May 2012 - Baseball Wiretap

No Extension, But Aybar Wants To Remain With Angels
Erick Aybar hasn't received a contract extension from the Angels, but he still hopes to remain with the team over the long-term.

MLBlogs.com

Mets To Wear Patch Honoring Gary Carter
The Mets will remember Gary Carter by wearing a patch this season bearing his No. 8, according to team officials.

Adam Rubin/ESPN.com

A-Rod Wants To Play Third, Not Be A DH
Alex Rodriguez played in just 99 games last season because of injuries.

Wallace Matthews/ESPN.com

Henry Apologizes To Crawford For Saying He Was Against Signing
John Henry has apologized to Carl Crawford for saying earlier this offseason that he was against the Red Sox signing the outfielder.

Joe McDonald/ESPN.com

Valentine Bans Beer In Red Sox Clubhouse
The ban doesn't just apply to beer, but all alcoholic beverages.

Gordon Edes/ESPN.com

Angels Believe Rotation Stacks Up With Best
The Angels made a big splash by signing Albert Pujols this offseason, but they also added C.J. Wilson to an already strong starting rotation.

MLB.com

Jeter Mentions Retirement, Doesn't Want To Hang Around
Derek Jeter is entering his 17th Major League season.

New York Post

Votto Wants To Avoid Discussing Possible Contract
Joey Votto discussed the possibility of signing a long-term contract extension with the Reds on Friday, for what he hopes is the final time.

Cincinnati Enquirer

Martin, Yankees Table Contract Talks
Brian Cashman said the two sides "mutually agreed to wait," after agent Matt Colleran called him.

Andrew Marchand/ESPN.com

Zimmerman Isn't Preoccupied By Extension Talks, Deadline
Ryan Zimmerman still doesn't have a contract extension with the Nationals despite his self-imposed Saturday deadline.

Washington Post

Josh Hamilton Doesn't Feel He Owes Rangers
Josh Hamilton doesn't feel the need to give the Rangers a hometown discount.

Richard Durrett/ESPN.com

Zimmerman's Extension Held Up By No-Trade Clause
Ryan Zimmerman wants to finish his career with the Nationals, but his self-imposed deadline for a contract extension is looming.

Yahoo! Sports

Cardinals, Molina Discussing Extension
Yadier Molina has restarted talks with the Cardinals about a contract extension.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Morneau Admits Concussions Could Prematurely End Career
Justin Morneau used the word "torture" when speaking about what he's gone through.

Star Tribune

Injury-Prone Sizemore To Miss Opening Day
Grady Sizemore will not play on Opening Day because of a strained lower back.

Associated Press

Playoff Expansion Now 'Likely' For 2012
An agreement will have to been made by Thursday under the terms of the new labor deal.

Jayson Stark/ESPN.com

Manny Reports To A's, Ready For 'New Beginning'
Manny Ramirez will miss the first 50 games of the season.

Enrique Rojas/ESPN.com

Braun Speaks Out, Says 'Truth Prevailed'
Ryan Braun would have served a 50-game suspension for high testosterone levels.

ESPN.com

Berkman: Money Kept Oswalt From Joining Cardinals
Roy Oswalt hasn't found a home and now there are reports that he is willing to join a team at midseason.

Derrick Goold/St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter)

Kershaw On Track For March 9 Spring Debut
Clayton Kershaw is on schedule to make his Spring Training debut, despite suffering from mild back tightness this week.

MLB.com

Ryan Zimmerman Wants New Deal By Saturday
Ryan Zimmerman has said that he wants a contract that would make him a member of the Nationals for the rest of his career.

Washington Post

Pudge Spurned Interest From Diamondbacks
Pudge Rodriguez, 40, isn't ready to retire but is being selective about which clubs he talks to as a free agent.

Yahoo! Sports

Official: Braun Ruling Is 'Kick In The Gut To Clean Athletes'
Ryan Braun, the reigning NL MVP, beat Major League Baseball in an appeal of his 50-game suspension.

Jeff Passan/Yahoo! Sports

Kemp Boldly Predicts 50-50 Season
Matt Kemp is striving for 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases this season, something only two players have ever done.

Tim Brown/Yahoo! Sports

Vizquel Likely To Retire After This Season
Veteran shortstop Omar Vizquel says he will likely retire after the 2012 season.

ESPN.com

Yu Darvish Ready To Go For Rangers
Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish wondered what all the fuss was about at his first news conference of spring training.

ESPN.com

Torre, Caruso Withdraw Bid For Dodgers
Joe Torre and Rick Caruso have withdrawn their joint bod to purchase the Dodgers.

ESPN.com

Lincecum Says He's Healthy
Tim Lincecum went all out during his bullpen session Thursday and reported that he felt fine.

ESPN.com

Braun Wins Appeal Of Suspension
Ryan Braun's 50-game suspension was overturned Thursday by baseball arbitrator Shyam Das.

ESPN.com

Yankees, Russell Martin Talking Extension
The Yankees have proposed a new three-year deal with catcher Russell Martin.

ESPN.com