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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:
Bats, NoMaas.org, Mike Silva's …, Bombers Beat, MLB Rumors, WasWatching.com, Circling The Bases, Fanhouse MLB Blog and Projo Sox Blog
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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 …
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Buzz: Mets offer to Molina, & Why He's in SF — In talking with a few people around baseball, it sounds to me like Bengie Molina always wanted to return to the Giants, or are at least he wanted play with a team on the West Coast. Also, as the off season moved on, Molina became more and more skeptical of playing in New York.
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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.
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.
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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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.
Fox Sports:
Lincecum's arbitration demands leave Giants with tough decision — Jon Paul Morosi is a national MLB writer for FOXSports.com. He previously covered baseball for the Detroit Free Press and Seattle Post-Intelligencer. He began his journalism career at the Bay City Times in his native Michigan.
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Bob Keisser / Long Beach Press-Telegram:
Developing Story — Former Poly star and big leaguer Gwynn embraces new role — The path to being director of player personnel for a Major League Baseball club often starts in a cold, drafty ballpark. — Like Blair Field, with its chilly ocean breezes and occasional fog.
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
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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Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Sox agree to terms with Papelbon, Ramirez, Delcarmen — There will be no arbitration showdown between Jonathan Papelbon and the Red Sox. — The Red Sox closer and the club came to terms on a one-year deal this afternoon, according to multiple reports. The Globe's Tony Massarotti confirmed …
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