Top News:
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
JETER DROPS THE BALL AS CAPTAIN — These have not been questions about his relationship with Jessica Biel or Mariah Carey or whatever starlet of the moment Derek Jeter was romancing. — When it comes to that, Jeter is right. His off-the-field associations have nothing to do with on-the-field results.
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NY Daily News:
Score it an error on — Derek for big chill — TAMPA - Forced to respond to Alex Rodriguez's portrait of a faded friendship, Derek Jeter sat in the same dugout a day later and had something to get off his chest. — Really? He was finally going to roll down the tinted windows that guard …
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Top 100 Prospects — In his first year at Baseball Prospectus, Kevin Goldstein combined his eye for talent, his broad network of sources and his unique blend of skills analysis and performance analysis to bring minor-league coverage to BP. Now, he synthesizes that information into a complete ranking …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Source: Young has offer from Rangers — Shortstop, team won't discuss negotiations for long-term deal — egrant@dallasnews.com — SURPRISE, Ariz. - The sound of silence is deafening. — According to a major league source, the Rangers have offered shortstop Michael Young a contract extension …
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David Lennon / Newsday:
A fountain of youth on tap — Aided by light beer, Alou hopes to remain healthy and produce — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Moises Alou doesn't credit any miracle diet or magic elixir for his ability to remain one of the game's most accomplished hitters at the age of 40.
Discussion:
The FanHouse
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Charlie Nobles / MLB.com:
Alou intent on returning to playoffs — At 40 years old, veteran outfielder not ready for retirement — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — As the Giants' 2006 season was winding down, Moises Alou began thinking seriously that it would be his final year as a Major Leaguer.
Todd Zolecki / Mercury News:
Jimmy Rollins reiterates: Phillies will win NL East — CLEARWATER, Fla. - He said it. He meant it. — So Jimmy Rollins repeated his proclamation, saying Tuesday that the Phillies - a team that hasn't made the postseason since 1993 - is the team to beat in the National League East.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Todd Zolecki / Philly.com:
Werth's healthy outlook — His wrist healed, he's eager to play. — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Jayson Werth showed up at Bright House Networks Field yesterday with intentions to resurrect a baseball career that seemed near its end just last summer. — It's incredible how one pitch can change a life.
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Owners will wait and see on Schill — FORT MYERS - Curt Schilling [stats] said he plans to file for free agency after the season if he doesn't receive a contract extension before the end of spring training but it appears the Red Sox [team stats] are not in a hurry to give him one.
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
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Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Henry drives points home — FORT MYERS, Fla. — He's still a whiter shade of pale and wears a hat that makes us think of the man in the Curious George books. He's still checking on pork bellies and hedge funds at 4 a.m. He's still a notorious low-talker and yesterday he was probably …
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Ichiro may leave — M's star admits thinking about free agency — PEORIA, Ariz. — Mariners icon Ichiro Suzuki admitted for the first time Tuesday that he might leave Seattle after the 2007 season. — Stopping far short of saying he wanted out, Ichiro said the idea of becoming a free agent …
C. Trent Rosecrans / Cincinnati Post:
Yankees refugee Crosby likes camaraderie on Reds — SARASOTA, Fla. - When Bubba Crosby walked into the Reds clubhouse at the City of Sarasota Sports Complex for the first time, he saw something he wasn't really used to, guys hugging each other and talking about dinner plans.
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Baker transforms himself into ultimate utility player — TUCSON - Jeff Baker was a concern for the Rockies last year. He was headed into the final year of a four-year, major league contract he signed with them when he came out of Clemson. The first three seasons had created more questions than answers.
Discussion:
Purple Row
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Baseball America:
Prospect Q&A: Jacob McGee — Part of a large group of interesting prospects who are making their way up through the Devil Rays' system, Jacob McGee has the potential to be a power lefty atop a contender's rotation. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder features a fastball that sits in the 90-94 range …
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Padilla Says He Still Has Something Up His Sleeve — As Juan Padilla closed his eyes and turned away, Jorge Sosa showed a crowd of onlookers his card — the two of diamonds — before he shoved it into the bottom of the deck. Padilla shuffled the cards with a little too much force, and most of them crashed to the ground.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Fox Sports:
Top 10 Spring Training position battles — Pitchers and catchers have arrived in Arizona and Florida, position players are filtering in, and before you know it Cactus and Grapefruit League play will begin. — That means it's time to start thinking about spring training implications.
Mark Hale / New York Post:
DELGADO BELIEVES — AFTER SURGERY, CARLOS CLAIMS HE'LL BE BETTER — Plenty of things Carlos Delgado did last year were terrific. He was a major addition to the Mets' team and lineup, and acquiring him before last season was undoubtedly critical to their NL East crown.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Walker content to be with contender — PEORIA, Ariz. - Todd Walker smiled and spoke cheerfully yesterday, even as rain clouds scudded overhead at Padres camp, even as figurative clouds drifted over his career. — "These things play themselves out over the year," said Walker, who wore a green Lucky Charms shirt.
Associated Press:
MLB's synthetic caps designed to wick away sweat — BUFFALO, N.Y. — One question facing baseball this season: Will cooler heads prevail? — On Opening Day, the sport will doff the traditional wool cap in favor of a new polyester blend model designed to wick away sweat before it can stream down a player's face.
