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(2 of 2) — “It's fun to see him out there. He looked good. He looked healthy, and that's the big thing.” — Sheets started the 2008 All-Star Game for the National League, which marked the first time for a Brewer to do so. He also got the nod on Opening Day that season, earning the win against the Chicago Cubs.
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Buzz: Mets prefer Joel Pineiro to Ben Sheets — Free-agent RHP Ben Sheets pitched for interested teams yesterday in Louisiana. — According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Mets and Phillies were in attendance. — To see video of his audition, as well as a one-on-one interview with Sheets …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Circling The Bases, The Real Dirty Mets Blog, MLB Rumors and Sons of Steve Garvey
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Johnny Damon running out of options — Slowly but surely, one closed-out roster at a time, Johnny Damon's horizons keep shrinking. On Tuesday, he found himself squeezed out from the Giants, who signed Bengie Molina and have officially exhausted their off-season treasury.
Discussion:
NoMaas.org, Bombers Beat, MLB Rumors, Mike Silva's …, Fanhouse MLB Blog, WasWatching.com and Circling The Bases
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MLB.com:
Bauman: Yankees appear stronger — Impressive offseason makes Bombers team to beat in AL — One item that must be monitored each winter is essentially: How did the big guys do? — That is big as in “the big winners,” and/or “the big spenders.” Now that the New York Yankees …
KPIX-TV:
Molina Signing Deal To Stay With SF Giants — SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ― In a surprising twist, Bengie Molina has agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million contract to stay with the San Francisco Giants, CBS 5 has learned. — Molina's family on Tuesday confirmed the deal that keeps …
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David Waldstein / New York Times:
Molina Rebuffs Mets to Re-Sign With Giants — The Mets spent much of the off-season trying to persuade Bengie Molina to become their starting catcher, and they were relatively confident they could entice him to accept a one-year deal with a vesting option for a second season.
Fred Mitchell / Chicago Breaking Sports:
Fisk rips McGwire, calls steroids claim ‘a crock’ — Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk blasted Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and other alleged or admitted steroid abusers Tuesday, calling McGwire's claim that steroids did not help him hit more home runs “a crock.”
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Joe Posnanski:
Iron Fisk — “But this is the point I want to make: When you talk about steroids and you talk about what it means to the game, the three greatest home run hitters of all time—Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth and Willie Mays, right? When they were 39 years old, how many home runs do you think they averaged?
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Closer Eric Gagne has tryout with Phillies — The Phillies' search for bullpen depth may take an interesting turn. — Former All-Star closer Eric Gagne told a French Canadian radio station that he has a tryout with the Phillies this afternoon in Arizona.
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Papelbon not heading to a hearing — Jonathan Papelbon has a one-year deal in place with the Red Sox that would be in the neighborhood of $9 million. (Update: The deal is for $9.35 million, with Papelbon getting a $50,000 bonus for 60 games finishes — he finished 59 in 2009.)
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Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Andre Ethier and Jonathan Broxton agree to two-year contracts with Dodgers — Outfielder and closer get two-year deals from the club. Catcher Russell Martin, first baseman James Loney and pitchers George Sherrill and Hong-Chih Kuo sign for one year. — Jonathan Broxton, left …
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Landon Evanson / Winona Daily News:
Gardenhire believes gap between Twins and Yankees is closing — For years, it has been almost universally accepted that baseball's small-market teams can't compete with the high-paying Yankees and Red Sox. — The past eight years, though, indicate that no one bothered to explain that scenario to the Minnesota Twins.
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Reed, Register sign Minors deals — Jays add organizational depth heading into Spring Training — TORONTO — The Blue Jays added more organizational depth on Tuesday, signing outfielder Jeremy Reed and right-hander Steve Register to Minor League contracts that include invitations to attend Spring Training with the big league club.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
Fox Sports:
Sources: Rockies lock in relievers Street, Betancourt — Tracy Ringolsby is a Hall of Fame baseball writer. He is in his 34th year covering Major League Baseball, is a co-founder of Baseball America, and appears on pre- and postgame shows for Colorado Rockies games on FSN Rocky Mountain. — DENVER
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