Top News:
ESPN:
Don Mattingly not critical of brass — When Dodgers manager Don Mattingly abruptly criticized the lack of fight and competitiveness on his team's “All-Star” roster Wednesday morning, he wasn't aiming that critique at the front office, despite widespread assumptions to the contrary, sources say.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com Sports News …, Federal Baseball and HardballTalk
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Fox Sports:
Dodgers prez sides with Mattingly — When Don Mattingly said Wednesday that the Dodgers could not expect to win simply by putting together a collection of All-Stars, many interpreted the manager's remarks as criticism of the team's front office and ownership. — Dodgers president Stan Kasten did not see it that way.
Discussion:
True Blue LA and HardballTalk
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Don Mattingly, wanting Dodgers to be tougher, benches Andre Ethier
Discussion:
NY Daily News, Los Angeles Times, ESPN, Purple Row and FanGraphs Baseball
Ryan Divish / Mariners Insider:
Change is coming: Mariners to send down Jesus Montero to Tacoma, bring up Jesus Sucre — On the heels of a six-game losing streak and a 2-7 road trip, the Seattle Mariners will make an expected and needed roster move sometime today. — Catcher Jesus Montero will be sent to Triple-A Tacoma …
Master Tesfatsion / MLB.com:10 minutes ago
High ceiling fan: Rangers remind Martin of potential — Moving past ‘Latin style,’ outfielder still learning fundamentals of MLB game — ARLINGTON — Nelson Cruz knows Leonys Martin will be an exciting player. — He felt the need to remind the 25-year-old outfielder during the Rangers' four …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
William Boor / MLB.com:
On comeback trail, Madson dealing with setback — ANAHEIM — Just as it has done so many times before, Ryan Madson's comeback attempt has taken another unexpected twist. — “Hopefully it's just a little glitch,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “I don't think it's anything major, but he needs to get over this.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Alex Speier / Full Count:
Ben Cherington on D&C: In-season contract talks with Jacoby Ellsbury unlikely — Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury is is hitting .249/.318/.340. (AP) — Red Sox GM Ben Cherington, in an appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show, said that the Red Sox have talked at various points …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and Over the Monster
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Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Source: Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox haven't talked contract extension
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Boston Globe, MLB Rumors and NESN.com
Associated Press:
Fielder's Single Gives Tigers 7-6 Win Over Twins — DETROIT — Prince Fielder bounced a tiebreaking single off Jared Burton's glove in the eighth inning, leading the Detroit Tigers to a 7-6 come-from-behind victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town and Bless You Boys
AJ Cassavell / MLB.com:
Pineda goes five innings in extended spring game — Right-hander underwent surgery last May to repair a torn labrum — Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda was acquired in a trade with the Mariners on Jan. 23, 2012. (AP) — Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda tossed five innings …
Click2Houston.com:
Local 2 Investigates: Ball park food on bathroom floor — Snow cone vendor uses toilet, takes food with him … HOUSTON - — The Houston Astros are winning, the hot dogs are selling, and all is right with the world at Minute Maid Park. But not inside a men's restroom.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, NESN.com, Big Lead Sports and Business Insider
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Larry Millson / Baseball America:
Transfer Rule Allowed Andy Burns To Fall To Blue Jays — TORONTO—Andy Burns might have gone higher in the 2011 draft if he had played his junior year at Arizona. — Instead, he was ruled ineligible to play that year because he had transferred from Kentucky during the summer.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Choo's stock rising with play for Reds in contract year — Veteran outfielder, pending free agent, likely to attract plenty of attention — CINCINNATI — A revelation who has already exceeded high expectations, center fielder Shin-Soo Choo has been everything and more than the win-now Reds …
Discussion:
Red Reporter and MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
McCutchen paces Pirates to fourth straight win — Recap — Box Score — Play-By-Play — Photos — Conversation — Andrew McCutchen, Pirates beat Cubs for 4th straight win — PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen had three hits and two RBIs to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates past …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout and ESPN
Teddy Cahill / MLB.com:
Mets showing confidence in Plawecki — Catching prospect ‘ready to move’ to next challenge in club's eyes — Even though catcher Kevin Plawecki struggled offensively last summer after the Mets selected him in the supplemental round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, ESPN and Metsblog
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Wheeler expected to make 2-3 more starts in minors, then join Mets: source — The Mets have clearly reached the countdown stage to Zack Wheeler's major league debut. — A high-ranking team official told The Post on Thursday that barring a setback, the club's top pitching prospect is expected …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com
Fox Sports:
Setbacks can't keep Neal Cotts down — Joe Bick rattles off the date — Feb. 10, 2012. It was the day Bick, an agent, broke difficult news to his client, left-hander Neal Cotts. — “Neal, it's heartbreaking for me to tell you this, but I think we've run out of chances,” Bick recalls saying.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Lone Star Ball
