Top News:
Curt Schilling / 38 Pitches:
Paps to the Pen — No it wasn't a rash decision brought about by uncertainty. I can promise you there were many meetings involving many people that occurred before this took place. — Paps wanted to close because that's where he felt he helped the team best, but he had no issues or problems being a starter either.
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch, Cursed To First, Basegirl, The Joy of Sox, Random Thoughts and River Ave. Blues
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ESPN:
Red Sox will send Papelbon back to bullpen — The Boston Red Sox didn't have to search long for Mike Timlin's replacement as closer. — Two days after announcing that the 41-year-old Timlin will start the season on the disabled list, multiple team sources told ESPN's Erin Andrews …
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Papelbon to return as closer — Red Sox fill vacancy with last year's standout reliever — CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Red Sox announced a resolution to their much-discussed closer dilemma with a retro decision following Thursday's exhibition game against the Phillies: Jonathan Papelbon …
Karen Guregian / Boston Herald:
Pedro: It's not over yet — Former ace talks rehab, Matsuzaka and all things Sox — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The early returns favor the Red Sox [team stats], but Pedro Martinez isn't about to throw in the towel and concede that his former team made the right move by not signing him to a multi-year deal …
Karen Guregian / Boston Herald:
Shoulder to lean on: Pap ready to be fallback closer — FORT MYERS - The closer situation has left Red Sox [team stats] fans tossing and turning at night. The Sox are wrestling with it, too, because it's a problem that hasn't been resolved during the first month of spring training. — Red Sox forum:
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
McCann's the man for Braves — All-Star catcher signs six-year, $27.8 million contract extension — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Braves All-Star catcher Brian McCann has lived in Atlanta throughout most of his life, and it appears he'll continue playing there through at least the end of the 2012 season.
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Associated Press:
All-Star McCann signs six-year deal with Braves — KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Atlanta Braves made a long-term commitment to Brian McCann, agreeing Thursday to a $26.8 million, six-year contract with the All-Star catcher. — The deal with McCann, who has less than two years of major league service, includes a club option for 2013.
ESPN:
Cardinals manager arrested for DUI in Florida — JUPITER, Fla. — St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was arrested early Thursday and charged with misdemeanor DUI after he was found asleep at the wheel in his running SUV at a green light. — La Russa's SUV was stopped at a light that …
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yankees Want Rodriguez to Stay, but Won't Sweeten His Deal — Alex Rodriguez has often said he is proud of his contract, and it is easy to see why. It is not only the richest deal in baseball history, but it provides him a chance to make still more money for even more years.
Discussion:
Athletic Supporters
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Sports Illustrated:
Schilling unfiltered — Ace pulls no punches in joining baseball blogosphere — More than any other sport, baseball has always produced great writing, but the immediacy of blogs are ideally suited to baseball's long season. "This ain't football," Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver once said, "We do this every day."
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Furcal injures ankle in collision — Dodgers shortstop collides with Repko in pursuit of blooper — VERO BEACH, Fla. — Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal was carted off the field with a left ankle injury sustained when he collided with center fielder Jason Repko in the first inning of Thursday's game against Baltimore.
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Berroa may lose his job — Royals officials are believed to be looking for an alternative at shortstop. — SURPRISE, Ariz. | Shortstop Angel Berroa's ongoing struggles have the Royals working overtime to find an alternative. Club officials are believed to have put together of list …
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Pitching cut could make room for Anderson — TUCSON, Ariz. — At least one important decision has been made concerning the 25-man roster, and no one should be happier than outfielder — Brian Anderson. — White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said Wednesday that unless there's an injury …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Mauer's injury not considered serious — Twins catcher Joe Mauer, last season's American League batting champion, has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left fibula. It's considered a precursor to a stress fracture, but team officials are confident he will be playing again next week.
Derek Jacques / Baseball Prospectus:
How the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Can Win the World Series — Will talks with Derek Jacques about the Devil Rays' chances on Baseball Prospectus Radio. Click to download the mp3. — Is there a fan base in America to whom the concept of Hope and Faith would seem more far-fetched than it would to supporters of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays?
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Sosa remains Cub at heart — Fans' reaction mixed, but 'I'm so grateful for that city,' Rangers' No. 21 says of Chicago — MESA, Ariz. — Sammy Sosa got warm welcomes from Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, team president John McDonough and pitcher Carlos Zambrano on the field before his first game at HoHoKam Park in three years.
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