Top News:
Lynn Zinser / New York Times:
Pettitte Retires Because of Heart, Not Arm — Andy Pettitte said his arm feels good enough to report to spring training and his body feels good enough to pitch another season for the Yankees, but he made his decision to retire when he realized his heart was not in it anymore.
Discussion:
SBNation.com
RELATED:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Discussion:
New York Times, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Sports Illustrated:
Modern era of baseball demands Cooperstown find place for Pettitte … On Friday, southpaw Andy Pettitte became the second member of the Yankees' five homegrown stars who anchored their dynasty to hang up his spikes. In 16 seasons, 13 with the Yankees, Pettitte won 240 games …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and HardballTalk
Ian O'Connor / ESPN:
Andy Pettitte turned his fire into ice — Lefty learned to control his temper, becoming one of the toughest Yankees ever — The clock was ticking, the scout for the New York Yankees was throwing everything he had at a junior college kid named Andy Pettitte, and still the team and the prospect remained a lousy 20 grand apart.
Discussion:
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre …
Ken Plutnicki / New York Times:
Best of Pettitte? Game 5 in '96 Got Ball Rolling
Best of Pettitte? Game 5 in '96 Got Ball Rolling
Discussion:
Babes Love Baseball, It's About The Money, River Avenue Blues and Replacement Level …
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Andy Pettitte prepared to announce retirement from New York Yankees …
Andy Pettitte prepared to announce retirement from New York Yankees …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and The Captain's Blog
Sports Illustrated:
Yankees face tough choices to replace Pettitte's role in rotation … If you're willing to believe that re-signing Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera were givens, the New York Yankees' primary task this offseason was shoring up their starting rotation. Though the Yankees made it all the way …
Discussion:
Pinstriped Bible …, Red Sox Monster and ESPN
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Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Source: Yankees 2B hires Scott Boras — MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico — New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano has hired Scott Boras as his agent, a source told ESPNdeportes.com. — The All-Star second baseman and Boras had a meeting Friday in San Pedro de Macoris, Cano's hometown …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and River Avenue Blues
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks back off idea of using humidor this year — During last season, the Diamondbacks kicked around the idea of installing a humidor at Chase Field, a ballpark known for being offensive - and, no, we're not referring to all the strikeouts, which seem to offend even the most casual of fans.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Fanhouse MLB Blog and SBNation.com
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
The Wilpon-Madoff court docs and what it means — The way I understand this, Wilpon and Katz say they were victims, having left $500 million on the table; while Picard is saying they withdrew profits and either knew or should have known Madoff was a scam; and so they now can either settle …
Discussion:
ESPN
RELATED:
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Sabean expects Belt to start season in Triple-A — SAN FRANCISCO — Diluting the intoxicating hype swirling around Brandon Belt, Giants general manager Brian Sabean said Thursday that he foresees the club's top prospect beginning the season at Triple-A Fresno.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, HardballTalk and Minor League Ball
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Rangers' Young talk percolating, but Rox not involved yet — The Rangers find themselves in a tough spot. Arguably the most accomplished player in team history — Michael Young — has no role. Texas is expected to explore trading Young, but as of this afternoon had not reached out to the Rockies …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, ESPN and MLB Daily Dish
Marc Carig / New Jersey Online:
Ex-Yankee Jim Leyritz to get second chance with Newark Bears — NEWARK — Former Yankees catcher Jim Leyritz is about to get a second chance. — The Newark Bears of the independent Can-Am League have agreed in principle to hire Leyritz as the team's new hitting and pitching coach, owner and CEO Tom Cetnar said last night.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and HardballTalk
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. • Less than two weeks remain before the Cardinals and three-time MVP first baseman Albert Pujols run into a deadline for the club and its iconic player to reach agreement on a contract extension. — An extension probably would make Pujols the highest-paid player in his league, if not the game.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com