Top News:
Associated Press:
Rivera says he'll consider offers from other teams — TAMPA, Fla. — Mariano Rivera had this warning for the New York Yankees: If he becomes a free agent, he'll consider offers from other teams. — "Everybody has the same shot," he said Wednesday. "The Yankees will not have an advantage."
RELATED:
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets' Wright stays grounded — Despite increasing off-field distractions, Wright says his primary focus is baseball — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — David Wright was thrilled this winter when he was selected as the cover athlete for MLB 07: The Show, an honor previously held by Red Sox slugger David Ortiz.
George King / New York Post:
RIVERA AWAITING GM'S PITCH — Mariano Rivera a Red Sox? It could happen. — Sitting in his car outside Legends Field yesterday, Rivera was asked by The Post if he could be Boston's closer next year. — "You never know," said Rivera, who is determined to become a free agent …
Discussion:
NY Daily News
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Scrub pitcher moves into Bernie's locker — TAMPA - The Yankees gave away Bernie Williams' spring locker at Legends Field yesterday, hanging the No. 60 jersey of fringe reliever Jose Veras inside and putting up a new nameplate. There were even several pieces of fan mail for Veras tucked inside the stall.
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
Associated Press:
Nats agree to minor league deal with Young — VIERA, Fla. — Former All-Star Dmitri Young agreed to a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, getting another chance after the Detroit Tigers cut him last year following legal and substance-abuse problems.
RELATED:
Washington Post:
Young, Batista Will Get a Look — On the day before their pitchers and catchers held their first workout, the Washington Nationals added two more low-risk bargains to the fold, signing one-time sluggers Dmitri Young and Tony Batista to minor league contracts.
Steve Silva / Extra Bases:
DiNardo to A's — Cross Lenny DiNardo off your list of potential Red Sox closers for 2007 because he's headed for Oakland. The A's claimed DiNardo off waivers today. — The Red Sox announced that right fielder J.D. Drew, who signed a $70 million deal with Boston as a free agent on January 26 …
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
RELATED:
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Notes: Kotchman ready to regain job — First baseman healthy after missing most of 2006 season — TEMPE, Ariz. — Casey Kotchman was possibly the happiest player in Angels camp Wednesday. — After a year of frustration in which a stubborn bout with mononucleosis caused …
RELATED:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Determined Vargas Vies for Mets' Rotation — Five-year-old Jason Vargas scampered around the batting cage, helping some of the Victor Valley High players retrieve balls, when he reached a milestone in his development. Vargas did not notice a pitch hurtling toward the plate when he trotted out to grab a stray ball.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Wrigley to feature Under Armour ads — Signs will be first allowed on stadium's outfield doors — MESA, Ariz. — The green doors tucked into the ivy in the left- and right-field bleachers of Wrigley Field will be decorated with 7-by-12 foot advertisements, touting Under Armour's signature logo.
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Future Shock — Organizational Rankings — It's generally accepted that the legendary Branch Rickey devised the universally used 20-80 scouting scale. The actual origin of the scale is a bit of a mystery, but some believe it's based on a scientific scale used in some fields that revolves around a median …
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Spring's 10 burning questions — With pitchers and catchers officially reporting Thursday, all we have are questions without definitive answers. — It's always fun to take a gander, though, so here are 10 of the biggest issues entering this season and our best ripostes. — Sure.
Adam Rubin / NY Mets Blog:
Help David Wright Choose a New Theme Song — David Wright wants your help. He's asking Surfing the Mets readers to help him pick a successor to the Beastie Boys' Brass Monkey for when he enters the batter's box at Shea. — "Seriously," Wright said about enlisting this blog's help.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Mike Fish / ESPN:
Martinez rehabs with controversial fitness guru … SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Pedro Martinez continues to stand by controversial fitness guru and massage therapist Angel "Nao" Presinal. And Presinal, in turn, promises to deliver something sure to brighten the New York Mets' pennant …
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Giants expect Bonds in camp next week — Slugger has yet to sign contract after rejected clause deleted — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Though Barry Bonds' contract situation still appears to be tangled, it could be heading toward some sort of resolution. — Giants general manager Brian Sabean told …
