Top News:
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Willis avoids arbitration, agrees to one-year deal — Dontrelle Willis has become a foundational player on and off the field. The Marlins recognize that and are paying him as such. — Monday, the Marlins and Willis agreed to a one-year, $6.45 million contract to avoid arbitration.
Discussion:
FishStripes
RELATED:
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Willis, Marlins agree on contract — Florida ace avoids arbitration with one-year, $6.45 million deal — MIAMI — Based on performance, Dontrelle Willis has posted numbers that rank up with some of the top young pitchers in the Major Leagues. — The Marlins' ace left-hander now is being paid accordingly.
Associated Press:
Willis, Marlins agree to $6.45 million, 1-year deal … By Steven Wine — MIAMI // Newlywed Dontrelle Willis expects to become a first-time father in May, and saving for his daughter's college tuition should be no problem. — The Florida Marlins ace agreed Monday to a one-year contract …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Mailbag: How's the rotation shaping up? — Nationals beat reporter Bill Ladson answers fans' questions … What do you think about the Nationals not offering Frank Robinson any kind of paying job with the team? — David B., Vienna, Va. — The Lerner group paid more than $400 million …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Sutton named Nationals' color analyst — Hall of Famer to join Carpenter in broadcasting booth — WASHINGTON — Hall of Famer Don Sutton was named the Nationals' color analyst for the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network on Monday. He will join play-by-play broadcaster Bob Carpenter in the booth for more than 150 regular-season games.
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
Tom Timmermann / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
City gets '09 All-Star Game — The Cardinals celebrated their 2006 World Series title on Monday night at the annual baseball writers banquet and got an extra gift when Commissioner Bud Selig announced that Busch Stadium would be the host for the 2009 All-Star Game.
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Sheffield Makes Noise Again, This Time in a Book — In an autobiography to be published this spring, Gary Sheffield, a player famous for voicing his displeasure, describes his relationship with Barry Bonds, his link to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative steroid distribution case …
Discussion:
D-Town Baseball
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Second player needed for LaRoche deal, but who? — Pirates, Braves still stuck on Atlanta first baseman — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — The Pirates are, by all accounts, casting a wide net in their search for a left-handed power bat, particularly in light …
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Mets Clear a Comeback Trail for Sierra — How can you like a guy like this? — Rubén Sierra is batting in the ninth inning of a game against Texas, the last game before the All-Star Game last July. Minnesota is down by three runs with a runner on second base, two out and Joe Mauer on deck.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Alan Schwarz / ESPN:
Delmon could be a dangerous weapon — The assignment is to identify the "hottest rookie" who will begin the season in the major leagues. Thank goodness I can sidestep defining "hot." Because first, a definition of "rookie" is in order. — Like it or not, Daisuke Matsuzaka …
Discussion:
Devil Rays Blog
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Why shuffle Hall to outfield? — Beat reporter Adam McCalvy answers Brewers fans' questions — Straight to the mailbag, beginning with a sample of questions and comments on a topic I've heard plenty about. — Can you explain the rationale behind moving Bill Hall to the outfield?
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Sammy Sosa works out for Rangers — Free agent did not play in Major Leagues in 2006 — ARLINGTON — The Rangers worked out free agent outfielder Sammy Sosa on Monday at Ameriquest Field in Arlington. — Sosa also met with general manager Jon Daniels over dinner Monday night.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Mailbag: How will Diaz fare in 2007? — Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers Rangers fans' questions … Victor Diaz was picked up last year in a relatively quiet move. I know he was pretty highly touted in the Mets system and have wondered why he's not getting more play here as a designated hitter or fourth outfielder.
