Top News:
NY Daily News:
Alex Rodriguez unlikely to return to Yankees, sources say, as third baseman is dealing with new drug scandal and lengthy hip surgery rehab — Even before the latest steroid allegations surfaced, Yankee officials had already privately begun preparing for the likelihood that Rodriguez …
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HardballTalk, NESN.com, Baseball Nation, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Pinstriped Bible, CBS Chicago and WasWatching.com
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ESPN:
A-Rod not planning to retire — A message to the New York Yankees and their fans from Alex Rodriguez: I'm not going anywhere. — “Alex has no plans at all to retire,” one source with close personal ties to the embattled third baseman told ESPNNewYork.com on Thursday.
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Yahoo! Sports, HardballTalk and Riptide 2.0
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Kalish expected to miss at least six months — Here are a few items of interest: — • Was told earlier today that the recovery time for Ryan Kalish after his shoulder surgery is six months. So he might not be ready to start baseball-type activities until August.
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Full Count, Over the Monster, NESN.com and HardballTalk
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Alex Speier / Full Count:
Jason Varitek not a likely candidate to replace Gary Tuck
Jason Varitek not a likely candidate to replace Gary Tuck
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Boston Herald, NESN.com, Over the Monster and HardballTalk
Evan Drellich / MLB.com:
Kalish's shoulder surgery successful
Kalish's shoulder surgery successful
Discussion:
Boston Globe and HardballTalk
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Padres, Headley agree to $8.575M deal for '13 — SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres avoided arbitration with third baseman Chase Headley on Wednesday, agreeing to a one-year, $8.575 million deal with the 2012 Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner. — Headley, who finished fifth …
Discussion:
Baseball Nation
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John Fay / Cincinnati Reds:
Rolen Question unanswered — I'm back from vacation. The skiing was good. I was thinking maybe that the Scott Rolen Question would be answered while I was gone — after all Walt Jocketty has been saying “we hope to have solved in the next week” since Christmas. — It wasn't resolved.
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MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, CBSSports.com and Redleg Nation
Star-Telegram / Foul Territory:
Rangers RF Nelson Cruz denies reported involvement with PEDs — The attorneys for right fielder Nelson Cruz have issued a statement saying that any allegations that Cruz used performance-enhancing drugs, as reported by the Miami New Times earlier this week, are false.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Lone Star Ball
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds avoid arbitration with Heisey, Simon — Outfielder, reliever ink one-year deals; four remain as arbitration-eligible — CINCINNATI — The Reds and outfielder Chris Heisey avoided arbitration on Thursday, when he was signed to a one-year, $1.325 million contract.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Redleg Nation
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Indians add Capps to bullpen competition — LaPorta, recovering from left hip surgery, also invited to Spring Training — CLEVELAND — When it comes to their bullpen, the Indians appear to be buying into the theory that there is strength in numbers. — On Thursday, Cleveland signed …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yankees on the verge of deal with Hafner — The Yankees are close enough to a deal with Travis Hafner that it could be announced later today or tomorrow. Sources have indicated that the deal is in place, just waiting for the contract language to be agreed upon.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, The Yankee Analysts, Over the Monster, Pinstriped Bible, HardballTalk and River Avenue Blues
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Brewers sign RHP Alfredo Figaro to minor-league deal — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — As it turns out, right-hander Alfredo Figaro will be in the Brewers' spring camp after all. — The Brewers thought they had a minor-league deal with Figaro, 28, back in December …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Brew Crew Ball
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Report: Cubs' Marmol accused of abuse in Dominican — Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Marmol has been accused of abuse by lawyers for a 24-year-old woman, according to a report in the Dominican Republic. — Miledys Mejia Cepeda filed a criminal complaint against Marmol, according to the Dominican newspaper website ListinDiario.com.
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HardballTalk, CBSSports.com and CBS Chicago
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Inbox: Are the Rangers overlooking Gentry? — Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers fans' questions — Please explain to me why Leonys Martin gets most of the talk about the center-field position. Craig Gentry, in my opinion, has done nothing but prove himself over and over again.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball