Major League Baseball

There will be no long-term contract for pitcher Josh Johnson with the Florida Marlins this winter, his agent said Friday. Agent Matt Sosnick told ESPN.com that negotiations between the Marlins and Johnson have reached an "impasse," and Johnson expects to play under a one-year deal in 2010. Johnson will be eligible for free agency after the 2011 season, and a failure to reach agreement on a multiyear contract would probably force the Marlins to explore a trade before then.

Based on our conversations, there's no chance of doing a long-term deal with the Marlins   -Matt Sosnick

 

North coach Mike Meadows, also a former Seahawk baseball player, is happy to see one of the stars from his powerful program sign with his alma mater. "I think it's a great fit," Meadows said. "Coach (Mark) Scalf is a very personable coach. He's a players coach. I feel confident sending any of my kids down there."

I think it’s a great fit   -Mike Meadows

 

Today is Saturday, Nov. 21, the 325th day of 2009. There are 40 days left in the year. Today's Highlight in History:  

Major League Baseball has the perfect gift to bust a budget in a recession. A 20-DVD set of World Series films can be bought for $2,229, and it contains authenticated autographs of 12 Hall of Famers, including Yogi Berra, Bob Gibson, Reggie Jackson and Mike Schmidt. A limited edition run of 100 sets was put together by Major League Baseball Productions, A&E Home Entertainment and Mounted Memories, the companies said Friday.  

East Carolina has added three years to the contract of baseball coach Billy Godwin, the school announced Friday. Godwin, who led the Pirates to within two wins of the College World Series last season, is secured through 2014. His contract was set to expire on June 30, 2011.

We are pleased to do everything we can to keep Billy Godwin as our coach   -Terry Holland

 

It is the third consecutive season in which the defending NL Central champions have raised prices in the 4-year-old new Busch Stadium. Patrons on Friday began receiving their renewal invoices. About half of season-ticket holders will experience an increase of one dollar or less per ticket, with approximately one-third seeing no bump at all, according to team President Bill DeWitt III.

We based it on what was the demand seat by seat   -Bill DeWitt III

 

With acknowledgment of and apologies to Cleon Jones, Rusty Staub, Darryl Strawberry, Mike Piazza and David Wright, the Mets usually have made their bones on the mound. Once the franchise established itself, pitching became the most prominent and critical component, and it has remained in the forefront despite challenges from the guys in the batter's box. First it was Tom and Jerry (Seaver and Koosman); then Doc and Darling, then Coney, Sid and Sabes.  

The opening of the baseball free-agent season this week has also sparked talk of a possible Roy Halladay trade. Potential suitors for the Toronto Blue Jays ace pitcher have started lining up, with the Chicago Cubs making their intentions known on Friday. The National League club is one team Blue Jays brass has contacted, MLB.com reported on Friday.

I think I have to be open-minded to anything that can make this ball club better going forward and better for the long-term   -Alex Anthopoulos

 

The Cubs kicked off the free agent season Friday with a move that had been telegraphed since September, officially re-signing John Grabow to a two-year, $7.5 million deal. The 31-year-old reliever will be their primary left-handed setup man and is expected to be the leader of a relatively young bullpen he Carlos Marmol and Angel Guzman will anchor. Grabow, who called his decision to stay a "no-brainer," professes to be ready for the challenge.  

Moving to protect their Minor Leaguers from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, the Yankees shifted seven players onto their 40-man roster late Friday afternoon. The Yankees also outrighted Shelley Duncan to the Minors, removing him from the 40-man roster. Doing so kept the roster at 39, giving the Yankees the opportunity to make one selection in the Rule 5 Draft if they desire.