Top News:
Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
SPRING TRAINING: Moose to Carl: Show us — TAMPA, Fla. - Carl Pavano brushed aside questions about any work he needs to do in the clubhouse, saying his bad reputation among teammates is overhyped by the media. — "I think it's just something you guys have had fun with," Pavano said yesterday …
RELATED:
Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Moose slams Pavano again — TAMPA, Fla. — Carl Pavano insisted today that his reputation and standing in the Yankees clubhouse is fine, and that any mention to the contrary is a creation by the media. — A few lockers away, Mike Mussina disputed that notion with shocking honesty, questioning Pavano's will to pitch for the Yankees.
Associated Press:
Mussina says Pavano has much to prove to Yankees — TAMPA, Fla. — Carl Pavano and Mike Mussina pitched off adjacent mounds in the bullpen as the New York Yankees started spring training workouts Thursday. — A short while later, Mussina said the oft-injured Pavano isn't in sync with his teammates just yet.
Discussion:
Oriole Post
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Bonds, Giants agree; MLB approves — Slugger expected to report to training camp by Monday — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Barry Bonds contract odyssey has come to an end. The Giants announced on Thursday that the club and the left-handed-hitting slugger have signed off on his one-year …
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Associated Press:
Zito unveils pitching changes on first day with Giants — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Barry Zito unveiled a different delivery on his first day with the San Francisco Giants, making at least one of his new coaches a little nervous. — Pitching coach Dave Righetti went as far as to say the tweaks Zito …
Associated Press:
After long delay, Bonds signs on the dotted line — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Barry Bonds finally signed his $15.8 million, one-year contract Thursday, and the slugger is scheduled to report to spring training Monday. — That means he will likely participate in the San Francisco Giants' first full-squad workout Tuesday.
Associated Press:
Lo Duca seeking contract extension with Mets — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New York Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca is completely healthy following offseason thumb surgery — and he would love a contract extension. — "I've been vocal that I want to stay here," the four-time All-Star said Thursday after reporting to spring training.
Discussion:
Baseball Crank
RELATED:
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
New year, new hope for Penn … FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. // First, it was Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo who sought out pitcher Hayden Penn in the clubhouse this morning and gave the pitcher a brief pep talk, telling him to relax and be himself. — Moments later, hitting coach Terry Crowley visited Penn …
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Richard Barbieri / Hardball Times:
This Annotated Week in Baseball History: Feb. 11-17, 2006 — On Feb. 14 across the world, Valentine's Day is celebrated. So what better day to look back at some of the best and worst of baseball Valentines? — As with most history, there is much debate as to the history of Valentine's Day.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Associated Press:
Cubs' Wood takes a spill, but shouldn't miss much time — MESA, Ariz. — Oft-injured Kerry Wood is out again — this time because of a flub in a hot tub. — The Chicago Cubs pitcher is not expected to throw off the mound for a few days after he slipped this week getting out of a hot tub at home.
RELATED:
Jeff Sackmann / Hardball Times:
Ranking Organizations — If you want to rely on statistical measures, how do you rank a farm system? It's tough enough to compare two disparate prospects, let alone measure two entire organizations against each other. For John Burnson's Graphical Player 2007, I tried to overcome …
Discussion:
A CITIZEN'S BLOG
Rbrianc / Halos Heaven:
They're back! Angels in Tempe Today — Moved From the Diaries Thanks to rbrianc — There's not much comparable in the baseball season than the first day of spring practice. I was there with a contingent of Angel Nation when they hit the field this morning (since there were only 5 or 6 of us there …
Chicago Sun Times:
Tribune on trial — Bartman or a billy goat usually get blamed, but there's a Tower full of bean-counters behind baseball's beloved bunglers — It's the trial of the century in the Court of Public Opinion. Case No. 1908, the People of Chicago vs. Tribune Co. The charge …
RELATED:
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:Ozzie: The appetite's back — Sox skipper 'hungry …
Discussion:
MLB.com
Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Japanese star shows humor, directness, diplomacy — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Daisuke Matsuzaka revealed Thursday that his first pitch to a spring training opponent will be a fastball. — He also revealed a side of his personality that could endear him to Red Sox fans even before he throws that pitch.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Boston Herald:
MLB: Rivera would even listen to Sox — Mariano Rivera had this warning for the New York Yankees: If he becomes a free agent, he'll consider offers from other teams, including the Red Sox [team stats]. — "Everybody has the same shot," Rivera said yesterday in Tampa. "The Yankees will not have an advantage."
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Getting to the center of Griffey's move to right — When the Orioles wanted to move Cal Ripken Jr. to third base after the 1996 season, they sold him on the idea by acquiring a superior defensive shortstop, Mike Bordick. — Ken Griffey Jr. isn't as reluctant as Ripken was to change positions.
Jim Salisbury / Miami Herald:
Calmly, Burrell answers critics and looks ahead — CLEARWATER, Fla. - It seems as if everyone has had his say about Pat Burrell this winter. — Guys on bar stools. Guys in barbershops. The newspapers. The talk shows. E-mailers. Internet message boards. Bloggers. Dallas Green.
Discussion:
The Good Phight
