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 …
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
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yanks introduce Granderson to big stage — Club welcomes outfielder in news conference at Stadium — NEW YORK — It didn't take Curtis Granderson long to realize how much more intense things might be at his new place of business. One glance at his overflowing cell phone was enough to prove that point.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Near Deal With Nick Johnson — 6:13pm: The deal is now near completion, says Davidoff. Pending a physical, Johnson will agree to a one-year deal with the Yankees worth about $5.5MM. — 5:14pm: Newsday's Ken Davidoff agrees that the Yankees and Johnson are engaged in …
Buster Olney / MLB:
2009 Free agents: Sources say New York Yankees considering Nick Johnson as re-signing Johnny Damon grows unlikely … With the New York Yankees' negotiations with Johnny Damon seemingly at a standstill as of Wednesday evening, the team is pursuing negotiations with free agent Nick Johnson …
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.
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MLB.com:
Mets sign RHP Ryota Igarashi — The New York Mets today announced that they signed righthanded pitcher Ryota Igarashi to a two-year contract. — Igarashi, 30, was 47-29 with 54 saves and a 3.25 ERA in 507 games for the Yakult Swallows of the Japanese Central League from 1999-2009.
Discussion:
The Real Dirty Mets Blog
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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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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 …
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Atkins agrees to $4.5 million deal with Orioles with club option — DENVER — Garrett Atkins found an good place to steer his career back on track, signing a one-year, $4-million deal with the Baltimore Orioles that includes an $8.5 club option with a $500,000 buyout.
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Jorge Arangure Jr / ESPN:
Aroldis Chapman awaits offers — On the surface, Aroldis Chapman's 30-minute workout on Tuesday for about 15 teams appeared to have accomplished very little. Because of bad weather, the workout took place indoors at the Baseball USA complex in Houston. Chapman wore sneakers for his bullpen session.
Discussion:
Mack's Mets, The iYankees Blog, Bronx Baseball Daily, MetsBlog.com and Circling The Bases
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Mike Axisa / River Avenue Blues:Yanks trying to set up a private workout for Chapman
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
The Second Base Glut — Last year, bad defensive outfielders got a rude awakening in free agency, as Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, and Bobby Abreu learned first hand that teams were beginning to value defense at positions besides catcher and shortstop. There were too many lumbering sluggers available …
Discussion:
Brew Beat, Jorge Says No!, The Real Dirty Mets Blog, Bottom9 Baseball and Al's Ramblings
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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MLB.com:
Bucs GM discusses pitching, prospects and more — General manager Neal Huntington participated in an exclusive online chat with fans on Thursday. During the chat, Huntington answered questions about the starting rotation and bullpen, Pittsburgh's top prospects, his decision-making process and more.
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 …
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.
