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Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Steve Trachsel feels vindicated for giving up Mark McGwire's No. 62 — GREENWICH, Conn. - For more than 11 years, Steve Trachsel has lived on the wrong side of history, having served up Mark McGwire's 62nd home run. Of course, the former Mets' right-hander (a Cub at the time) …
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Associated Press:
Mark McGwire comes clean, admits steroids use — NEW YORK — Mark McGwire finally came clean Monday, admitting he used steroids when he broke baseball's home run record in 1998. — McGwire said in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Monday that he used steroids on and off for nearly a decade.
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Mike Fish / MLB:
Mark McGwire was named in FBI steroid probe in '93 — Greg Stejskal didn't need Mark McGwire coming clean Monday about his nearly decade-long steroid usage to know the real story. Stejskal, a retired FBI agent, uncovered the details of McGwire's doping regimen from informants almost two decades ago and …
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
The How-To of an Admission in the Steroid Era — The strategy that Mark McGwire used on Monday to lay out his admission to using steroids demonstrated that lessons were learned from other baseball stars who preceded him in making mea culpa about their drug use.
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Ron Kroichick / San Francisco Chronicle:Maris' son praises Mac, backs dad
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Bob Allen / Associated Press:
McLane enters into negotiations for sale of Astros — HOUSTON — Eyewitness Sports has learned that Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane could be on the verge of selling the team. — [SPORTS BLOG: Read the latest from the Eyewitness Sports team] — This past weekend …
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Houston Chronicle:
Group interested in buying Astros from McLane — Owner has exclusive window with group including Schiller — Astros owner Drayton McLane has granted exclusive negotiating rights to purchase the team to a group that includes former United States Olympic Committee chief Harvey Schiller and an unidentified New York investment banker.
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
Suitor approaches McLane about buying club — Owner maintains that sale of Astros is not imminent — HOUSTON — Astros owner Drayton McLane said on Monday he has entered into an exclusive 30-day negotiating window with a New York investment banking company interested in purchasing the franchise he has owned since 1993.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Sheets' cost tempers Cubs' interest — Club targeting right-handed relief at back of bullpen — CHICAGO — The Cubs will be among the teams watching Ben Sheets, but the right-hander's reported contract demands do not appear to fit into their budget. — Sheets, 31, who missed …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Chicago Cubs have eyes on free-agent pitcher Ben Sheets — The Cubs plan to make a run at free-agent pitcher Ben Sheets, who will work out for teams later this month. — General manager Jim Hendry declined to comment, but he spoke to Sheets' agent at the winter meetings in Indianapolis …
New York Post:
Yank Signings and Damon Update — The Yankees have signed lefty reliever Royce Ring, and outfielders Reid Gorecki and David Winfree to minor-league contracts, the Post has learned. Meanwhile, their chances to re-sign Johnny Damon remained remote. — The Yankees are telling agents …
Matt Eddy / Baseball America:
Minor League Transactions — The transactions update you've been clamoring for is here . . . in part. This installment takes us up through the end of 2009. We'll get caught up next week. — Bear in mind that these transactions updates come directly from the horse's mouth.
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Howard Megdal / MLB Rumors:
Blue Jays, Mets Interested In Delgado — AOL Fanhouse's Ed Price tweets, the Mets have seen Carlos Delgado in Puerto Rico twice, and plan to see him once more. Price adds that Delgado “is not moving well”. Price adds that the Blue Jays, Delgado's first team, might be a “more likely landing spot.”
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Pirates Add Bass, Carlin, Myrow — The Pirates reached agreements with pitcher Brian Bass, catcher Luke Carlin, and outfielder Bryan Myrow on minor league deals, according to a team press release. — Bass, 28, posted a 4.90 ERA, 5.6 K/9, and 4.6 BB/9 in 86.3 relief innings last year.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Royals Considering Gomes, Thames — The Royals are looking to add a power hitter, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The bat would slot into right field or the DH spot, depending on the health of Jose Guillen. Morosi names Jonny Gomes and Marcus Thames as two players of interest who could fit into Dayton Moore's limited budget.
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Selig Says Steroid Era Is Basically Over — Over Bud Selig's 17-year tenure as the head of Major League Baseball, he has made peace with the players union, internationalized the game, introduced interleague play and overseen a solid growth in team revenue. — But despite all these accomplishments …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats were in Chapman race until end — Kasten remains excited, despite missing out on Cuban — WASHINGTON — The Nationals tried hard to acquire left-hander Aroldis Chapman until Saturday night, when Chapman decided to sign a six-year, $30 million deal with the Reds.
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