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4:00 PM ET, February 2, 2011

Ballbug

 Top News: 
New York Times:
Madoff Had Wide Role in Mets' Finances  —  When Fred Wilpon's son Jeff was married at Fresh Meadow Country Club on Long Island, Bernard L. Madoff and his wife were there.  When Mr. Madoff's son Mark was married at the same country club, Mr. Wilpon, the principal owner of the Mets, was a guest as well.
RELATED:
Wall Street Journal:
Madoff-Hit Mets Seek Cash  —  Pummeled by the Ponzi Scheme, Baseball Team Hopes to Sell Piece by June  —  The New York Mets hope to complete the sale of up to a 25% stake by the end of June, according to a person involved with the planned transaction, as the baseball team seeks funds …
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Source: New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon, CEO Jeff Wilpon …
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays close to deal with Felipe Lopez  —  ST. PETERSBURG — As the Rays decide whom to take off their 40-man roster to make room for Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez, they are set to add veteran middle infielder Felipe Lopez on a minor-league deal, possibly today.
Discussion: Projo Sox Blog, Rays Index and NESN.com
RELATED:
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Joe Maddon on The Big Show: Why Manny Ramirez will fit with the Rays …
Discussion: joy of sox
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers counting on Schlereth against lefties  —  DETROIT — The Tigers have been consistent in their stance that Phil Coke will be in their rotation.  They've also been consistent in their stance that they don't need to make a big signing to replace him as the primary left-hander in their bullpen.
Discussion: HardballTalk and TigerBlog
RELATED:
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Indians in talks with righty Bonderman
Discussion: Fanhouse MLB Blog and MLB Rumors
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Acquire Justin Maxwell  —  The Yankees announced that they have acquired Justin Maxwell from the Nationals for minor league right-hander Adam Olbrychowski.  When Washington had to clear roster space last week, they designated Maxwell for assignment.
John Shea / SFGate:
Sweet Lou joining the champs  —  John Shea on a valuable pickup by the Giants . . .  The baseball world loves Lou Piniella.  Players, coaches, fans, scribes.  As a manager of five teams, including the 1990 Reds, who swept the A's in the World Series, Piniella has had a passion for the game at every level.
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Paul Farhi / Washington Post:
Redskins owner Dan Snyder seeks dismissal of City Paper writer  —  There's no question Redskins owner Dan Snyder had a few problems with a cover story about him in Washington's City Paper in November.  —  At the moment, in fact, Snyder is fighting mad.  —  Snyder has objected to the article …
Sports Illustrated:
In period of parity, not even a high payroll guarantees a playoff berth … The conventional wisdom is that the Phillies and Red Sox have turned themselves into prohibitive favorites with their great winters.  But based on recent history, the conventional wisdom is worth even less more than an obstructed-view bleacher seat.
Discussion: HardballTalk and Lone Star Ball
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Video: Piazza & Leiter, playing catch, talking catching  —  Mike Piazza joined Al Leiter for a demonstration on how to properly play catcher in all situations, last night on MLB Hot Stove on the MLB Network:  —  This video was awesome.  I got chills simply watching these guys play catch …
Tim Kurkjian / MLB:
Pitchers' extended workloads can be a major concern  —  In past 10 years, most teams that advanced to Series had ERA increase the next season  —  With spring training less than two weeks away, there is every reason to believe that the Texas Rangers will win their division again …
Discussion: baseballmusings.com and ESPN
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Inbox: Is Moreland ready for breakthrough year?  —  It would seem to me that the media doesn't think Mitch Moreland is a solid first baseman, yet as an avid Rangers fan and longtime Little League coach, everything I see and hear about the guy shows that he's a solid, good hitter and an excellent athlete.
AdamMcCalvy / Brew Beat:
Kotsay deal close  —  The Brewers were working Tuesday to finalize a contract for veteran outfielder Mark Kotsay, who would bring another left-handed bat to a righty-heavy Milwaukee roster.  —  The pending deal was reported by FoxSports.com, which said Kotsay would get a one-year, Major League contract.
RELATED:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Brewers To Sign Mark Kotsay
Discussion: SBNation.com
 
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 More News: 
Rory Paap / Paapfly.com:
Matt Cain ignores xFIP, again and again
Discussion: FanGraphs Baseball
Associated Press:
Astros, Red Sox forced to cancel March exhibition game
Discussion: Boston Herald
Associated Press:
Storm causes Wrigley Field damage
Discussion: NotGraphs Baseball
Peter Gammons / MLB.com:
Cashman a steadying force amidst Yanks storm
Discussion: River Avenue Blues
Associated Press:
Healthy once again, Dave Roberts ready to coach
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
Inbox: What will top of batting order look like?
 Earlier Picks: 
Dan Connolly / Orioles Insider:
Orioles unlikely to make a move with Simon until Feb. 26
Discussion: HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
R.J. Anderson / Baseball Prospectus:
Use 'em or Lose 'em
Discussion: Mike Silva's …
Keith Law / ESPN:
Ranking 2011's impact prospects
Patrick Newman / FanGraphs Baseball:
New NPB Imports for 2011  —  Last November, I asked …
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish and HardballTalk
William Weinbaum / MLB:
Royals hire Willie Aikens
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Miranda Siwak / Us Weekly:
50 Cent Is ‘Going for Sole Custody’ of His Son With Daphne Joy After She Was Named in Diddy Lawsuit (Exclusive)

Jeff Conway / Forbes:
Olivia Colman Reflects On Her Beloved Career: ‘I Have Been Very Lucky’

Heidi Parker / Daily Mail:
Jennifer Aniston, 55, and Sandra Bullock, 59, are seen leaving a plastic surgery office in Connecticut that is known for facelifts and rhinoplasty

 
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