Top News:
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 …
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.
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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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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.
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 …
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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.
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 …
Paul Newberry / Associated Press:
Blue-collar pitcher: James back to mound after installing windows — KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Need a reliable starting pitcher? Chuck James is your man. — Looking for someone to install a set of double-pane windows or put in a new door? He can handle that, too.
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.
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.
Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Today — Invitations to the Dance — It's fair to say that in my quest to find interesting things to write about, I focus a bit to much on the obscure relative to the obvious. Certainly, me and a lot of guys who look like me put way too much emphasis on the secondary channels …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Acta looking for clubhouse leaders — Nationals vets, Zimmerman among those doing dirty work — VIERA, Fla. — During his five years as manager of the Nationals/Expos, Frank Robinson was always looking for leaders on and off the field, but they never surfaced.
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.