Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Jacque Jones, Minnesota Twins agree to minor league deal — The Minnesota Twins have reached agreement with outfielder Jacque Jones on a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. — Jones, 34, broke into professional ball with Minnesota in 1996 as a second-round draft pick out of USC.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Twins Sign Jacque Jones — The Twins signed Jacque Jones to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. Jones, 35 in April, sat out last season after hitting poorly in 2008. He hit one homer and posted a .147/.239/.207 line for the Tigers and Marlins that year.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Hernandez tutoring Murphy at first base — Eleven-time Gold Glove winner imparting defensive wisdom — NEW YORK — Without spoken acknowledgment of having done so, the Mets bid farewell to Carlos Delgado and, in so doing, they committed to Daniel Murphy.
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Associated Press:
Keith Hernandez works with New York Mets' Daniel Murphy at 1B — NEW YORK — Keith Hernandez has a new task for the New York Mets, moving down from the broadcast booth to give Daniel Murphy lessons at first base. — Murphy started last season in left field and had never played …
George A. King III / New York Post:
Cashman: No new pacts for big three — When Brian Cashman looks at Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Joe Girardi, the Yankees' GM paints his shortstop, closer and manager with the same brush. — And with spring training opening next week in Tampa, Cashman has no plans to stray from his plan of not negotiating with them.
Discussion:
Rivalry Central, The iYankees Blog, ESPN, Jorge Says No!, Circling The Bases, Zell's Pinstripe Blog and Fanhouse MLB Blog
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
Mets' Pelfrey drops weight, not expectations — One week until Fat Tuesday, but Mike Pelfrey won't be participating. — The Mets pitcher is prepared to arrive in camp next week some 25 pounds lighter than last season and believes that will propel him to new heights after a disappointing 2009.
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Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Webb back where he belongs — on a mound — Ace throws from bump for first time since August — PHOENIX — D-backs ace Brandon Webb threw off a mound on Tuesday for the first time since having surgery on his right shoulder in August. — “[It] went good,” Webb told MLB.com.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals ‘aggressively pursuing’ Wang — As Spring Training nears, Washington seeking another starter — WASHINGTON — The Nationals are “aggressively pursuing” free-agent right-hander Chien-Ming Wang, according to a baseball source. It's not certain whether Washington has formally extended an offer just yet.
Morgan Campbell / Toronto Star:
Fitness might help Romero ace test — With lactic acid searing his legs, a heart rate-monitor recording his progress, and no end in sight to the interval workout, Blue Jays pitcher Ricky Romero gripped the handles of the exercise bike and kept pumping the pedals.
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Adam Rubin / Surfing The Mets:
Pagan settles, avoid arbitration — Angel Pagan has settled on a $1.45 million contract for 2010. That leaves the Mets with no more arbitration-eligible players. Pagan had filed arbitration for $1.8 million, with the Mets countering at $1.275 million.
Bernardo Fallas / Houston Chronicle:
Astros express interest in bringing back Taveras — The Astros have expressed interest in outfielder Willy Taveras, who was released by the Oakland A's. — Astros assistant general manager David Gottfried contacted Taveras' agent, Barry Praver, soon after Taveras' release Tuesday.
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
ESPN:
The five best rotations in baseball — From the mailbag: … A: Matt: Hmmmmm ... I'll give it a shot. And keep in mind we're talking about pitchers No. 1 through No. 5, not just the top one or two, in which case my vote probably would go to the Mariners (with Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee) …
