Twins might be near making offer to Blake

Jamie Squire, Getty Images

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 02: Casey Blake #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reaches first on an error by Derrek Lee #25 of the Chicago Cubs in Game Two of the NLDS during the 2008 MLB Playoffs at Wrigley Field on October 2, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois.

By STAFF and WIRE REPORTS

Last update: November 21, 2008 - 5:55 AM

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The Twins haven't made a formal offer to free agent third baseman Casey Blake, but the sides have made progress discussing the framework of a potential deal -- length and general salary range -- his agent, Jim McDowell, said Thursday.

McDowell said eight teams expressed interest in Blake but only four including the Twins have discussed a contract.

Other teams with interest include the Indians and the Dodgers, though Los Angeles is believed to first need answers to other questions, with a list of their own free agents including Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe, Rafael Furcal and a reported interest in CC Sabathia.

Blake, 35, had two stints with the Twins before establishing himself as an everyday player with Cleveland in 2002. He batted .274 with 21 homers and 81 RBI last season with Cleveland and the Dodgers.

"One of the things that is so attractive about Minnesota is he knows the area, he knows the stadium, he knows the people," McDowell said. "All the feedback that I get from him about the Twins is positive."

JOE CHRISTENSEN

Yankees control shifts to Steinbrenner's son

George Steinbrenner's colorful 35-year reign of pronouncements, threats and firings as owner of the New York Yankees ended Thursday when he passed control of baseball's most famous franchise to his youngest son, Hal.

The elder Steinbrenner has gradually withdrawn from the Yankees' day-to-day operations in recent years.

"I realize it's a great responsibility," said Hal Steinbrenner, who turns 40 on Dec. 3. "My dad is, needless to say, a tough act to follow."

George Steinbrenner, now 78, headed a group that bought the club in January 1973 for an $8.7 million net price and became one of the most high-profile owners in all of sports.

• Yankees veteran righthander Mike Mussina walked away from baseball after his only 20-victory season, a month shy of his 40th birthday with a still-potent right arm. He finished his career with a 270-153 record and a 3.68 ERA in 18 seasons.

"I don't have any regrets with what I decided. This is the right time," Mussina said.

Etc.

• Three-time All-Star Chase Utley, who anchored the middle of the lineup for the World Series champion Phillies, will have right hip surgery and might not be ready for the start of the 2009 regular season.

• Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced the sport will enact a rules change stating that postseason games cannot be shortened because of bad weather.

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