Top News:
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 …
RELATED:
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.
MLB.com:
Hall-of-Famer Don Sutton to provide color commentary on Nationals telecasts beginning in 2007 — The Washington Nationals and the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network announced Monday that Hall-of-Fame pitcher Don Sutton will be the new color analyst for Washington Nationals telecasts in 2007.
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.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
St. Louis gets 2009 All-Star game — ST. LOUIS (AP) — Busch Stadium in St. Louis will host baseball's All-Star game in 2009. — Baseball commissioner Bud Selig made the announcement Monday night at the 49th annual dinner hosted by the St. Louis chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Negotiations heat up to bring back Weaver — The Cardinals could still use another starting pitcher. — Jeff Weaver could use a team. — What appeared to be a long-shot re-signing as recently as two weeks ago now appears to be the defending World Series champions' final offseason priority.
RELATED:
John Beamer / Hardball Times:
Did the Rocket win St Louis the World Series? — If you read the THT mailbag last Wednesday you probably noticed Anthony Weekley's question asking whether the Astros would have made the postseason had Clemens returned at the start of the season rather than waiting until June 22.
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
RELATED:
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.
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?
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 …
Rob Biertempfel / PittsburghLIVE.com:
Pirates' new majority owner thrust into spotlight — TRIBUNE-REVIEW — Bob Nutting did not seem to understand why anyone would want his autograph Sunday night when the Pirates kicked off their annual winter caravan at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. — "I'm not the star here," …
Discussion:
Bucs Trade Winds
RELATED:
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
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Surveying the infield situation — Mets beat reporter Marty Noble answers fans' questions — What do the Mets have planned for Anderson Hernandez in 2007? He could be a reliable, if not spectacular, defensive backup to Jose Valentin. His light hitting is less than ideal coming off the bench.
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.
Associated Press:
Dodgers slide past arbitration, give Hendrickson one-year deal — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers avoided arbitration with pitcher Mark Hendrickson, agreeing Monday to a one-year contract worth $2,925,000. — Hendrickson, a 32-year-old left-hander …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
