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:
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
Tigers' Peralta now linked to Bosch — Jhonny Peralta is the 12th player connected to Biogenesis, the Florida wellness clinic at the heart of the scandal. — Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta is named in the records of Tony Bosch, the director of the Biogenesis wellness clinic in Coral Gables …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, HardballTalk and WasWatching.com
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
As Braun's name surfaces in PED scandal, another sad day for sports
As Braun's name surfaces in PED scandal, another sad day for sports
Discussion:
ESPN.com, JSOnline, HardballTalk, Federal Baseball and baseballmusings.com
Geoff Baker / Mariners blog:
Jesus Montero says he has “no clue” how name ended up in documents from South Florida clinic
Jesus Montero says he has “no clue” how name ended up in documents from South Florida clinic
Discussion:
North and South … and Lookout Landing
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Ryan Braun: ‘Nothing to hide’ in dealings with clinic
Ryan Braun: ‘Nothing to hide’ in dealings with clinic
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
NY Daily News:
Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun admits he's on client list of ‘biochemist’ …
Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun admits he's on client list of ‘biochemist’ …
Discussion:
NESN.com, Lady Loves Pinstripes and Brew Crew Ball
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Braun: ‘Nothing to hide’ in link to Miami clinic
Braun: ‘Nothing to hide’ in link to Miami clinic
Discussion:
Brew Beat, Bluebird Banter, Brew Crew Ball, Halos Heaven, Baseball Nation and Associated Press
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 Daily Dish, HardballTalk, Amazin' Avenue, MLB Rumors and Metsblog
RELATED:
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Ike Davis: Mets would love Michael Bourn
Ike Davis: Mets would love Michael Bourn
Discussion:
MLB.com, ESPN, Metsblog 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
Leake settles with Reds
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
Tracy Ringolsby / MLB.com:
Leyland is exactly where he belongs with Tigers — Veteran skipper has shown he knows when it is time to move on — With the highly-favored Tigers battling until the final days of last season with the White Sox before claiming the American League Central title there was talk …
Barry Jackson / Sports Buzz:
2 p.m. update: Mixed UM recruiting news; Big name rebuffed trying to buy Marlins; Heat, Fins — The Wednesday buzz is below, with some surprising Marlins news and more. First, a quick Wednesday morning UM recruiting update: Staten Island-based running back Augustus Edwards picked UM over FSU …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, SI Tracking Blog and CBSSports.com
Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Scott gets $2.75-million, De La Rosa gets designated — UPDATE, 7:30: Scott said he was excited to be back and get another chance to “see the fruits of my labor.” — He had good reports his right shoulder, which was an issue last year as he was coming off surgery, saying it is much improved and stronger …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Gonzalez passes physical, returns to Brewers — MILWAUKEE — Shortstop Alex Gonzalez passed a physical exam on Wednesday and signed his one-year deal to return to the Brewers, who tentatively plan to use him as an experienced backup to young shortstop Jean Segura.
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
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
Keith Law / ESPN:
Top 10 prospects (AL West) — The top prospects and sleepers for each AL West team — This year, I've changed the format of my ranking of the top 10 prospects in each organization. The criteria for organizing these lists are the same, but I've included a little more explanation of the state …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and ESPN