Top News:
New York Post:
Lotta loot for guy with lotta — Jason Bay still has to pass a physical (no sure thing). He still has to pass a stink test that he actually wants to be a Met (no sure thing). And he still has to pass through several hundred games as a two-way player (no sure thing).
Discussion:
Chicago Breaking Sports, MLB Rumors, The Daily Fix, SULLY BASEBALL, Circling The Bases and Sports Illustrated
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Mike Leach / Yahoo! Sports:
Bumbling Mets toss money into the Bay — Here the New York Mets go again, throwing money at a big-name free agent whom they misguidedly convince themselves will solve their troubles. The Mets' issues aren't skin deep. They penetrate the dermis, plunge deep into the organizational body …
Discussion:
ESPN, Mike Silva's …, Baseball Crank, Faith and Fear in Flushing, Amazin' Avenue and It's About The Money
Sports Illustrated:
Jeff Pearlman>PEARLS OF WISDOM — Yes, Jason Bay is going to be big in New York — a big bust, that is … The statement came 28 years ago. — In the winter of 1981-82, the New York Mets were Big Apple nobodies — a star-less, charisma-less franchise coming off of a miserable 41-62 strike-shortened season.
Buster Olney / ESPN:
With Bay signed, Adrian Gonzalez Sweepstakes begin — The Padres have had preliminary talks about a possible contract extension for Adrian Gonzalez, who has two more years on his current deal. But it would appear to be very, very unlikely for the Padres to sign Gonzalez beyond 2011, given his potential market stature.
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Bay comes to terms with the Mets — Four-year agreement is pending a physical — The relationship between Jason Bay and the Red Sox, one that began with seconds to go until the trade deadline in 2008, apparently has come to an end. News broke yesterday that Bay has agreed to a four-year deal …
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:Losing Bay will hurt a little less in June
Discussion:
Boston Red Sox Blog, Over the Monster, Hot Stove Blog, Fenway West, Beyond the Box Score and New York Post
Fox Sports:
Sources: Holliday sets price point for contract talks — Free agent outfielder Matt Holliday is intent on signing a contract that exceeds the $18 million average salary of a four-year offer he rejected from the Rockies during the 2008 season, according to major-league sources.
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ESPN:
Sources: Cards optimistic about talks — There is increased optimism within the St. Louis Cardinals organization that the team is going to reach a deal with free-agent outfielder Matt Holliday, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney on Tuesday. — Holliday
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:Olney On Adrian, Pineiro, Holliday, Orioles
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
Gordon Edes / ESPN:Source: Boston Red Sox quietly engaged in Adrian Beltre talks
Discussion:
Boston Globe, NESN.com, Circling The Bases, The LoHud Yankees Blog, Over the Monster and Mariners blog
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Cuban pitcher wooed — With the A's poised to add their two-time All-Star back into the fold this morning, the team is now turning its attention to Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman. — Oakland is in the thick of the bidding for the left-hander, according to major-league sources …
Discussion:
SFGate, Federal Baseball, USATODAY.com Sports News, MetsBlog.com, The iYankees Blog, MLB Daily Dish and Circling The Bases
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John Frank / St. Petersburg Times:
Florida wants Grapefruit League to again rule spring training — Fans watch the Kansas City Royals play the Detroit Tigers in March 2002 at Davenport. The Royals are one of five teams that have moved their spring training to Arizona in the last decade. — TALLAHASSEE — For 100 years …
MLB.com:
Red Sox extend player development contract with Lowell Spinners through 2012 — BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox and Lowell (MA) Spinners today announced the extension of their Player Development Contract (PDC) for an additional two years. The extension keeps the Red Sox New York-Penn League Short-Season Single …
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Ed Price / Fanhouse MLB Blog:No Rival to Red Sox in 2000s
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, It's About The Money, Sliding Into Home, A Die Hard Yankees Fan and The Yankee Universe
Fox Sports:
McGwire doesn't make the cut, but nine others do — Nine. I can't believe I checked off nine players on my Hall of Fame ballot — and if I had voted for Mark McGwire, I would have reached the maximum 10 allowed. — Before I had a ballot, my definition of a Hall of Famer was strict …
Miked Up:
Snowed In — So Monday morning I hopped in the ol' Vista Cruiser with the family for what was supposed to be a fun-filled afternoon hop across the border to Buffalo, the intent being to hit the brand-spanking-new P.F. Chang's for lunch, pick up “Just Dance” for the Wii for the girlies and grab …
ESPN:
Texas Tech Red Raiders fire Mike Leach … LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech fired coach Mike Leach on Wednesday, just two days after he was suspended by the school as it investigated his treatment of a player with a concussion. — The school handed a termination letter to Leach's attorney …
