play voice and sideline reporter, respectively. They both work for the Mid Atlantic Sports Network.
