Top News:
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Helton weighing in on hefty issue — Tucson - Weight and see. Welcome to Todd Helton's experiment this season. — Helton, mindful of critics and eager to rejuvenate his career, underwent a radical physical transformation, bulking up from his sickness-induced 200 pounds to approximately 230.
RELATED:
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Sullivan's bat must spit fire — Arrival of Taveras, Finley sends clear message in center — TUCSON - In December, the Rockies acquired speedy Willy Taveras as part of a package from Houston for right-handed pitcher Jason Jennings, a not-so- subtle message that Cory Sullivan's two-year claim to the center field job was in jeopardy.
Rocky Mountain News:
Krieger: Word to the wise: Finley a catch — TUCSON - At first blush, granted, signing a 41-year-old center fielder a week into spring training smacks of desperation. And frankly, there is a little of that going on. — If the Rockies had no doubts about Willy Taveras and Cory Sullivan …
Steve Popper / NorthJersey.com:
Peterson helps 'lost' pitcher gain new direction — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — When Oliver Perez arrived in New York last season, he admitted that he was lost. The simplest solution was for Rick Peterson to provide a map. — "If someone says to you, 'I'm lost,' what would be the first thing that you would respond?"
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
RELATED:
David Lennon / Newsday:
Peterson's pitch: Show & talk — Coach helps hurlers grow with unorthodox communication method — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — As the Mets prepare to begin their auditions for the rotation and bullpen, a few of them might want to stop off at Blockbuster so they can get a better idea of what pitching coach Rick Peterson is talking about.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Gordon Edes / Extra Bases:
Q&A transcript — Greg Genske, one of Manny Ramirez's agents, met with reporters after Manny reported this morning. Here's a transcript (with some comments from Gene Matos, Manny's other agent, further below): — Why is Manny here today? — "He was ready to report, and he's excited to be here."
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch, Yanksfan vs Soxfan, El Guapo's Ghost Rambles …, SawxBlog and The Joy of Sox
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Bob Herzog / Newsday:
Minor Leagues — Edgardo Alfonzo joins Ducks — Add former Mets All-Star Edgardo Alfonzo to the flock of Ducks who see the Long Island team in the independent Atlantic League as a stepping stone back to the majors. — The popular infielder known as "Fonzie" yesterday was acquired …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Sunday's spring training report — egrant@dallasnews.com — Fair or foul — Stats (Foul): Manager Ron Washington dismissed trying to rank fielders. "For me, defense is done on the field, not on paper," he said. — Cruzing (Down the line): He's seen nothing besides batting practice fastballs …
RELATED:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Future Mets outfielders show promise — Prospect Martinez displays extraordinary power at young age — Hot topic: He is listed at 6 feet and 180 pounds. The height may be a bit generous. When Fernando Martinez swings, though, he looks significantly taller.
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NY Daily News:
Mets promote Pelfrey ability — PORT ST. LUCIE - You go from one side of the state to the other, from the Yankees to the Mets, and after watching Phil Hughes wow onlookers in Tampa, it felt important to see Mike Pelfrey as soon as possible. — It's the year of the phenoms, after all.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Torre: Abreu injury doesn't open door for Bernie — TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees right fielder Bobby Abreu is expected to miss at least two weeks after straining his right oblique during batting practice Monday, an injury manager Joe Torre said won't cause the team to make a new push for Bernie Williams to report.
Bruce Miles / Daily Herald:
Marquis remains confident — MESA, Ariz. — Jason Marquis says he no longer cringes when he looks at his earned-run average from last year. — "Not at all, not anymore," he said Sunday. — That ERA is not a pretty sight. Although he won 14 games for the St. Louis Cardinals, Marquis lost 16 and had a feverish ERA of 6.02.
RELATED:
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:Slow starters may get minor-league at-bats
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Lineup protection is up for debate — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Welcome to the No. 5 spot in the Phillies' batting order, the latest battleground in baseball's ongoing struggle between traditionalists and statistical reformers. — Phillies general manager Pat Gillick, representing the old school …
John Sickels / Minor League Ball:
Prospect Smackdown: Cameron Maybin Vs. Jay Bruce — Prospect Smackdown: Cameron Maybin vs. Jay Bruce — Background and Intangibles — Maybin: Maybin was the 10th overall pick in the 2005 draft, picked out of high school in Asheville, North Carolina by the Tigers.
Discussion:
TigerBlog
ESPN:
Colon progressing slowly from shoulder injury — Bartolo Colon's rehabilitation from a rotator-cuff tear is on schedule, but that schedule likely won't allow him to pitch in a major league game until May. — Manger Mike Scioscia said Sunday that Colon was "unlikely" to pitch in a Cactus League game this spring.
Nancy / mvn.com:
Welcome Indianapolis Indians Fans — Hello everyone! I'm Nancy, and I'll be writing about the Indianapolis Indians, the AAA affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. I've been an Indy Indians fan for many years, and I'm looking forward to telling you about the Indians' players and games …
Discussion:
What's Wrong With Portland …
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Mariners look to lock up Lopez — All-Star 2B made just above league minimum last season — PEORIA, Ariz. — The Mariners are trying to sign second baseman Jose Lopez to a long-term contract extension. — Lopez's agent, Martin Arburua, is in Peoria and meeting with Mariners officials.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Anderson welcomes Angels' new man in middle — Left fielder says he's glad to have Matthews patrolling center, but also says he and Guerrero can cover their share of ground at the corner outfield spots. — TEMPE, ARIZ. — Don't get Garret Anderson wrong — he's thrilled to have Gary Matthews Jr …
