Top News:
Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
Charlie Samuels' Relationships with K-Rod, Piazza, Francoeur — According to the Daily News, an investigation conducted against Mets' equipment manager Charlie Samuels revealed he took a $50,000 tip from former Met Jeff Francoeur before he left via trade to the Texas Rangers.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and The Mets Police
RELATED:
NY Daily News:
Gambling probe reveals Charlie Samuels' relationship to Francisco Rodriguez, Jeff Francoeur, others — Charlie Samuels, the Mets clubhouse manager ensnared in an investigation into mobbed-up gambling, has been a trusted confidant and friend to scores of Mets players over the years …
Discussion:
ESPN
New York Times:
Before Suspension, Mets' Rodriguez Moved in With Clubhouse Manager — Shortly after a judge in Queens ordered Francisco Rodriguez to stay away from his girlfriend because he had an altercation with her father at Citi Field in August, Rodriguez moved in with someone many Mets players have grown …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
New York Post:
Post-career deal would solve Yankees-Jeter contract issue — Tweet — Hal Steinbrenner talks publicly about as often as Marcel Marceau. Casey Close is a more garrulous fellow, but when it comes to offering specifics about one of his client's contract negotiations …
Discussion:
Subway Squawkers, Bronx Baseball Daily, The Sommer Frieze and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Will Yanks try to squeeze Jeter? — Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005. He appears weekly on MLB on FOX. Follow him on Twitter. — I love when the New York Yankees start talking about how they're “running a business,” …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Derek Jeter, Cliff Lee near free agency — NEW YORK — When the clock strikes midnight late Saturday night, Derek Jeter will turn into a free agent. — Barring a last minute agreement, the 36-year-old Jeter will enter fee agency for the first time in his career and will be able to negotiate with any of the major league teams.
Discussion:
NESN.com
Colin Kelly / CBS New York:
Sweeny Says: A Decade With Derek
Discussion:
My Pinstripes and Subway Squawkers
David Waldstein / Bats:
Mets and Takahashi Part Ways — Hisanori Takahashi's time with the Mets is over after one successful season, and he will seek another team in free agency beginning Saturday. — The Mets and Takahashi's agent, Arn Tellem, were expected to announce later Friday that they could not come …
Discussion:
ESPN, HardballTalk, Fanhouse MLB Blog, MLB Rumors and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
RELATED:
David Waldstein / Bats:
Time Running Out for Mets on Takahashi
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, MetsBlog.com, HardballTalk, New York Mets Fan Blog and Mets Fever
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Jesus Montero will get chance to win starting catching job, Jorge Posada will slide in as Yankees DH — Back in July, the Yankees were willing to deal Jesus Montero for Cliff Lee. When the 2011 season starts, Montero could be catching Lee in the Bronx. — The consensus among …
RELATED:
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
The future may be only a few months away
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Pinstripe Alley and The Sommer Frieze
Jordanbastianmlb / Major League Bastian:
Anthopoulos gets creative — This post was brought to you by the letter “B”... ... as in “Type B.” — On Thursday night, Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos swung a pretty creative trade. For an hour and a half, catcher Miguel Olivo was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Lookout Landing, MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Nathan Rode / Baseball America:
Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe)
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Denver Post and MLB Rumors
Trsullivan / Postcards from Elysian Fields:
German, Mathis, McCarthy outrighted off the roster — Esteban German, pitcher Doug Mathis and pitcher Brandon McCarthy have all been out-righted off the 40-man roster. All are taking their free agency. Also pitcher Scott Feldman has undergone right knee surgery and will be limited at the beginning of Spring Training.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, Baseball Time in Arlington and MLB Rumors
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Bidding For Iwakuma Closes, Mariners The Favorite? — NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman passes along a report saying that the bidding has closed for Japanese righty Hisashi Iwakuma (via Twitter), and a report from Sports Hochi (article in Japanese) indicates that the Mariners appear to be the favorite to land him.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, U.S.S. Mariner and Lookout Landing
Cincinnati.com:
Sparky Anderson: Did you know? — Here are some little-known facts and stories about the life and times of Reds great Sparky Anderson: — Origin Of The Nickname — In 1953, George Lee Anderson began his minor league career in Class C ball at Santa Barbara, Calif. …
Discussion:
Dayton Daily News, ESPN, Detroit Free Press, HardballTalk and SportsJustice
RELATED:
Bailey Stephens / MLB.com:
Astros hire Barnett as new hitting coach — Team's Minors hitting coordinator to replace Bagwell in 2011 — The Astros have hired Mike Barnett as their new hitting coach, the club announced on Friday. — Barnett, who will take the place of Jeff Bagwell, will be a familiar face for Astros hitters …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and HardballTalk
Philly.com:
Phillies increase ticket prices — Coming off a franchise attendance record, the Phillies will be increasing ticket prizes in most areas of Citizens Bank Park for 2011 by $2 to $5. — Season ticketholders have been sent renewal invoices this week reflecting the change.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and The Good Phight
