Top News:
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Pineiro set up for potential trade — FORT MYERS - If the Red Sox [team stats] want to deal Joel Pineiro now that he is no longer in the picture to serve as closer, they are not going to have difficulty finding a trading partner. — Red Sox forum: — Scouts from several teams …
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Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Beckett shines in slow motion — He's worked hard to hone repertoire — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Josh Beckett looked good in seven innings of three-hit ball in a 12-6 win over the Marlins yesterday. — Beckett struck out seven and walked three. He threw 92 pitches, 57 for strikes.
Discussion:
Fire Brand of the …
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Prognosis on Wood not good — Often-injured Cub hurt again, could be put on disabled list — MESA, Ariz. — Kerry Wood's chances to open the season on the Cubs' active roster likely ended Sunday when the injury-plagued right-handed pitcher suffered another setback.
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Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Famous guest blogs in — Given 'invite,' Schilling issues direct answers — Curt Schilling isn't one to sit on an opportunity to get an unfiltered message to the fans. (FILE/BRIAN SNYDER/REUTERS) — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Getting a little tired and bored here in the final week …
Discussion:
FIRE JOE MORGAN, Dan Shaughnessy Watch, Boston Sports Media Watch and The FanHouse - Mlb
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Corpas fabulous in relief — Tucson - Considering the trials and tribulations of many of his bullpen brethren, Manny Corpas has had an easy time of it this spring. — After pitching a scoreless ninth inning in the Rockies' 3-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday …
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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners rising into place — More importance put on final week of Cactus League — PHOENIX — During a January series of organizational meetings in Peoria, Ariz., the Mariners put together a roadmap for the spring. — The decision was to go young early in Cactus League games, and not to worry about the record.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
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David Lennon / Newsday:
Pelfrey locks up fifth spot — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The identity of the Mets' fifth starter was not much of a mystery by the time Mike Pelfrey threw his opening pitch in yesterday's start against the Astros at Tradition Field. — As long as the 6-7 Pelfrey walked off the mound under his own power …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: McCutchen upbeat despite demotion to Class AA — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — BRADENTON, Fla. — Andrew McCutchen walked out of the Pirates' clubhouse yesterday morning with a wide smile. — Probably because, even though he finally was assigned …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
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John Beamer / Hardball Times:
Five Questions: Atlanta Braves — We all know the story: for the first time since 1991 the Braves failed to win their division. Shocking, wouldn't you say? Or perhaps not? — By thinking back to some of the events in 1990 we can put the Braves' achievements into perspective.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Simontacchi, Logan likely to go on DL — Pitcher, center fielder expected to miss early part of season — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Both right-hander Jason Simontacchi and center fielder Nook Logan are expected to miss the start of the season because of right groin injuries.
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Pat Andriola / Shea Faithful:
Interview with Bill James — Former independent writer turned revolutionary Bill James, who is now a part of the Boston Red Sox Front Office, was kind enough to answer a few of my questions. Bill and I discuss Mark McGwire, his own potential website, parody in sports, and more.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Fox Sports:
Why don't the Yankees win titles anymore? — Though they're supposedly baseball's neighborhood bully, the New York Yankees haven't won the World Series since 2000. — Yes, the Yanks always grab the column inches/bandwidth for being perennial free-spending contenders, but they haven't laid hands on a trophy in almost seven years.
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers set Opening Day roster — Durbin, Perez earn spots on Leyland's 25-man list — LAKELAND, Fla. — In the end, having options was not a good option for players in Tigers camp. — The defending American League champions made their final decisions to get down to their 25-man Opening …
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Clubhouse chemistry winning formula? — PEORIA, Ariz. - "Hey Greg, I've got one for you," Brian Giles said to new Padres teammate Greg Maddux last month. — "Why was the mathematics book depressed?" Giles said. — After the 333-game winner pondered the question for a few seconds, Giles slowly delivered the punch line.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Hot springs can turn cold in a hurry — Arizona averages can be deceiving for Cubs — MESA, Ariz. — Carrying over a hot spring into the regular season would seem like a relatively easy transition, but the Cubs know it's easier said than done. — Nomar Garciaparra tore up the Cactus League in 2005 …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals set up early rotation — JUPITER, FLA. — Given the luxury of several off days early in the regular season and the possibly unsteady makeup of their starting rotation, the Cardinals were prepared to start April with Chris Carpenter and a cast of four making irregular appearances.