Top News:
Sal Baxamusa / Hardball Times:
MIT Sloan Sports Business Conference Recap — This weekend I attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan Sports Business Conference in Cambridge, Mass. This year's conference focused on the role of analytics in sports management, although, like many business school events …
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StatsGuru / Baseball Musings:
MIT Sloan Sports Business Conference — My thanks go out to the staff of the MIT Sloan Sports Business Conference, especially Patricia Favreau for the press credential. The group staged informative sessions with high powered executives and decision makers.
Discussion:
Dan Agonistes
Kelly Thesier / minnesota.twins.mlb.com:
Mauer catches a long-term deal — Four years, $33 million cements future with hometown team — There was one thing that catcher Joe Mauer couldn't wait to tell Twins general manager Terry Ryan when he talked to him on Sunday morning — that he couldn't be more excited to be behind the plate …
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Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
First, Gossage to enter San Diego Hall of Champions — Goose Gossage is going into a hall of fame Tuesday night. — Just not the Hall of Fame. — Gossage, former Chargers defensive end Gary "Big Hands" Johnson and former Padres President Emil "Buzzie" Bavasi will be inducted …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Associated Press:
Harang gets $36.5 million, 4-year deal from Reds — CINCINNATI (AP) - Right-hander Aaron Harang avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $36.5 million, four-year contract Tuesday that made him the Cincinnati Reds' highest-paid pitcher. — Harang emerged as one of the NL's top starters …
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
Tim Marchman / New York Sun:
Mets Have a Backup Plan for the Backup Plan — At least as much as the next man, I've taken it as a given that the Mets, having not signed or traded for the sort of durable starter they needed over the winter, will enter spring training facing a mounting catastrophe.
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
It's time for pitchers and catchers — Detroit pitchers will try to get those infield throws down, Dice-K will make the transition to American-style baseball and Barry Zito will start justifying the $126 million that's become attached to his name. — That's right: It's time for pitchers and catchers.
Baltimore Sun:
O's planted real spring optimism in offseason — It's hard to believe that the 2007 baseball season is almost upon us. Seems like only a week or so ago, I was in Florida watching the Super Bowl, but that's probably just because time seems to pass faster as you get older.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Traber out to get back on track — Left-hander working on mechanics to win starting role — VIERA, Fla. — Nationals left-hander Billy Traber is one of 12 pitchers who are looking to join John Patterson in the starting rotation, and Traber knows he has a lot to prove to manager Manny Acta.
Karen Crouse / New York Times:
Marlins Wonder if Star's Smile Can Muster Support for New Stadium — The first question posed to David P. Samson, the president of the Florida Marlins, at the annual mixer with the team's players and fans at Dolphin Stadium was as predictable in these parts as a summer rain shower.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Covering new battleground — Hurdle assessing the jobs up for grabs — The Rockies begin reporting to spring training this week with a possible remake of half their Opening Day lineup from a year ago. — Kaz Matsui already has taken over at second base.
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Napoli eats up new diet — Catcher drops weight, adds muscle and hopes to avoid power drought in second half of last season. — Mike Napoli's second-half fade at the plate carried into the off-season, but the result wasn't a lengthy winter-ball slump. The Angels catcher shed 15 pounds …
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Gonzalez' big break: Marlins job means leaving buddies behind — MARIETTA, Ga. — Deep in the heart of Braves country, a tape-measure homer from Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, "The Bagel Boys" are plotting against one of their own. — They've loved Fredi Gonzalez …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Lee Jenkins / New York Times:
Deep Breath as Pitchers Rethink Routines — A dozen of the best pitching prospects in baseball lay side by side in the dark, their eyes closed, their mouths shut, their minds open. — They pulled their sweatshirt hoods over their faces. They let their feet dangle over their yoga mats.