Top News:
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Francisco Rodriguez Agrees To Terms With Unidentified Team — Veteran reliever Francisco Rodriguez has an agreement in place with an as-yet unidentified team, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports on Twitter. While Rodriguez's destination is not yet known, it is not the Marlins …
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers To Re-Sign Francisco Rodriguez — The Brewers have reached agreement on a two-year, $13MM deal with reliever Francisco Rodriguez. Milwaukee also holds a club option for the 2017 season over the Boras Corporation client. — While the annual breakdown is not yet fully reported …
Discussion:
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Adam Rubin / ESPN:
Daniel Murphy: 'As of now, I'm a Met' — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Second baseman Daniel Murphy, the lone All-Star for the New York Mets in 2014, likely is headed for free agency next offseason. — Murphy indicated Thursday that he was open to in-season extension talks between the club …
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Marc Carig / Newsday:
The contract conundrum facing Daniel Murphy and the Mets … Mets — 5 keys to the Mets' spring training … Mets — Mets spring training
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Amazin' Avenue
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Steinbrenner talks about futures of Cashman, Girardi and A-Rod — Clockwise from left: Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner, general manager Brian Cashman, Alex Rodriguez and manager Joe Girardi — TAMPA — Take the hot seat away. No one is on it for the Yankees. It is only spring training, as owner Hal Steinbrenner sees it.
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Hal Steinbrenner: ‘Cheap’ shots at Yankees are way off base
Hal Steinbrenner: ‘Cheap’ shots at Yankees are way off base
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MLB Trade Rumors
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Sources: Yankees confident they can avoid paying A-Rod milestone bonuses
Sources: Yankees confident they can avoid paying A-Rod milestone bonuses
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and HardballTalk
Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
Josh Hamilton meets with MLB after cocaine, alcohol relapse: source — Josh Hamilton, the slugging outfielder who seemed destined for baseball stardom but has been repeatedly sidelined due to substance abuse, was summoned to New York to meet with MLB officials Wednesday about a disciplinary issue.
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Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Let's hit: Jeff Francoeur channels Charlie Manuel — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Jeff Francoeur leaned against the batting cage on Wednesday morning and stood next to Charlie Manuel as another Phillies player took his swings. The former Phillies manager and his newest pupil talked about Manuel's favorite subject: the art of hitting.
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NBCSports.com
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Globe and Mail:
Blue Jays lose outfielder Michael Saunders with knee injury — Bad news has struck the Toronto Blue Jays with the news that new leftfielder Michael Saunders suffered a knee injury while shagging flies on Wednesday and will require surgery. — Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos delivered …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter, Lookout Landing, Sporting News Feed RSS, MLB Trade Rumors and Yahoo Sports
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Shoulder stiffness puts reliever two weeks behind schedule — MLB.com's Tim McMaster and Jeff Nelson discuss the Dodgers' trade with the Rays for Joel Peralta — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dodgers reliever Joel Peralta, sidelined by shoulder stiffness, said he is hopeful he will be able to throw off a mound by next week.
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True Blue LA
Brian Blanco / Fox Sports:
Yanks' Tanaka has another pain-free session, nears BP — Masahiro Tanaka is attempting to return from an elbow injury. — New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka threw 40 pitches in his third bullpen session Thursday and could be ready to throw batting practice early next week.
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Slowly, Phillies enter analytics era — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Last week, Pat Gillick sat in the lobby of Bright House Field and said the “A” word. He did not scoff. He did not swear. He did not speak in tongues or smoke at the ears. The question was simple: What role …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and The Good Phight
Mmgagne / The MMQB with Peter King:
‘I Jumped Up, Reached for the Ball ... and My Life Changed Forever’ — By Brandon Bostick — MINNEAPOLIS — Sometimes I wake up in the morning and it's the first thing on my mind. There are nights when I dwell on it before falling asleep. Sometimes the thought creeps up on me when I'm lifting weights …
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Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
A deep dive from Ike Davis on his NY Mets' downfall, health, hope for the future, the thing that still leaves “dirty taste” — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The phenom part is easy. You're born talented, become a first-round pick, and ascend to the big leagues, all without having to think much.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online and NBCSports.com
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Slugger brings charm to new clubhouse, confident that Majors' best outfield resides in San Diego — Outfielder Matt Kemp talks about the health of his hips and fresh outlook with the Padres as he prepares for the season with a new team — PEORIA, Ariz. — Spotting a familiar face …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and ESPN
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