Top News:
David Pinto / Baseball Prospectus:
The Big Picture — Graying Offenses — No doubt about it, hitters are getting older. A little over two months into 2007, the average age per plate appearance sits just below the all-time high achieved in 1945, when most young men were off fighting World War II.
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Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — Draft Questions — The draft is coming. The first question people ask is, who's going to be picked? Kevin Goldstein's Top 50 can give you a fine idea, and his mock draft later on this afternoon will give you even more. The second question, the one I immediately ask, is who's been overworked?
David Lennon / Newsday:
Schoeneweis' leg injury could use relief — Scott Schoeneweis winced last night when asked about the leg problem that has bothered him since spring training. Not from the pain. It doesn't really hurt. But the Mets reliever, not looking to make any excuses for his poor start …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Mark Hale / New York Post:
METS COVET CUBS ACE — THEY'D CHASE ZAMBRANO, IF ... If the Cubs end up putting ace pitcher Carlos Zambrano on the trading block, the Mets will go after him. — According to one MLB team executive, the Mets would be "heavily involved" if the Cubs look to trade Zambrano.
MLB.com:
Cubs place right-handed pitcher Angel Guzman on the 15-day disabled list — Select right-handed pitcher Sean Gallagher from Double-A Tennessee — MILWAUKEE — The Chicago Cubs today placed right-handed pitcher Angel Guzman on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 2, with a strained right elbow.
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Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Splitting the difference — Braves prevail in opener, fall in second game of DH — The Braves played the Marlins three times in 27 hours, and it looked like it by the end of the doubleheader Tuesday night. — The Braves sleep-walked through the second game, losing 5-1 to rookie Rick Vanden Hurk …
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Cabrera's All-Star chances look slim — Though no one at his position is having a better season in the AL, several big names are ahead of him in balloting, and several teammates also appear deserving. — The American League All-Star balloting was updated Tuesday, and the Angels' Vladimir Guerrero …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers going with Victor Diaz — egrant@dallasnews.com — ARLINGTON - The Rangers are committing to a young, power-hitting Dominican-born outfielder. — Meanwhile, Nelson Cruz is going to the minors. — The club made two moves Tuesday, optioning Cruz to Oklahoma and designating struggling Matt Kata for assignment.
ESPN:
Sheff surprised with stir; teammate glad he said it — ARLINGTON, Texas — Detroit Tigers star Gary Sheffield insists he meant "nothing derogatory" toward Latin players when he said Major League Baseball found it easier to "control them" than blacks. — However, teammate Carlos Guillen said he was happy Sheffield said what he said.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Back trouble could land Crede on DL — Third baseman Joe Crede didn't start Tuesday night against the Yankees because of recurring back problems that have nagged the White Sox third baseman for longer than he has admitted, according to manager Ozzie Guillen and general manager Ken Williams.
Discussion:
The Bard's Room
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Sox held at bay — DiNardo and A's keep them in a fog — OAKLAND, Calif.—Until Valentine's Day, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Lenny DiNardo were Red Sox teammates. But then the Sox needed to clear a spot to add outfielder J.D. Drew to the roster, and DiNardo was gone, claimed on waivers by the Oakland Athletics.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets edged by Phils in extras — Glavine denied career win No. 296 for third time — NEW YORK — It isn't a problem yet, and it's well short of being something psychologically challenging. Tom Glavine calls it a rut, and that seems quite appropriate. It is a rut — seemingly not too deep or too wide.
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Ladies:
Hot Blogger Bracket - AFC North — VOTE HERE — Hot Blogger Bracket - AFC North
Discussion:
Run Up The Score, Dan Shanoff, EDSBS, I Want to be a Sports Agent, The Extrapolater, Sports Gone South and Shot to Nothing
Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Pedro back on the mound — Encouraging bullpen session has Pedro optimistic he'll return this season — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Pedro Martinez is about as confident and optimistic as any rehabbing athlete will ever be. Flashing his effervescent smile yesterday, he walked away …
Tony DeMarco / MLB.com:
Clutch hits propel Astros past Rockies — Houston no-hit for 4 2/3 innings; Berkman, Scott provide lift — DENVER — Their first 14 hitters were retired in order by the top pitching prospect they traded away last winter. — Their All-Star first baseman and manager both were ejected …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
100% Injury Rate:
George W. Bush benches more than Kevin Durant — We're hoping that because of Kevin Durant's recent pathetic bench press showing at the NBA Draft Camp - he couldn't lift 185 lbs. even once - he'll fall all the way to the Warriors at the 18th pick. We'd gladly take him and his puny arms.
