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 …
RELATED:
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.
RELATED:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Wood headed to disabled list — MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs are shutting down Kerry Wood until further notice after he experienced shoulder problems during Sunday's outing against the Angels in which Wood gave up a three-run homer in one inning. — Wood will be placed on the disabled list and won't be available for at least a few weeks.
Discussion:
GROTA
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Several teams interested in Arizona's Julio — The Cardinals and Marlins appear to be the clubs most interested in trading for Diamondbacks right-hander Jorge Julio, according to major-league sources. — The Pirates and Devil Rays also are in the mix for Julio, sources say.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
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:
Boston Sports Media Watch, FIRE JOE MORGAN, Dan Shaughnessy 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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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
High-speed pursuit … We interrupt major league baseball's fascination with radar guns to point out the following velocity-related tidbit, courtesy of the Bill James Handbook: — The fourth-slowest fastball in the American League last year, at 85.8 miles per hour, belonged to Barry Zito of the Oakland Athletics.
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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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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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.
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 …
Josh Katzowitz / Cincinnati Reds:
Reds vs. the Matsuzakas — BSARASOTA, Fla. - Not sure if Trent is awake yet - when I left the condo in Siesta Key about 7:45 a.m., I could hear him snoring through his closed bedroom door - so I'll take the lead on the blog today. — Big day at the old ballpark today.
