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Anthopoulos looking to make Blue Jays a sustained winner, won't take shortcuts (The Canadian Press)

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:47:00 PST

TORONTO - Alex Anthopoulos unveiled his long awaited blueprint for the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday and a by-product of his ambitious philosophy is likely more waiting for fans desperate to see a winner.

Mets decline 2010 option on reliever J.J. Putz (AP)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:26:55 PST

The New York Mets have declined an option on reliever J.J. Putz, making him eligible for free agency. Putz was due to make $9.1 million in 2010. Instead, the Mets decided Friday to pay him a $1 million buyout. Putz was 1-4 with two saves and a 5.22 ERA in his first season with New York. The Mets got him a trade with Seattle last offseason to be the setup man for Francisco Rodriguez.

Mets will send reliever Putz packing (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:10:30 PST

The New York Mets are apparently telling reliever J.J. Putz to take a hike this off-season.

Mets Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:07:17 PST

The Mets planned to name Chip Hale their new third base coach after the World Series, the New York Daily News reported. Hale, 44, spent the previous three seasons in that role with the Diamondbacks.

Razor Shines, who served as the Mets' third base coach last season, will remain on the staff. However, Mets officials wanted someone with more experience in the third base coaching box after Shines had a rough 2009 season sending runners.

Shines could succeed dismissed Sandy Alomar Sr. as bench coach, but the Mets are still mulling making an external hire for that role. They're interested in former Arizona manager Bob Melvin, the Daily News reported.

If the Mets don't hire another coach, Shines would move to bench coach and Sandy Alomar Jr.

Mets decline Putz's option; reliever willing to return for less (SportingNews.com)

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:16:19 PST

The New York Mets will not exercise J.J. Putz's $8.6 million option, but the reliever is willing to return on...

Livan Hernandez returning to Nationals? (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:29:57 PST

The agent for Livan Hernandez is saying that his client wouldn't mind returning to the lowly Washington...

Phillies stealing Yankees' signs? (Yahoo! Sports)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:08:52 PST

Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino is not happy with one of the team's former managers,...

Mets' Francoeur has surgery on thumb ligament (AP)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:34:50 PST

Mets right fielder Jeff Francoeur has undergone thumb surgery and is expected to be ready for spring training. The Mets said the operation on Francoeur's torn ligament in his left thumb took place in Atlanta on Monday. Francoeur was injured while making a diving catch against Philadelphia on July 23.

Large-market teams dominate baseball this year (AP)

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:07:01 PDT

Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio thought about the teams in baseball's final four this year -- all large-market clubs -- and wondered whether there would be room for his franchise anytime soon. "We don't know if that's a trend or just an aberration," he said. "The disparity among the clubs appears to be widening." Baseball's four league championship series...

Baseball's big bucks: Large-market teams open wallets, get plenty to show for it (The Canadian Press)

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:44:30 PDT

PHILADELPHIA - Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio thought about the teams in baseball's final four this year - large-market clubs all - and wondered whether there would room for his franchise any time soon.

Jason Bay staying in Boston for $15 million annually? (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:44:10 PDT

The Boston Red Sox would love to bring back free agent outfielder Jason Bay and the rumor is that the team would...

M's getting in on bidding for Cuban defector Chapman (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:53:12 PDT

Everybody wants lefthanded Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman. And why not? The 21-year-old can apparently throw 102...

One more chance for Pedro to torment the Yanks (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:01:00 PDT

Pedro Martinez says he's the most influential player to appear at old Yankee Stadium. What will his impact be in Game 2?

Tigers in on hunt for Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman (Yahoo! Sports)

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:38:30 PDT

Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman already has more than a few major league teams after him. You can now apparently...

Assistant in Phillips affair no longer with ESPN (AP)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:21:43 PDT

An ESPN spokesman says the production assistant whose affair with Steve Phillips led to the baseball analyst's firing is no longer with the sports network. Spokesman Mike Soltys said Monday that Brooke Hundley doesn't work at ESPN anymore. He declined to say whether she quit or was fired. Hundley did not immediately return a phone message Monday.

Cleveland Indians hire Manny Acta as manager; beats out Bobby Valentine (The Canadian Press)

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:25:37 PDT

CLEVELAND - Manny Acta's record didn't overwhelm the Cleveland Indians. They looked much deeper than at his wins and losses - lots of losses.

Mets minor leaguer dies of apparent heart attack (AP)

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:03:47 PDT

New York Mets minor league pitcher Rafael Castro has died of an apparent heart attack. He was 18. Castro died Friday at the Mets' academy in Carabobo, Venezuela. The Mets announced his death Saturday. Castro had spent two years with the Mets' team in the Venezuelan Summer League. The right-handed pitcher was from Colombia.

Madoff could still cost Mets millions (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:44:52 PDT

New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon was old pals with mega-con man Bernie Madoff and he and his friends had a whole...

Phillies going for rare World Series repeat (AP)

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:43:44 PDT

After winning their second consecutive NL pennant on Wednesday night, the Philadelphia Phillies are trying to become the eighth major league team to repeat as champions since divisional play began in 1969. Here's a look at how other clubs fared over the last 40 years when reaching the World Series one season after taking home the title: 1971 Baltimore Orioles, lost to Pittsburgh Pirates in 7...

Trustee: NY Mets turn loss to a win with Madoff (AP)

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:20:32 PDT

The trustee overseeing jailed financier Bernard Madoff's assets has labeled the New York Mets winners in the epic fraud. He says the baseball team made nearly $48 million in the Ponzi scheme. Court-appointed trustee Irving Picard has labeled investors who withdrew more money from Madoff than they invested as net winners.

Mets will be biggest suitor for free agent Holliday (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:36:14 PDT

When Matt Holliday enters the free-agent market this off-season, there will be many teams that desire his...

Brewers hire Rick Peterson, who worked with Macha, Randolph, as pitching coach (The Canadian Press)

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:45:50 PDT

MILWAUKEE - Rick Peterson knew he wanted to join the Brewers as soon as he left his interview. Help for Milwaukee's beleaguered pitching staff can't come quickly enough.

Mets release LHP Takahashi (AP)

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:36:08 PDT

The New York Mets have released left-handed reliever Ken Takahashi. The 40-year-old pitcher was let go Tuesday. He went 0-1 with a 2.96 ERA in 28 games this season.

Field of dreams -- StubHub offers Mets playoff tix (AP)

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:08:40 PDT

Hey, Mets fans, that awful season was just a bad dream -- if you believe StubHub. The company sent an e-mail Monday offering tickets for Mets' playoff games. "Be there alongside your New York Mets as they chase baseball immortality," the e-mail said. "Go to StubHub, where you'll find a fantastic selection of tickets to every playoff game -- so you experience the championship...

Field of dreams _ StubHub offers Mets playoff tix (PA SportsTicker)

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:05:12 PDT

Hey, Mets fans, that awful season was just a bad dream - if you believe StubHub.