Top News:
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Several rule changes in effect for 2007 — Alterations address ties, pace of game, official scoring — Taking a red pencil to the game's rules for the first time in more than a decade, MLB's Playing Rules Committee has enacted several changes for the 2007 season. — Relax: It's still the game you know and love.
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MLB.com:
Playing Rules Committee implements changes for 2007 season — A substantial number of changes made to the Official Baseball Rules by the Playing Rules Committee will be in effect at the Major League level during the 2007 season, it was announced today. — Under Major League Rule 25(c) …
StatsGuru / Baseball Musings:
Rule Changes — A number of changes to the rules go into effect this year. MLB will try to eliminate tie games. In the past, if a game was tied after the fifth inning and conditions made it impossible to finish, it was ruled a tie. The stats counted, but the game was made up so that a team had 162 decisions.
Discussion:
D-Town Baseball
Associated Press:
Scuffing baseball could lead to 10-game suspension for non-pitchers — NEW YORK (AP) — A major league position player who scuffs or defaces a baseball would be ejected and receive an automatic 10-game suspension under changes approved Friday by the sport's playing rules committee.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Pitcher makes attitude adjustment — Lopez looking for fresh start following horrible season in AL — When Rodrigo Lopez contemplated his future, his past steered him in a new direction. If he was really going to start fresh with the Rockies, he had to let go of the old things.
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Ayala Is Upbeat On Mound — The last time Luis Ayala threw off a mound at the Washington Nationals' training complex, he had a solid major league season behind him and was looking forward to another. That was last February. — In between then and Friday morning, Ayala pitched for Mexico …
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Sports Illustrated:
After missing out on big-name pitchers, Mets still have money to spend — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -The New York Mets missed out on signing a big-name pitcher this winter, which means general manager Omar Minaya has money left to spend if he can find one in a trade. — "He has room,'' owner Fred Wilpon said Saturday.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Masset might fit in pitching rotation — TUCSON, Ariz. — The competition for the fifth spot in the White Sox rotation is getting more crowded. — Pitching coach Don Cooper said Friday that newly acquired Nick Masset may be evaluated as a starter, a role he has performed …
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers' pitchers will be put to test — egrant@dallasnews.com — SURPRISE, Ariz. - New manager Ron Washington officially starts the daunting task of prepping a Rangers pitching staff this weekend. — Here's how he plans to do it: He plans to put all the pressure on the pitchers.
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Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Trading Zambrano has upside — Cubs could obtain bonanza if they can stomach a deal — With Carlos Zambrano, Jermaine Dye and Mark Buehrle eligible for free agency after this season, Chicago sports columnists and talk-radio hosts should send thank-you cards to the respective front offices of the Cubs and White Sox.
Greg Johns / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Edgar's life after baseball — Two years into retirement, Martinez runs a Redmond business and proves you can walk away from the game — REDMOND — It's not Safeco Field. Or Yankee Stadium. Or Camden Yards. It's a small office in a nondescript business park a few blocks from Marymoor Park.
Discussion:
The Biz of Baseball
Associated Press:
Cabrera's arbitration win is first for player this year — PHOENIX — Miguel Cabrera became the first player to win in salary arbitration this year when the Florida Marlins' All-Star third baseman was awarded a $7.4 million salary on Saturday instead of the team's offer of $6.7 million.
Tom Withers / Associated Press:
Expected to close for Indians, Keith Foulke retires — CLEVELAND (AP) — Before he got a chance to finish another game, Keith Foulke closed his career. — Foulke, whose toss to first base for the final out ended an 86-year World Series title drought for the Boston Red Sox …
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Devil Ray performs under pressure — ST. PETERSBURG - Infielder Ty Wigginton came through with a lot of big hits for the Devil Rays last season. But that was nothing like the way he delivered during the offseason. — When his wife, Angela, went into intense labor two weeks early …
Discussion:
Rays of Light
Mike Krukow / MSNBC:
Cubs' pitch to win is still Prior and Wood — Big bucks spent on roster rework can't ensure health of key hurlers — The Cubs are coming off the worst record in the National League, and off a $300-million spending spree this winter aimed at player improvements.
E.S.K. / TheWisconsinSportsBar:
The Season Starts Today — As I type this right now, there are little more than 4 hours til pitchers and catchers officially report to duty. I am not overstating my case when I say that this is one of the most important seasons in Milwaukee Brewer history.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Opening pitch — Matsuzaka speaks the language in first outing at spring training — FORT MYERS, Fla. — There might be nothing better than illusion. — "Hmm. How should I answer that question?" Daisuke Matsuzaka said yesterday, through his translator, media relations employee Sachiyo Sekiguchi …
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