Top News:
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
M.L.B. Defends Fred Wilpon and His Financial Role — It sounds like a punch line: Fred Wilpon, the majority owner of the Mets, is the new chairman of Major League Baseball's finance committee. — Wilpon was a victim of Bernard L. Madoff's Ponzi scheme and has slashed the payroll of a team that has struggled significantly with debt.
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ESPN:
MLB Could Eliminate Defensive Shifts … THE LATEST
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MLB.com:
Commissioner Rob Manfred's letter to fans — Rob Manfred is the 10th Commissioner of Major League Baseball. — Dear Fans: — On the night of August 14, 2014, I left a Baltimore hotel after being elected Commissioner of Baseball. As I began to reply to the overwhelming number …
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Paul Hagen / MLB.com:
Outgoing Commissioner given Long and Meritorious Service Award — Commissioner Rob Manfred presents the ninth Commissioner of MLB Allan H. (Bud) Selig with the Long and Meritorious Service award — NEW YORK — In one of his last official acts as Commissioner, just hours before stepping …
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Amazin' Avenue
Matthew Cerrone / Metsblog:
Manfred defends Fred Wilpon's role on finance committee — MLB commissioner Rob Manfred does not understand why people have been critical of his choice to name Mets owner Fred Wilpon head of the league's finance committee (NY Times, Jan. 25). — According to Manfred …
Shi Davidi / Sportsnet.ca:
Blue Jays end negotiations for Orioles' Duquette — TORONTO — Negotiations for Dan Duquette are over after the Toronto Blue Jays refused to consider the Baltimore Orioles' demands for promising right-hander Jeff Hoffman and two other top prospects as compensation for the executive.
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Bob Elliott / Toronto Sun:
The inside story on how Rogers tried to replace Blue Jays president Paul Beeston
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Teri Thompson / NY Daily News:
Yankees reject Alex Rodriguez's mea culpa meeting request after Biogenesis scandal — The disgraced superstar offered to meet face-to-face with team executives to apologize for his role in the Biogenesis scandal and clear the air before players report to Tampa next month, the Daily News has learned …
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Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
A-Rod, sans lawyers, secretly meets with incoming commish — In the latest stop of his rehabilitation tour, Alex Rodriguez entered the belly of the beast and met with an old nemesis, The Post has learned. — Earlier this past week, the Yankees' disgraced, returning slugger convened …
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Fred Mitchell / Chicago Tribune:
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MLB.com:
Cubs Hall of Famer Ernie Banks passes away at the age of 83
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Beloved Mr. Cub, Hall of Famer Banks dies at 83
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Mike Ramsey / CBS Chicago:
Ernie Banks, Beloved ‘Mr. Cub,’ Dead at 83
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Marc Carig / Newsday:
Wilmer Flores is working hard to prove he can play shortstop … Mets — Mets in 2015: Keep 'em or dump 'em? … Baseball — Ranking MLB's free agent position players
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New York Post
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Marc Carig / Newsday:
David Wright takes optimistic view of Mets' situation
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Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Rockies shortstop, recovering from hip surgery, wants to prove doubters wrong — When healthy, 30-year-old Troy Tulowitzki is one of the league's best hitters, but injuries remain a lingering concern heading into 2015 — DENVER — In a sense, Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki's offseason is not much different than winters past.
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MLB Trade Rumors
Dave Reardon / Honolulu Star-Advertiser:
Mariota, still healing from injury, not sure if he'll throw at NFL Combine — Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota responds to a question during media day for the NCAA college football playoff championship, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, in Dallas. — Marcus Mariota said he is undecided …
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Rob Neyer / Fox Sports:
THAT TIME BUD SELIG YELLED AT ME — I don't tell war stories too often. Largely because I haven't been anywhere near a real war, and also because even my figurative wars have been both rare and tame, even by the standards of a professional sports scribe. But on the occasion of Bud Selig ascending …
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baseballmusings.com and AZ Snake Pit
Bob Dutton / Mariners Insider:
Mariners notebook: Zduriencik says ‘no favorite right now’ in spring shortstop battle between Miller and Taylor — SEATTLE — Anticipation is already building within the Mariners' organization regarding the looming spring battle between Brad Miller and Chris Taylor to determine a starting shortstop.
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