Top News:
Jerry Spar / Full Count:
Curt Schilling: ‘Members of the [Red Sox] organization’ encouraged me to use PEDs — Curt Schilling, in a Wednesday interview on ESPN Radio, said toward the end of his tenure with the Red Sox he was encouraged to use performance-enhancing drugs by “members of the organization.”
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, HardballTalk, Deadspin, MLB Daily Dish, The Big Lead, Sliding Into Home, ESPN and WasWatching.com
RELATED:
ESPN:
Curt Schilling, MLB — ESPN MLB analyst Curt Schilling says he will be surprised if Alex Rodriguez plays again. Schilling also shares his thoughts on Ryan Braun and more.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Red Sox Monster, Let's Go Tribe, Over the Monster, CBSSports.com and Bleacher Report
Evan Drellich / MLB.com:
Lucchino says Sox will look into Schilling claim — Curt Schilling went 216-146 with a 3.46 ERA during his 20-year big league career. (Elsa/Getty Images) — BOSTON — Red Sox team president/CEO Larry Lucchino said Thursday that the club would look into Curt Schilling's claim that the pitcher …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Lucchino ‘surprised’ by Schilling's accusations — Former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling said on Wednesday that “former members of the organization” presented him with the option of using performance-enhancing drugs as a way to overcome the shoulder injury that ended his career.
Discussion:
NESN.com
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Mariners, Felix Hernandez agree to $175 million deal — Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez has agreed to a seven-year, $175 million contract that should be finalized before spring training, making him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history, a person familiar with the contract details told USA TODAY Sports.
RELATED:
ESPN.com:
Report: Hernandez, M's agree to $175M deal — Felix Hernandez has agreed to a new seven-year, $175 million contract with the Seattle Mariners, USA Today Sports reported Thursday. — The deal would make Hernandez the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history.
Discussion:
FanSided
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Francisco, Collins say vet still Mets closer — PORT ST. LUCIE — Frank Francisco made his closing argument yesterday. This is an open and shut case. — “I am the closer,” Francisco told The Post at the Mets spring-training complex. — No ifs, ands or buts about it.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, Metsblog, Amazin' Avenue, Kranepool Society and ESPN
RELATED:
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Mets add final piece to 'pen in veteran righty Lyon
Mets add final piece to 'pen in veteran righty Lyon
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Confident Mets manager Collins not worried about lame-duck status
Confident Mets manager Collins not worried about lame-duck status
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Mets Merized Online and Metsblog
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
NY Mets still motivated to sign Michael Bourn but adamant about keeping first-round draft pick — As it stands, the Mets have the unprotected 11th pick, because the Pittsburgh Pirates failed to sign their top draft choice last year, and received a top-10 pick this year as compensation.
Discussion:
Metsblog, MLB Daily Dish, Amazin' Avenue and Fox Sports
Scott Cacciola / New York Times:
Line Up, Shut Up and Maybe Mr. Jeter Will Sign — TAMPA, Fla. — Shortly before noon, and nearly a week before spring training was to begin, a Yankees employee named John Johnson received word on his two-way radio that Derek Jeter had wrapped up his work for the day and would be leaving the team's minor-league complex here.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Lonely days ahead for Mark Buehrle — Pitcher's pit bull outlawed in Toronto, so family won't join him once season begins — A brief scouting report on Slater Buehrle: — He's 2 years old and weighs 65 pounds. His coat is slate blue, his ears are floppy and his eyes are a doleful shade of gray and green.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
Tigers' Peralta linked to Bosch, PEDs — 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:
NESN.com, MLB Daily Dish, Federal Baseball, Baseball Prospectus, Lady Loves Pinstripes, Bless You Boys, HardballTalk and JSOnline
RELATED:
Paul Hagen / MLB.com:
Braun's name in Miami PED clinic papers
Braun's name in Miami PED clinic papers
Discussion:
Bleacher Report and AZ Snake Pit
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Bochy can see Wilson back in SF after recovery — SAN FRANCISCO — Manager Bruce Bochy offered Giants fans a glimmer of hope that closer Brian Wilson could pitch again for the ballclub someday. — Bochy spent an hour Wednesday addressing members of the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and HardballTalk