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, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports and Chicago Breaking Sports
RELATED:
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:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Beat Of The Bronx, Bronx Baseball Daily, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre …, 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, The Sommer Frieze, Examiner, HardballTalk and River Avenue Blues
NY Daily News:
Martin Luther King III says he may join investors seeking to buy 50% of Mets but isn't leading group — Larry Meli, a television executive, downplays the involvement of Martin Luther King III (above) in the investors group, telling the Daily News: 'In his mind, he's not even the lead guy.'
Discussion:
HardballTalk
RELATED:
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
Matthew Callan / Amazin' Avenue:
The Wilpons: Are You Now or Have You Ever Been Broke?
Discussion:
New York Times and NorthJersey.com
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Report: Group including Martin Luther King Jr.'s son interested …
Discussion:
Dodgers Blog, New York Post, MLB Rumors and ESPN
Craig Schneider / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
MLK III considers buying part of Mets team
Discussion:
Bats
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).
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Capitol Avenue Club, Beyond the Box Score, FanGraphs Baseball, Bay City Ball, Pinstriped Bible …, Paapfly.com, Deadspin, Rational Pastime Blog, Crashburn Alley, Batter's Box Interactive …, Lone Star Ball, The Captain's Blog, The Big Lead, baseballmusings.com and NotGraphs Baseball
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:
Redleg Nation, It's About The Money, Red Sox Beacon, ESPN, Yankeeist, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and Al's Ramblings
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Phillies ace Halladay picks up another award, focuses on healthy season — EVEN IF THE Phillies training staff had to reinforce his groin with duct tape, Roy Halladay was going to pitch in the World Series. This city learned enough about the 2010 NL Cy Young winner during his first season …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Q&A: Charlie Manuel on the Phillies
Discussion:
The700Level.com and Philliesflow.com
NY Daily News:
Mets owners' attorneys accuse trustee of ‘leaks,’ ‘attempted character assassination’ in motion — The owners of the New York Mets are victims of “significant leaks” and “attempted character assassination” by Irving Picard, the trustee suing the Mets owners to retrieve money they might …
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
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:
HardballTalk and Sox #1 Fan dot com
Todd Zolecki / The Zo Zone:
Durbin, Polanco and Other Odds and Ends — Tonight is the Philadelphia Sportswriter Association banquet in Cherry Hill. Ruben Amaro Jr., Roy Halladay, Shane Victorino and Charlie Manuel are in attendance. The four spoke before the dinner and ceremonies.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
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
