Top News:
New York Post:
Damon not coming back to Yankees — TAMPA — There won't be a Johnny Damon II. — According to Damon, he isn't returning to the Yankees as a free agent. — “We both are looking at other options now,” Damon told The Post Saturday and called it “unfortunate.” — According to GM Brian Cashman, Damon contacted the club.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, New Jersey Online, HardballTalk and It's About The Money
RELATED:
Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Pirates To Acquire A.J. Burnett — After more than a week of back-and-forth discussion, the Yankees and Pirates agreed on a deal today that will send A.J. Burnett to Pittsburgh. The deal allows the Bombers to unload $13MM of the $33MM still owed to the veteran pitcher over the next two years.
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Source: Yanks expect to ink Raul Ibanez … With A.J. Burnett headed to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the New York Yankees next expect to sign Raul Ibanez as a left-handed designated hitter and Eric Chavez as a backup infielder, according to an official with direct knowledge of the team's plans.
Discussion:
MLB.com, Pinstripe Alley, New Jersey Online, The Captain's Blog and It's About The Money
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sources: A.J. Burnett trade close
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Bucs Dugout, Bless You Boys and MLB Daily Dish
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Francona still feels sting of fall — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — That was Part 1 of the pain. — Next came the owners' vehement denial of responsibility for the leaks. Francona was left to wonder if they had missed the point.
Discussion:
Associated Press and Surviving Grady
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Tim Wakefield announces his retirement
Discussion:
Bats, The Big Lead and Surviving Grady
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Wakefield to announce retirement tonight
Discussion:
Boston Globe, WEEI, FanGraphs Baseball and the joy of sox
Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:
Tim Wakefield decides to retire
Discussion:
Boston Globe and baseballmusings.com
Michael Baron / MetsBlog.com:
50 years ago today, the Mets opened their 1st camp — On this date in 1962, the Mets opened their first Spring Training as the original pitchers and catchers worked out for the first time in St. Petersburg, Florida. — The Mets went 40-120 and 60 1/2 games out of first place in their inaugural season of 1962.
RELATED:
Mark Herrmann / Newsday:
Fifty years ago, it all began for the Mets — This is not going to be so bad. — That, more or less, was the thought going through the mind of every player on the expansion New York Mets when they ran onto the field in St. Petersburg for their first workout 50 years ago Sunday.
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
After gauging his trade value, Cubs seem ready to make Matt Garza a long-term investment — Cubs starting pitcher Matt Garza works in the second inning as the Chicago Cubs take on the Florida Marlins Thursday July 14, 2011 at Wrigley Field. Tom Cruze~Sun-Times
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs should count on accountability from new regime — MESA, Ariz. — Among the pitchers and catchers reporting for spring training Saturday for the Cubs, you won't find any C.J. Wilsons, Mark Buehrles or any other big-ticket free agents. — Or Carlos Zambrano, for that matter.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yanks agree to Minors deal with Rapada — TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees have agreed with left-handed reliever Clay Rapada on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. — Rapada, 30, will step into the competition for a roster spot as a lefty specialist after 36-year-old Hideki Okajima …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Johan Santana throws 25 pitches during bullpen session; NY Mets pitcher says ‘I was able to throw all my pitches’ — Santana's first work from mound since October — NY Mets pitcher Johan Santana throws live off the mound Friday in Port St. Lucie. — PORT ST. LUCIE - Last year, it was Carlos Beltran's knees.
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online, New York Times and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Mets' Santana ‘felt good’ after mound session
Discussion:
New York Post, New Jersey Online and HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Royals agree with Eric Hosmer — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Royals agreed to contracts with first baseman Eric Hosmer, third baseman Mike Moustakas, outfielder Lorenzo Cain and right-hander Luis Mendoza Saturday, two days before pitchers and catchers are due to report to spring training.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
La Russa to assist Leyland at Tigers camp — JUPITER, Fla. — Though he won't be leading the Cardinals through their spring workouts for the first time in 17 years, former manager Tony La Russa is not going to be entirely absent from the Spring Training scene.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and Yahoo! Sports
