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:
The Big Lead, Deadspin, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk, Bleacher Report, Sliding Into Home, 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, Red Sox Monster, Let's Go Tribe, Over the Monster and CBSSports.com
ESPN:
Schilling: PED path raised in 2008 — Former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling said on ESPN Radio on Wednesday that in 2008 “former members of the organization” told him performance-enhancing drugs were an option to help him get healthy and extend his career. — Schilling, who had signed …
Discussion:
SI Tracking Blog
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, Kranepool Society, Amazin' Avenue and ESPN
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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Mets add final piece to 'pen in veteran righty Lyon — NEW YORK — The Mets completed their offseason bullpen makeover on Thursday, agreeing to terms with right-hander Brandon Lyon on a one-year contract, according to a source. The team has yet to announce the deal, which is pending a physical.
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
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, Federal Baseball, MLB Daily Dish, Baseball Prospectus, Bless You Boys, HardballTalk and Riptide 2.0
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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:
Only Baseball Matters and It's About The Money
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
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:
The Big Lead, Bleacher Report, ESPN.com, JSOnline and HardballTalk
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:
NESN.com, MLB Daily Dish, Viva El Birdos and MLB Rumors
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Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
After bruising years, Lackey ready to take mound
After bruising years, Lackey ready to take mound
Discussion:
NESN.com, Over the Monster, Hardball Times, Baseball Prospectus, the joy of sox, HardballTalk, Boston Globe and The Soxaholix
Evan Drellich / MLB.com:
Levangie tabbed as Sox's new bullpen coach
Levangie tabbed as Sox's new bullpen coach
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, Over the Monster, Boston Globe and the joy of sox
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
David Ortiz planning to take it slow once spring training begins
David Ortiz planning to take it slow once spring training begins
Discussion:
NESN.com, Bleacher Report, Over the Monster, ESPN and Red Sox Monster
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, MLB Rumors, Amazin' Avenue, Mets Merized Online, New York Post and Fox Sports
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
Lee Enterprises / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards issue No. 32 for first time since Hancock wore it — • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285 — JUPITER, Fla. • For the first time since pitcher Josh Hancock died in an automobile accident early in the 2007 season, the Cardinals will issue his No. 32 to an active player at spring training.
Discussion:
HardballTalk