Top News:
ESPN:
Top prospect Hughes to pitch for Yanks Thursday — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A day after getting swept by the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees said Monday they plan on having top pitching prospect Phil Hughes make his major league debut Thursday against Toronto.
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Newsday:
Wallace Matthews — Despite sweep, Yanks hold dice — BOSTON — It was a night that could easily be seen as disastrous: As a team, the Yankees suffered a fate they hadn't seen in 17 years, and as an individual, their starting pitcher, Chase Wright, suffered an indignity not incurred on an American League pitcher since JFK was alive.
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
John Harper / NY Daily News:
No Alex miracle or Yank relief — Battered and beaten pen getting to be tired story — BOSTON - Alex Rodriguez was the last hope to avoid the stinging sweep here at Fenway Park, and that was fitting because A-Rod is all that has kept April from being a complete disaster for the Yankees.
David Lefort / Boston Globe:
The view from NY — Red Sox Nation is walking with a noticeable spring …
The view from NY — Red Sox Nation is walking with a noticeable spring …
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife: No Excuses by Will Carroll — No Excuses — Injuries are never an excuse. Yes, they're often used that way, whether it's a GM shrugging his shoulders and saying it's a "part of the game," or if it's the guy in your fantasy league saying he would have won …
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Future Shock: Monday Morning Ten Pack
Future Shock: Monday Morning Ten Pack
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
ESPN:
A's place Harden, Bradley on 15-day disabled list — OAKLAND, Calif. — Just when Rich Harden was hoping for a healthy, full season, he got hurt again. — The Oakland Athletics placed their ace right-hander on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a strained right shoulder and also put center fielder Milton Bradley on the DL.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
ESPN:
Rangers put closer Gagne on DL with hip injury — ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers put closer Eric Gagne on the 15-day disabled list Monday, a day after the oft-injured right-hander left the game in the middle of just his second save situation for his new team.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Furious Halsey rips A's — Pitcher says team worried only about money, not players — (04-23) 04:00 PDT Arlington, Texas — Brad Halsey figured when he was held out of his start at Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday that he was coming up to start for Rich Harden on Tuesday.
Rotoworld.com:
BASEBALL DAILY DOSE (Apr 23) — Daily Dose discusses Rich Harden's latest setback and what the Cubs will do with their suddenly crowded outfield. — Future stars Ryan Braun, Tim Lincecum and Hunter Pence highlight the list of NL minor leaguers likely to help fantasy teams later this year.
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Boyd hopes tour, league help out — It's one thing to talk about the dwindling number of African-American players on major league rosters, it's another thing to try to do something about it. — Count Dennis ''Oil Can'' Boyd, Marquis Grissom, and Delino DeShields among those taking …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Scott Van Voorhis / Boston Herald:
Fenway's home run derby: Property owners swing for fences — How much is a tiny gas station next door to Fenway Park [map] worth? — According to one of its owners, Charlie Giannakopoulos, its true value is more than $10 million. — The Shell station at the corner of Boylston …
Discussion:
The Biz of Baseball
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Williams Says His Confidence Level Is Fine — In the wake of a six-inning performance in which he allowed 10 runs, Jerome Williams wants everyone to know about his confidence level. — "It's up," he said. "Let's get that clear. It's up. My confidence is fine."
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Forbes:
The Business Of Baseball — Three years ago, the 30 Major League Baseball teams posted an operating loss (in the sense of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of $57 million. Last season they earned a record $496 million. Despite its ongoing steroids scandal …
RotoAuthority / MLB Trade Rumors:
2008 Club Options — Instead of rehashing the usual Jacque Jones/Jose Capellan trade rumors, let's take a stab at predicting whether teams will exercise their 2008 options. — Ivan Rodriguez - $13MM with $3MM buyout. Pudge will be 36 in 2008, but his defensive value and continued pop seem to justify the $10MM difference.
Discussion:
D-Town Baseball
Jonah Keri / ESPN:
Neshek is king of eBay and the mound — Pat Neshek is a hard-core collector of baseball and hockey cards, a huge fan of "The Simpsons" and one of the most entertaining bloggers around. He also happens to be one of the most dominant relief pitchers in baseball.
Tom Gage / Detroit News:
Slumping Sheffield won't sulk — DETROIT — In perfect weather Sunday, Gary Sheffield waited for a storm to pass. — For the first time this season, Sheffield wasn't in the starting lineup — nor did he play in the Tigers 6-5, 12-inning victory over the White Sox.
Sabernomics:
Aging in Baseball — Fellow economist Steve Walters pinch hits for Dave Berri at Wages of Wins Journal, where he discusses aging in baseball. You may remember Steve from his Statscape column in Sporting News. — Steve discusses how our perceptions about aging in baseball may be incorrect.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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