Top News:
NY Daily News:
Former Yankees prospect Jesus Montero, now with the Seattle Mariners, linked to Anthony Bosch and performance-enhancing drugs — Montero, yet another client of the Levinson brothers, Seth and Sam, who are under investigation by Major League Baseball, pops up in relation to South Florida clinic.
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Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
As Braun's name surfaces in PED scandal, another sad day for sports — Just one year ago, Ryan Braun answered questions and denied ever using PEDs after his 50-game suspension for failed test was overturned. — They've marched to the microphones and even the marbled halls of Washington with an earnestness to shame George Bailey.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, JSOnline, ESPN.com and Mets Merized Online
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Braun: ‘Nothing to hide’ in link to Miami clinic — MILWAUKEE — Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun said he had “nothing to hide” Tuesday after being drawn into the controversy surrounding the defunct South Florida clinic that allegedly supplied performance-enhancing drugs to several Major League players.
Discussion:
Brew Beat, Bluebird Banter, Associated Press, Halos Heaven, Baseball Nation and Brew Crew Ball
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Ryan Braun: ‘Nothing to hide’ in dealings with clinic — Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun acknowledged a relationship with a South Florida clinic tied to performance-enhancing drugs, but said he consulted with Anthony Bosch only as it concerned the appeal of a positive drug test.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
NY Daily News:
Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun admits he's on client list of ‘biochemist’ Anthony Bosch, but says he appears in records because his attorneys used Bosch as a consultant — The 2011 National League Most Valuable Player, who beat a drug suspension for synthetic testosterone …
Discussion:
Lady Loves Pinstripes, Brew Crew Ball, CBSSports.com and the joy of sox
Drew Silva / HardballTalk:
Ryan Braun's name discovered in the Biogenesis records
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, MLB Daily Dish, Federal Baseball and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Bourn hunt following a familiar game of chicken with Boras — The Mets and Scott Boras are engaged in a game of chicken. The powerful agent is saying he has attractive offers elsewhere for Michael Bourn. The Mets are essentially challenging him to prove those offers exist …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and Amazin' Avenue
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Fox Sports:
When will Bourn find a new team? — No free-agent position player of Michael Bourn's caliber has ever taken this long to find a new team. Not when fully healthy. Not in a true open market. — In 2005, outfielder Magglio Ordonez needed until Feb. 7 to sign with the Detroit Tigers …
Discussion:
Metsblog, MLB Rumors and New York Post
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Ike Davis: Mets would love Michael Bourn — Ike Davis and Sandy Alderson attended Tuesday night's Thurman Munson dinner. — Chances are strong the Mets general manager didn't solicit his first baseman's opinion on whether the Mets should sign free-agent centerfielder Michael Bourn. But if he had . . .
Discussion:
MLB.com, Metsblog, ESPN and Amazin' Avenue
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Chris Carpenter Likely To Miss 2013 Season — Cardinals GM John Mozeliak announced that Chris Carpenter can't continue to throw and will likely miss the 2013 season (Twitter links via Danny Knobler of CBS Sports and B.J. Rains of FOX Sports Midwest). The 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos, MLB Daily Dish, NESN.com and JSOnline
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Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
After bruising years, Lackey ready to take mound — FORT MYERS, Fla. — To fans, John Lackey is the most unpopular player on the Red Sox. There is no second place; that's how much of a landslide it is. — Lackey is an expensive free agent who didn't meet expectations, a quick path to getting booed at Fenway Park.
Discussion:
MLB.com, Boston Globe, the joy of sox and The Soxaholix
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Rob Bradford / Full Count:
David Ortiz planning to take it slow once spring training begins
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins monitoring LoMo's health as camp nears
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and HardballTalk
Marie Torto / Boston Globe:
Truck Day signals unofficial start of Red Sox spring training
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Leake, Reds avoid arbitration with one-year deal — CINCINNATI — The Reds and starting pitcher Mike Leake avoided arbitration early Wednesday morning when the right-hander agreed to a one-year, $3.06 million contract, sources told MLB.com. — The Reds have not made any announcements on the deal.
RELATED:
Mark Sheldon / Mark My Word:
Leake settles with Reds — Four down, three to go for Reds arbitration cases. — Early Wednesday morning, sources told MLB.com that RHP Mike Leake and the Reds agreed to a one-year, $3.06 million contract that avoids arbitration. — During the exchange of numbers last month …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
AJ Cassavell / MLB.com:
Led by Bundy, O's prospects ready for chance — Gausman, Rodriguez, Schoop looking to follow in right-hander's path … The 2012 season was an active one for the Orioles and their farm system. — Three of the club's top prospects — Manny Machado, Dylan Bundy and Xavier Avery …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Pirates Sign Jonathan Sanchez — The Pirates announced that they signed left-hander Jonathan Sanchez to a minor league contract. The McNamara Baseball Group client obtains an invitation to MLB Spring Training. — Sanchez spent the 2012 season with the Rockies and Royals, struggling with both teams.
