Top News:
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.
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MLB.com:
Cashen, Gooden, Johnson and Strawberry to be inducted into Mets Hall of Fame on Sunday, August 1 — The New York Mets today announced that Frank Cashen, general manager of the 1986 World Champion Mets, Dwight Gooden, the 1985 National League Cy Young Award winner, Davey Johnson …
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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Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Boston Red Sox, Jonathan Papelbon reach one-year deal … The Boston Red Sox and closer Jonathan Papelbon came to terms on a one-year contract, the team announced Tuesday night. The deal, which means the Red Sox and Papelbon will avoid arbitration for the second straight offseason …
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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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?
Discussion:
Fenway West
Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Mets Looking To Add Two More Pitchers — Metsblog's Matthew Cerrone reports that the Mets are interested in signing John Smoltz and one of either Joel Pineiro or Ben Sheets. Cerrone notes that “all three have legit interest in pitching for the Mets on short-term deals,” …
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Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Rockies add Lo Duca on a minor league deal — DENVER — Amid the wave of contract signings, the Rockies are still looking for depth at the major and minor-league levels. — As I speculated around 4 p.m. this afternoon, they Rockies have now signed sign catcher Paul Lo Duca to a minor league deal.
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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.
Sports Illustrated:
Tom Verducci TomVerducciInside Baseball Bang for the buck: The five most efficient clubs of the past decade … The Yankees left little doubt that they were the team of the last decade, but what team was the most efficient from 2000 through 2009? Did the Yankees get the most bang …
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.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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 …
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Teammates laud Felix's new deal — Johnson calls ace's potential extension ‘incredible news’ — Rob Johnson, who was Felix Hernandez's personal catcher for most of last season, said an impending contract extension for the Mariners ace right-hander is “incredible news” and that it removes a potential distraction going forward.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Tracy Ringolsby / Inside the Colorado Rockies:
Street, Betancourt sign multiyear deals — The Rockies agreed to multiyear contracts with relief pitchers Huston Street and Rafael Betancourt, FOXsports.com has learned, giving the Rockies 11 players signed to contracts that tie them to the Rockies through at least 2011.
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