Top News:
ESPN:
Zambrano says he'll walk if Cubs don't sign him — Carlos Zambrano has issued an ultimatum to the Chicago Cubs — sign me now, or say goodbye when the 2007 season is over. — "Whatever happens, I don't want to know [anything] about a contract during the season.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Zambrano: 'I must go' if no deal — Says he's ready to sign, but seeks Zito money — MESA, Ariz. — After announcing at the Cubs Convention he wouldn't discuss a contract extension with the Cubs if they don't come to an agreement before Opening Day, Carlos Zambrano said Monday he's gone if he has to play out the season.
Fox Sports:
Report: Zambrano threatens to bolt Cubs — Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Carlos Zambrano is ready to move on if the team fails to give him a big-bucks contract extension before opening day, according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. — Zambrano, who is thought to be seeking …
Sports Illustrated:
'Bernie should be here' — Rivera blasts Yankees for treatment of Williams — TAMPA, Fla. — Bernie Williams isn't in Yankees camp. But whether he comes or not, it's obvious he's going to be an issue. — Mariano Rivera, the great Yankees closer who'd previously expressed dismay …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
No Williams now, maybe no Mo next year — TAMPA, Florida (AP) - As the New York Yankees prepared to start spring training without Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera talked about the possibility of not being with the team a year from now. — Rivera will get $10.5 million this season …
NY Daily News:
Show respect to one who is still a cutter above — TAMPA - This doesn't seem like a tough one. Until there is some solid evidence that age is stealing the late life from Mariano Rivera's famous cutter, he gets whatever he wants, right? — If he wants to grow tomatoes in the bullpen, the Yankees plant him a garden.
Mike Chiappetta / NBCSports.com:
Brewers preseason preview — Key additions, healed injuries will make Milwaukee dangerous — In the wide open world of the National League Central, the Milwaukee Brewers and their fans should have every reason to believe that their team is capable of staying in contention for the long haul.
Discussion:
The Brewer Chronicles
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Crew brings high expectations to camp — Milwaukee looks to make good use of additions, larger payroll — MILWAUKEE — More than four months have passed since the Brewers played their final inning last summer. With the ceremonial start of 2007 only days away, it's an opportunity to start over.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Lester: From patient to eager — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Maybe it's just part of the code of the so-called man-cave, which, after all, is what a baseball clubhouse really is. Or maybe it's because they're in a business where tough breaks come with the territory; the guy sitting beside …
RELATED:
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Looking good: Lester's return to Sox takes shape in Fort Myers — FORT MYERS - Jon Lester [stats] has seen the looks he is getting from other early arrivals at Red Sox [team stats] spring training camp. He knows exactly what they are thinking. — After missing the final month of last season …
Sports Illustrated:
Villone signs with Yankees — Veteran left-hander agrees to minor-league deal — Ron Villone has agreed to a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees. — He stands to make $2.5 million if he makes the club, which is likely, and an additional $300,000 in incentives based on games pitched.
Joe / Mets Today:
Hatin' on Shawn Green — It's amazing how quickly — and with such finality — New York fans can get down on a particular player. — In a town that boos the greatest baseball player on the planet (perhaps of all time), even after winning the AL MVP, it shouldn't be surprising …
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
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Mark Hale / New York Post:
GREEN: I'M NOT RETIRING — Although a report said Shawn Green is considering hanging up his spikes after this season, the Mets right fielder said yesterday he anticipates playing in 2008. — "There's been no decision on the future at all as far as I'm concerned," the 34-year-old Green told The Post yesterday by phone.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres to give Marine spring tryout — The Padres' ongoing search for baseball talent recently found an unusual source: the United States Marine Corps. The Padres are enlisting Cooper Brannan, a Marine corporal whose service includes two tours of duty in Iraq.
Discussion:
The Griddle
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Winners and losers for baseball's off-season — Spring training is the time for teams to assess their fancy new ensembles. Some clubs will relish their fresh looks. Others quickly will grow wary of what they see. — Practically all of the money is spent now, well past $1 billion all told.
Amy K. Nelson / ESPN:
From Pearl Lagoon to the Back Bay … The Nicaraguan pitcher with a Jamaican inflection and British surname sat in his airy Toronto five-star hotel room this past September, took a deep breath and looked down at his dark, flexed forearms. — "A Pearl Lagoon boy is here," Red Sox pitcher Devern Hansack said.
Mark Zuckerman / Washington Times:
Unanswered questions — They have spent the last four months defending their grand plan to rebuild themselves into a championship-caliber franchise, determined not to deviate from their charted course while trying to convince the general public to climb aboard and enjoy the ride.
Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
In Rebuilding Game, Nats Lead the Braves — Many think that Stan Kasten is crazy or blowing smoke when he claims that his team is "way ahead" of the Braves franchise he rebuilt in the late '80s and transformed into a dynasty. I've been hard on the Nats president for the decision to field …
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Tall expectations for Hirsh — 6-foot-8 Jason Hirsh aims to win over fans, corral big awards — Jason Hirsh knows the concerns of Rockies fans. — And he wants to assure them they can relax. — He knows Jason Jennings is with the Houston Astros. — But the Rockies did OK in that deal …
Discussion:
Purple Row
Gerry Callahan / Boston Herald:
Dice-K's on easy street: Sox do anything, everything for pitcher — Larry Lucchino was sitting on the floor, dressed in stocking feet and a lavender kimono, when he made the stunning announcement to the 7,627 members of the international media who gathered yesterday at Fenway Park [map].
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins win Gregg arbitration case — Reliever will get shot at closing; Cabrera hearing set for Friday — MIAMI — Before three arbitrators on Monday in Arizona, Marlins reliever Kevin Gregg made his pitch for a $125,000 bump in salary. — The panel rejected that argument on Tuesday morning.
Discussion:
The Griddle
