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.
RELATED:
Paul Hagen / MLB.com:
Braun's name in Miami PED clinic papers — Major League Baseball's investigation into the widening Biogenesis scandal became more complicated Tuesday when four more players, including Brewers superstar Ryan Braun, were linked to the now-defunct Florida clinic alleged to have distributed performance-enhancing substances.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Geoff Baker / Mariners blog:
Jesus Montero says he has “no clue” how name ended up in documents from South Florida clinic — A shot of Peoria Stadium in Arizona this morning, where Jesus Montero and other Mariners are working out at the team's complex ahead of the start of spring training next week.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing and North and South …
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:
JSOnline, HardballTalk, ESPN.com and Mets Merized Online
NY Daily News:
Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun admits he's on client list of ‘biochemist’ …
Discussion:
NESN.com, Lady Loves Pinstripes, Brew Crew Ball and CBSSports.com
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Ryan Braun: ‘Nothing to hide’ in dealings with clinic
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Braun: ‘Nothing to hide’ in link to Miami clinic
Discussion:
Brew Beat, Brew Crew Ball, Associated Press, Bluebird Banter, Halos Heaven and Baseball Nation
Drew Silva / HardballTalk:
Ryan Braun's name discovered in the Biogenesis records
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Federal Baseball, baseballmusings.com 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:
Metsblog, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
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
Discussion:
Metsblog, ESPN, MLB.com and Amazin' Avenue
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
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
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.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
A bunch of ex quarterbacks to compete for a job as a knuckleball pitcher with the Diamondbacks — This is fun and rather random: MLB Network is debuting a new series next week called “The Next Knuckler.” The concept: several former college (and pro) quarterbacks are going to learn to throw …
Discussion:
Over the Monster and SI Tracking Blog
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Confident Mets manager Collins not worried about lame-duck status — PORT ST. LUCIE — Managing the Mets is hard enough. Managing them as a lame duck is nearly impossible. That is what is staring Terry Collins in the face. — Collins is staring right back.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Mets Merized Online and Metsblog
Evan Drellich / MLB.com:
Levangie tabbed as Sox's new bullpen coach — BOSTON — The Red Sox's new bullpen coach is somebody who has already spent loads of time in the Fenway 'pen. — Dana Levangie, 43, was Boston's bullpen catcher for eight years, the last of which culminated in the 2004 World Series title.
Discussion:
Boston Globe and Over the Monster
Rhettbollinger / Bollinger Beat:
Swarzak out for a month with fractured ribs — MINNEAPOLIS — Right-hander Anthony Swarzak fractured two ribs on his left side in a non-baseball activity on Jan. 25 and is expected to be out for a month, the Twins announced today. — The club did not announce how Swarzak injured his ribs …
Discussion:
SI Tracking Blog and HardballTalk
Blair Shiff / KUSA-TV:
Todd Helton arrested for suspicion of DUI — 9NEWS sources say he was taken into custody in Colorado, however, they have not released the location or the time of the arrest. — The following statement from the Colorado Rockies:
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and Purple Row
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Colletti: Dodgers likely out of mix for Rolen — LOS ANGELES — General manager Ned Colletti pretty much squelched the idea of adding free agent Scott Rolen to the Dodgers' third-base mix on Wednesday. — In an interview with MLB Network, Colletti confirmed the Dodgers had “some interest” …
Discussion:
Mark My Word
Paul White / USA Today:
Chris Carpenter's career may be over — Chris Carpenter, the longtime ace of the St. Louis Cardinals and a central figure to their two World Series championships this century, will not pitch in 2013 due to enduring shoulder numbness, putting his career in doubt.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
RELATED:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Chris Carpenter Likely To Miss 2013 Season
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos, MLB Daily Dish, NESN.com, JSOnline and SI Tracking Blog
