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:
Deadspin, HardballTalk, NESN.com, Bleacher Report, The Big Lead, MLB Daily Dish, Sliding Into Home, Boston Globe, ESPN and WasWatching.com
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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, Let's Go Tribe, Over the Monster, Red Sox Monster, CBSSports.com and Bleacher Report
Mike Lupica / NY Daily News:
It's time for Major League Baseball to put Ryan Braun, Alex Rodriguez and their accused peers in front of a grand jury, under oath, to get the truth — Braun once again says he can explain everything, he was using Bosch only as a consultant, and that that their relationship had nothing to do with performance-enhancing drugs.
Discussion:
It's About The Money and Only Baseball Matters
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Lucchino ‘surprised’ by Schilling's accusations
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.
Discussion:
MLB.com, HardballTalk, baseballmusings.com, Mariners blog, Lookout Landing, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, FanGraphs Baseball, Baseball Nation, Bleacher Report, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Seattle Mariners blog, U.S.S. Mariner, Bluebird Banter, NESN.com, Bless You Boys, Over the Monster, True Blue LA, McCovey Chronicles, CBSSports.com, Minor League Ball, SI Tracking Blog, It's About The Money, River Avenue Blues, The LoHud Yankees Blog and ESPN
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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.
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:
HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, Metsblog, Amazin' Avenue, ESPN and Kranepool Society
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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
Associated Press:
Shoppach, Mariners finalize $1.5M, 1-year deal — SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners have finalized a $1.5 million, one-year contract with catcher Kelly Shoppach, providing a needed backup to expected starter Jesus Montero. — Seattle announced the deal Thursday.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner and Lookout Landing
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
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, Amazin' Avenue and MLB Daily Dish
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Don't count on Red Sox getting in hunt for Kyle Lohse — The rumors regarding the Red Sox and Kyle Lohse resurfaced earlier this week thanks in part to a tweet from Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and Sirius/XM Radio ... According to a major league source, however, it is “highly unlikely” …
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, NESN.com, MLB Daily Dish, Viva El Birdos and MLB Rumors
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.
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Rehab going well, but Braves' McCann unlikely for Opening Day — Brian McCann has never been in this situation. Three days before Braves pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the six-time former All-Star is not ready to play ball. Won't be, until his surgically repaired right shoulder …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Indians will give Rich Hill a shot — The Indians have signed lefthanded reliever Rich Hill to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. — Hill, 32, appeared in relief in 25 games for the Red Sox last season after returning from Tommy John surgery in April and had a 1.83 ERA.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors