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 …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
'Healed' Guzman Sits Out — Though his injured shoulder is healthy, Washington Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman didn't throw during the club's first full-squad workouts Tuesday and will be held out until later in the week. — Guzman had an MRI exam on his surgically repaired right shoulder Monday …
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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 …
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington
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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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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:
Baseball Analysts, NY Mets Blog, The Good Phight, Amazin' Avenue, Yankees 2000, Always Amazin' and Can't Stop The Bleeding
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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 …
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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.
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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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 …
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Wood moving to third base — Position change could help the organization's top power prospect get to the majors faster. — TEMPE, Ariz. — Speculation turned to reality Wednesday when the Angels began working shortstop Brandon Wood, the organization's best position-playing and power prospect …
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.
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.
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
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.