19-year veteran slated to get bulk of action in 2005
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com. The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired veteran catcher Benito Santiago on Thursday from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor league right-hander Leo Nunez.
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It is rare enough for a 40-year-old quarterback to find a fresh start. It is rarer still that the new team decides the best thing about its offense is that 40-year-old arm.
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When talks between the Diamondbacks and Yankees resume Monday, Arizona is expected to turn up the heat by asking for the entire $19.5 million difference between Javier Vazquez&#39;s contract ($35.5 million) and Randy Johnson&#39;s 2005 salary ($16 million).
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At an age when most players are casting one eye toward retirement, Minnesota Wild netminder Niklas Backstrom is looking to make the most his a long-awaited first opportunity in the NHL.
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Other than the obvious voids that must be filled in the coaching staff, the outlook for the 2005 Patriots is quite good in terms of retaining top players and still being able to add talent to a very talented team.
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No, his position in the starting lineup isn&#39;t solidified after one preseason game, and there&#39;s a big question mark surrounding his future.
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Justin Speier thinks general managers around the majors realize more than ever the importance of a strong bullpen. That concept landed the 33-year-old right-hander a four-year, $18 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
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Derek Jeter will learn if his .342 batting average and 97 runs batted in, his best numbers in seven years, are good enough to earn him his first American League M.V.P. award.
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When Derek Jeter was a 19-year-old shortstop for Single A Tampa, manager Jake Gibbs watched him play a few games and gave Jeter the green light on the bases. Gibbs trusted Jeter's instincts so much that he was comfortable letting him decide when he should try and steal.
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Julio Franco may have finally run out of at-bats. The New York Mets cut the 48-year-old utilityman Thursday, opting to give 22-year-old outfielder Lastings Milledge another chance in the majors.
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ANAHEIM, Calif., (Sports Network) - Roger Clemens let it be  known on Saturday that if he plays in 2005, he'll only pitch  for the Houston Astros.
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For the second straight year, more than 200 players have filed for free agency, which would have suited former Oakland A's owner Charlie Finley just fine.
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He has won 20. He has saved 50. And now that he&#39;s back in the Braves&#39; starting rotation, he&#39;ll probably win 20 again. John Smoltz last started a game back in the 2001 season.
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Coach: Tim Murphy (73-46, 13th year). 2005 finish: 7-3 (5-2, tied for second)
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The Detroit Tigers&#39; young right-hander has been going through a rough stretch. His 21-year-old brain was being overloaded with too many thoughts about mechanics.
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The 6-2, 288-pound Johnson will move to the Broncos&#39; exempt/commissioner permission list -- that means he could be activated to the 53-man roster within two weeks.
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Rookie manager Lee Mazzilli knew all along he would be back in the dugout next season with the Baltimore Orioles. Having gained on-the-job experience in guiding the team to a third-place finish this year, he expects to accomplish even more in 2005.