Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Source: New York Yankees agree to minor league deal with pitcher Freddy Garcia — The New York Yankees have reached an agreement on a minor league contract with pitcher Freddy Garcia, a baseball source told ESPN.com. — Garcia will receive a $1.5 million base salary if he makes the big league club.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Yahoo! Sports, Bleacher Report and Chicago Breaking Sports
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Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Reach Agreement With Freddy Garcia — The Yankees have agreed to sign Freddy Garcia to a minor league contract, reports ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (Twitter link). The deal will pay Garcia $1.5MM if he makes the Major League roster, and the total value of the contract could be worth $5.1MM …
Discussion:
Beat Of The Bronx, River Avenue Blues, HardballTalk, Yankeeist and TYU
Nick Collias / MLB Rumors:
Garcia: Not Returning To Chicago — Freddy Garcia continues to indicate that he'd prefer to spend 2011 playing outside of Chicago, despite recent reports that the White Sox are still considering him. Last Wednesday, he stated his goal to pitch for the Yankees this season, while not explictly ruling out out Chicago or any other team.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, Examiner, HardballTalk, The Sommer Frieze and River Avenue Blues
Rob Neyer / ESPN:
Bo knows Amazing — As you know, I've been writing about the Wing of Amazing (italicized because it's just that awesome), with three nominations so far: Omar Vizquel, Jamie Moyer, and Jim Abbott. Additionally, a blogger nominated Billy Wagner (I'm sympathetic, but not convinced).
RELATED:
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
Rob Neyer says goodbye to ESPN — Rob Neyer has announced that after 15 years — which is about 300 in Internet years — he's leaving ESPN. Rob is going to keep writing, of course — we don't know where, but a little bird tells me that we'll hear more about that part tomorrow morning — but this is still pretty major news.
Discussion:
Red Sox Beacon, It's About The Money, Yankeeist, ESPN, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and Al's Ramblings
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
New York Mets GM doesn't see Bernie Madoff mess affecting club — New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson acknowledged Monday that he did not know the extent of the financial distress of Mets ownership when he accepted the job in October. Still, Alderson insisted …
Discussion:
Mike Silva's … and Mets Fever
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Matthew Callan / Amazin' Avenue:
The Wilpons: Are You Now or Have You Ever Been Broke?
Discussion:
New York Times and NorthJersey.com
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Isringhausen throws for Reds in Arizona — GM Jocketty unsure if club will pursue veteran reliever — CINCINNATI — Reliever Jason Isringhausen had a throwing session for the Reds on Monday, but it remains to be seen if the club will sign the right-hander. — Isringhausen threw for Reds pitching coach Bryan Price in Arizona.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Mark My Word
Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:
Sox just want Beckett to be Beckett — During each of his offseason communications with Josh Beckett [stats], Red Sox [team stats] manager Terry Francona has tried to impart a simple message to explain what he expects from the right-hander this season: — Be yourself.
Discussion:
Sox #1 Fan dot com
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
R.A. Dickey, New York Mets finalize $7.8 million, two-year deal; Mets agree with Angel Pagan — Right-hander R.A. Dickey passed a physical Monday, the final hurdle to the knuckleballer completing a two-year deal with the New York Mets that includes a 2013 option.
Discussion:
Associated Press and Mike Silva's …
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Jason Bay eyeing far better times in '11 — After signing a big-money contract last winter, Mets' LF experienced a rough season — Jason Bay has a busy agenda in front of him as he awaits the start of the New York Mets' spring training camp. In a perfect world, he will show the team …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Full Count and ESPN
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
“Humble” Ramirez arrives, “feels great” about playing for Rays — Manny Ramirez was dressed casually and looked relaxed when he arrived at Tampa airport Sunday night. — He was pleasant enough as photographer Kathleen Flynn and I approached him as he stepped off the tram after flying in from Phoenix …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, SOX & Dawgs, FenwayNationWorld and Rays Index
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Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Inbox: Bullpen, depth hot topics as camp nears — Spring Training will answer many roster inquiries for Pirates fans … Of all the non-roster players invited to Spring Training, which ones probably have the best chance of sticking with the Bucs? — Let's look at the position players first.
Simone Wilson / The Informer:
SF Giants Fans to Fly ‘BEAT LA’ Banner Over Dodger Stadium on Opening Day — Tell us, Los Angeles: Are you going to stand for this? — A group of diehard stadium-rushers up in NorCal are currently well on their way to raising $8,000 for a giant banner to fly over Dodger Stadium on March 31, April 2 and April 3.
Discussion:
The Snitch and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Craig Schneider / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
MLK III considers buying part of Mets team — Martin Luther King III invoked the spirit of his late father as he confirmed his involvement in discussions to purchase a part of the New York Mets. — In a late-night statement released to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sunday …
Discussion:
Bats, MLB Rumors and ESPN
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Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Report: Group including Martin Luther King Jr.'s son interested …
Discussion:
Dodgers Blog, New York Post and ESPN
