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Ex-MLB pitcher Penny signs with Softbank Hawks (AP)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - News — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:09:49 +0000

The Softbank Hawks of Japan's Pacific League have signed former major league pitcher Brad Penny to a one-year contract. Softbank announced the signing of free agent Penny on its website Sunday The 33-year-old right-hander is expected to arrive in Japan on Wednesday. Financial terms of the deal were not released.

New showcase for top Dominican and Venezuelan prospects brings structure and order to scouting (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Pittsburgh Pirates News — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:13:00 +0000

The inaugural event for 15- and 16-year-olds could curb age and name falsifications while protecting players from unscrupulous agents.

2012 Philadelphia Phillies Interleague Schedule (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Philadelphia Phillies News — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:23:00 +0000

The 2012 Philadelphia Phillies interleague schedule begins with a tough three-game series against the Boston Red Sox from May 18-20. From there it may seem a bit easier though, as the Phillies get to play the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays in June.

Moneyball Highlights 2002 Oakland A’s 20 Game Winning Streak: Which Team Achieved a Similar Feat? (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Oakland Athletics News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:47:00 +0000

The wonderful film, " Moneyball ," is up for several Academy Awards, including best picture, lead actor, supporting actor and adapted screenplay. The movie highlights the 2002 Oakland Athletics and their incredible 20 game winning streak.

Texas Rangers at a Contract Standstill with Catcher Mike Napoli – a Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Texas Rangers News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Josh Hamilton is hogging the Texas Rangers' news right now thanks to his unfortunate one-night alcohol relapse. One of the downfalls to his moment of weakness is the fact his contract negotiations have been tabled, meaning he might not get a new contract until after the 2012...

MLB 2012 New York Yankees Home Schedule at Yankee Stadium (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - New York Yankees News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:21:00 +0000

The New York Yankees have much to get excited about this season at Yankee Stadium. Many memories were made in 2011 and plenty more will be created this upcoming season. Will this be the year the Yankees claim the American League championship?

The New Matt Garza Deal is Not Enough: Fan Debate (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Chicago Cubs News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:21:00 +0000

On Friday, February 3, Matt Garza and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a contract for 2012 that will pay the ace right-hander $9.5 million. Garza may also earn more with incentives, including the number of innings pitched. The deal helps the two sides avoid arbitration and hopefully end...

Wife of Yankees GM Cashman files for divorce (AP)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - New York Yankees News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 18:41:26 +0000

The wife of Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has filed divorce papers, a day after prosecutors charged a woman with stalking him and extorting money over an extramarital affair. Mary Cashman filed the paperwork Friday in Stamford, Conn. Her lawyer didn't immediately return a phone message Saturday.

Brian Cashman’s Wife Files for Divorce: A New York Mets Fan’s View (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - New York Yankees News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:48:00 +0000

For the first time in a decade, an ugly scandal regarding a New York-area baseball team involves the Yankees instead of the Mets. Brian Cashman's Philandering According to a Yahoo! Sports report, a woman stalked and shook down New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman,...

Cubs Could Trade Matt Garza: Fan’s Opinion (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Chicago Cubs News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:17:00 +0000

The Chicago Cubs and starting pitcher Matt Garza avoided arbitration on February 3, reaching an agreement for one year at $9.5 million. Garza is currently the Cubs' best option to start for the team on Opening Day. However, many believe that the Cubs may trade him at some point...

Will the Philadelphia Phillies Infield Plan Work?: Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Philadelphia Phillies News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:52:00 +0000

The Philadelphia Phillies could refer to most of their infielders as seasoned veterans, but that would just be another way of saying that they are middle-aged in baseball years. Will the modest adjustments that were made to their inner diamond mix help to improve the overall...

Cashman’s wife files for divorce

FOXSports.com News for MLB — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:58:02 +0000

The wife of Yankee general manager Brian Cashman filed for divorce Friday -- a day after her husband was publicly accused of a second affair, this time with a woman who was charged with shaking him down, sources said.

Brewers Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Milwaukee Brewers News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

The Brewers are not burying their heads in the sand. They realize it will be impossible to replace slugger Prince Fielder, the newly minted Detroit Tiger. And, should Ryan Braun be suspended for 50 games for a reported positive drug test, the void in the middle of the lineup will be greater.

But the Brewers made it clear during their winter fan festival in Milwaukee that nobody is saying "woe is us."

"Don't panic," outfielder Nyjer Morgan advised fans. "Everything is going to be OK. We're all professionals. There's no panic."

With their pitching returning mostly intact and slugger Aramis Ramirez brought in to fill third base as well as some of the production loss with Fielder's exodus, the Brewers still feel they will contend in the NL Central.

"Our team is...

Red Sox Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Boston Red Sox News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

As of Feb. 3, Roy Oswalt remained available in free agency, but the Red Sox probably won't sign another starting pitcher before spring training begins.

"We wouldn't rule out adding a starter, but I think it's unlikely at this point," general manager Ben Cherington said. "We're going to keep looking for ways to improve the team, including the pitching staff, but I wouldn't expect any major changes between now and the report date."

That means the Red Sox will open camp with Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz atop their rotation and two significant question marks behind them. Daniel Bard and Alfredo Aceves will attempt to make the transition from relievers to starters, and injury reclamation projects Vicente Padilla, Aaron Cook and Carlos Silva and holdovers Andrew...

Blue Jays Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Toronto Blue Jays News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

Francisco Cordero knows his role with the Blue Jays.

"I will be the setup guy, I've been that before; I have to treat the eighth inning like the ninth and get us to (Sergio) Santos," the 36-year-old said from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic in a conference call after his signing of a one-year $4.5-million deal was made official.

"They explained to me what my role is going to be, I agreed to it and I'll be more than happy to do it."

Cordero had 37 saves last year with Cincinnati, but doesn't throw as hard as he once did. He does have 327 career saves compared with 31 for Santos, who is 28 and refining his electric stuff. If Santos falters, the Blue Jays know where to turn.

Cordero might have returned to Cincinnati as the closer, but Ryan Madsen failed...

Orioles Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Baltimore Orioles News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

Of all the question marks surrounding the Orioles entering spring training, none looms larger than Brian Roberts.

Once one of the sure things in the organization, the talented leadoff man and second baseman is likely to miss significant time in spring training and may not join the club when it heads north.

The longest-tenured player on the roster, Roberts has been battling headaches since suffering a concussion in May 2011 while sliding head-first. It was Roberts' second concussion in less than a year.

The headaches recurred throughout his rehab process in 2011 and prevented him from participating in organized games.

In fact, Roberts missed the Orioles' winter FanFest last month after doctors told him flying and appearing before a large group may aggravate...

Tigers Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Detroit Tigers News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

The Tigers have one, maybe two, spots open for competition in the bullpen this spring.

Jose Valverde has the closer's role nailed down, and Joaquin Benoit returns as the primary setup guy in Jim Leyland's seven-man bullpen.

Octavio Dotel was signed to help out in the seventh and eighth innings, with Phil Coke and Daniel Schlereth providing left-handed options. That's five seats filled.

You'd have to presume Collin Balester, brought over from Washington in a trade for Ryan Perry, has the inside track for the sixth spot, or why else would Detroit have given up a hard-thrower such as Perry? Balester is out of options, one of the reasons the Nationals traded him, another factor working in his favor.

Still, Balester needs to show in the spring he can be a reliable...

Diamondbacks Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Arizona Diamondbacks News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

The Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year, $5.9 million contract with All-Star catcher Miguel Montero to avoid arbitration, but that does not mean the sides are done talking about a multi-year deal.

D-backs general manager Kevin Towers said he hoped to continue discussions this spring on a contract that would lock up Montero for several more years, and Montero said that was fine with him even though the sides did not get particularly close on a long-term agreement during their attempts this winter.

"I would say there is probably more of a gap on dollars versus term, but we've got a lot more time to work that out than we did over the last couple of weeks," Towers said. "It is still something that we want to do.

Astros Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Houston Astros News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

Despite where the Astros sit relative to the rest of baseball, spots in the rotation will not just be handed out this spring. That was assured when a sixth extremely viable candidate was added to the rotation mix with the signing of veteran workhorse Livan Hernandez.

Hernandez, 36, signed a minor league contract complete with an invitation to major league spring training, where he will have a legitimate shot to make the opening day roster. It would be his 17th season in the major leagues for the 1997 World Series MVP.

"He gives us a veteran presence and it gives us flexibility so we don't have to push some young guys into roles if they're not ready for them," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said.

The most obvious young arm is attached the body of Jordan Lyles,...

Cubs Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Yahoo! Sports - MLB - Chicago Cubs News — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 10:38:46 +0000

The Cubs appear ready to head to spring training, but they've tied up a few last-minute details and still are being talked about in the trade and international free-agent markets.

Their biggest order of business was avoiding salary arbitration with ace starting pitcher Matt Garza, agreeing on a one-year deal worth $9.5 million with performance-based incentives.

The Cubs had offered $7.95 million while Garza was seeking $12.5 million. Cooler heads prevailed in the end.

The Cubs also were reported to have agreed to terms with Cuban left-hander Gerardo Concepcion on a multiyear deal worth at least $7 million. Team officials did not comment at week's end.

It appeared a deal was well on its way to being completed, pending a physical exam and the completion of...