Top News:
Frankie Piliere / Fanhouse MLB Blog:
The Top 100 Prospects of 2010: 1-25 — Spring training and the 2010 regular season are right around the corner, which means it's time to take stock of the top potential future stars in the minor leagues. — Below are the first 25 players in my rankings of the top 100 prospects in baseball right now …
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Frankie Piliere / Fanhouse MLB Blog:
The Top 100 Prospects of 2010: 26-100 — Spring training and the 2010 regular season are right around the corner, which means it's time to take stock of the top potential future stars in the minor leagues. — Below are the final 75 players in my rankings of the top 100 prospects in baseball right now …
Associated Press:
New York Mets' Johan Santana to throw Tuesday to test elbow — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New York Mets ace Johan Santana is set to throw off a mound, hoping his left elbow has recovered from surgery late last season. — Santana is scheduled to pitch Tuesday during the Mets' three-day minicamp at their spring training complex.
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Adam Rubin / Surfing The Mets:
Omir the No. 1, Smoltz being wooed — Jerry Manuel suggested Omir Santos would be the favorite to be the No. 1 catcher if the Mets don't add another backstop before Opening Day. That presumes Henry Blanco as the backup and Josh Thole and Chris Coste at Triple-A Buffalo.
MLB.com:
Mark Loretta announces retirement after 15-year playing career — Former Padre returns to San Diego as Special Assistant to Baseball Operations — SAN DIEGO - Mark Loretta today announced that he has retired from playing Major League Baseball and will join the Padres front office as Special Assistant to Baseball Operations.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Bill Shaikin / LA Times Sports Blog:
Angels agree to three-year contract with Izturis (UPDATED) — The Angels just announced the signing of infielder Maicer Izturis to a three-year contract, avoiding arbitration. — UPDATED, 3:31 p.m.: The contract is worth $10 million and buys out two years of free agency.
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Angels lock up Izturis through 2012 — Extension leaves Halos with three eligible for arbitration — The Angels have signed Maicer Izturis, avoiding an arbitration hearing with the versatile infielder and locking him up for three seasons. — By extending Izturis through 2012, the Angels are buying out two years of free agency.
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Mets, A's among teams eyeing Sheets … The A's, Rangers and Mets are among teams considering free agent pitcher Ben Sheets, who raised his value with what was described by several scouts as an excellent showcase last week in Monroe, La. — The A's tried this winter for Marco Scutaro …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Breaking Sports:
Thome not returning to White Sox — Manager Ozzie Guillen said he informed free agent slugger Jim Thome Sunday night that he wouldn't be returning to the White Sox. — “It's all about at-bats, and it was going to be hard to get him at-bats,” Guillen said Monday night after returning to Miami.
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Nationals To Sign Tyler Walker, Chuck James — The Nationals reached an agreement with reliever Tyler Walker, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The deal is pending a physical. They also added lefty Chuck James on a minor league deal. — Walker, 34 in May, posted a 3.06 ERA, 6.9 K/9 …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, Nationals Farm Authority, Nats320, MetsBlog.com and Federal Baseball
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Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Pinch hitting: Lucas Vanderwarker — Next up in the Pinch Hitters series is Lucas Vanderwarker, who crunched some numbers to write about Derek Jeter's chances of breaking Pete Rose's all-time hits record. — Lucas grew up in upstate New York, and his grandfather played …
Chicago Breaking Sports:
Ernie Banks calls on Sammy Sosa to come clean — Sammy Sosa (left) should address allegations that he used steroids, Ernie Banks says. (Nancy Stone/Tribune) — Ernie Banks celebrates another birthday Sunday, and Mr. Cub insists that “at 79, everything is fine.”
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Nutting: Pirates' payroll to rise as roster matures — Says $75M range of Brewers, Reds is ‘where Pittsburgh needs to be’ — SEVEN SPRINGS, Pa. — A year ago, at the opening of the Pirates' Winter Caravan promotional tour here, the franchise's controlling owner, Bob Nutting …
Discussion:
THE BOOK, Mike Scioscia's tragic illness, Bucs Dugout, MLB Rumors and Where Have You Gone …
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Inbox: What's the deal with McGowan? — Beat reporter Jordan Bastian answers fans' questions — I have been thinking lately about the Blue Jays' starting rotation for next year. When I start to think of Dustin McGowan, though, I don't know what to believe. What have the Jays said?
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
