The Ellsbury Steal

The youtube clips have all been pulled by MLB.

Here's a better one: Ellsbury surprises Yanks with swipe of home (via mlb.com)

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Red Sox Focus on Vetran Pitchers

The Red Sox have been working the market for a veteran arm for the back end of the rotation or to fill in for injuries. They are actively discussing Carl Pavano, Andy Pettitte, and A. J. Burnett.

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Pettitte to Confirm Roger's HGH Use?

The Associated Press is reporting that a lawyer for Andy Pettitte's former personal trainer believes that Pettitte will confirm that he discussed HGH use with Clemens* between the 2001 and 2002 seasons. Pettitte will testify before a Congressional committee in February.

The lawyer, Earl Ward, said Pettitte talked about HGH with trainer Brian McNamee following a conversation with Clemens.

“We’re hopeful based on Andy’s reputation that he will corroborate Brian’s statements with regard to Roger,” Ward said in an interview.

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Clemens* Asked to Testify Before Congress

Roger * will get a chance to tell the House Oversight Committee all about his vitamin injections on January 16th if he complies with a request by the Committee to testify. The Committee also asked Andy Pettitte to appear along with their former trainer, Brian McNamee.

On January 15th the Oversight Committee will hear from Bud Selig, Donald Fehr and George Mitchell.

UPDATE: Clemens' lawyer said Roger will accept the invitation and will attend the hearings and testify under oath.

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Today Is The Day For Santana

Since Andy Pettitte announced that he will pitch for the Yankees next season it is doubtful that the Yankees will change their offer for Santana. Yesterday they said that today is the deadline for the Twins to accept their offer. The Yankees are not as desperate for a starter as they were before so if the Twins don't take the offer today it is very likely that Santana will end up on the Red Sox. Since Santana is not going to allow a trade during the season and has said he will only accept a trade to the Red Sox or Yankees, a deal will happen soon. Although no one likes when the Yankees improve their pitching, the Pettitte news is good for Boston on the Santana front. The Winter Meetings have started and the countdown for the Yankees deadline has begun. If Santana's agent is not negotiating a long term deal with the Yankees by midnight he will most likely be on the Red Sox by the end of the week.

The A's reportedly want the same high price for Haren as the Twins are looking for Santana: Lester and Ellsbury or Buchholz and Ellsbury. If Boston is going to go after a starter for that price it would likely be Santana who is the better pitcher.

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The Rivalry Continues in the Off-Season

If the Red Sox get Santana from the Twins the Yankees are in big trouble. Pitching wins championships and Boston will have the best pitching in baseball. The Yankees will have Chien-Ming Wang and not much else. Pettitte is still a question mark and Rogah may have finally retired. But if the Yankees are able to land Santana they will be back in business. They will have the best pitcher and the best hitter in baseball. Boston does not need Santana to be good in '08 but they need him to not be on the Yankees. It is a weird position for the Red Sox to be in; the possibility of stealing the player the Yankees are most interested in. That's what makes this rivalry so great, it does not end when the season does.

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