Top News:
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Ordering up a trade — MESA, Ariz. — Alfonso Soriano says getting used to batting anywhere but leadoff will take time. That's why he sees the logic in moving down in the Cubs' batting order now, rather than waiting for a Brian Roberts trade that isn't likely to get done until the final week of camp.
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Bruce Miles / Daily Herald:
Soriano not thrilled with batting second — MESA, Ariz. — Lou Piniella looked like a genius in the first inning of the Cubs' 3-2 win over San Diego on Thursday, when leadoff hitter Ryan Theriot opened with a single and stole second base. — The Cubs couldn't do much with it …
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Girardi may be suspended for opener — TAMPA - For the first time in 13 years, the Yankees might be managed by someone not named Joe on Opening Day. — According to a baseball source, there is a possibility that both Joe Girardi and Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon could face suspensions …
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Sports Illustrated:
Duncan expected suspension 3 gms — Gomes likely two games, Girardi will only be fined — Yankees outfielder Shelley Duncan and Rays outfielder Jonny Gomes are expected to receive short suspensions for their roles in the bench-clearing skirmish between the Yankees and Rays on Wednesday in St. Petersburg …
Discussion:
iYankees
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
On the fast track? Colon solid in debut — FORT MYERS, Fla. - Bartolo Colon was hitting 94 miles per hour, throwing 92-93 consistently with his four-seam fastball, 84-88 with his slider, and 81 on his changeup, according to a scout's radar gun yesterday. In his heyday, Colon could reach 100 m.p.h.
Discussion:
Peter's Red Sox Forever
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Tim Marchman / New York Sun:Sox Tend To Hedge Their Bets Better Than Yankees
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Minor League Report: Larry Broadway — First baseman trying to make strong impression for front office — VIERA, Fla. — The 2007 season was supposed to be the year in which Larry Broadway became the starting first baseman for the Nationals. The position was open because Nick Johnson was disabled due a broken right leg.
Discussion:
Oleanders and Morning Glories
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Pena joins list of injured Nationals — Hill, Lo Duca, Mackowiak and Young all coming along — VIERA, Fla. — Add Nationals left fielder Wily Mo Pena to the injured list, while right-hander Shawn Hill, catcher Paul Lo Duca, outfielder Rob Mackowiak and first baseman Dmitri Young are showing improvement from their injuries.
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Mets' Pelfrey hasn't done enough to earn a spot — JUPITER, Fla. - Every time Orlando Hernandez takes a step toward being ready for Opening Day, Mike Pelfrey takes a step toward Triple-A. — The math is simple. The Mets aren't going to take six starting pitchers to Miami when the season opens March 31.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, the metropolitans, NY Daily News, MetsBlog.com, NJ.com, The 'Ropolitans and Amazin' Avenue
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Weaver apparently not coming to DC — Right-hander may have priced self out of Nats' pay range — VIERA, Fla. — It appears that the Nationals are out of the running to acquire free-agent right-hander Jeff Weaver, MLB.com learned on Thursday. — According to a baseball source, “The situation is complicated.”
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards look to Lohse for help — JUPITER, FLA. — The Cardinals addressed an innings-short starting rotation Thursday by reaching agreement with durable free agent righthander Kyle Lohse on a one-year, $4.25 million contract, pending Lohse's passing a team physical this morning.
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John Peterson / Mets Geek:
Bill James, Ken Tremendous and Joe Posnanski — I was going to write about The Bill James Baseball Gold Mine for this column, but I have not had much time to read it. I can tell you that Bill James is a funny guy and his Gold Mine contains very interesting things that one cannot find elsewhere.
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Slumping Lee asks for day off — Usually a horse, slugger jokingly feels like a pony — KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Upon walking into his office following the Astros' 7-6 win over the Dodgers on Thursday, manager Cecil Cooper found a note sitting on his desk: — “I'm taking the day off tomorrow.
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Curt Schilling / 38 Pitches:
Doug.... In the 20 years since I was first called up to the big leagues I've played with exactly 2 players who's presence in the clubhouse carried onto the field. Darren Daulton in Philadelphia, and Doug Mirabelli here in Boston. — Very few players have that ability …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Beltran boasts new level of happiness — Mets comment on change in center fielder after fatherhood — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The proclamation from Carlos Beltran that the Mets were the team to beat in the National League East raised eyebrows and perhaps the tenor of the Mets' relationship with the Phillies.
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Young guns look ready to rock — Jimenez, Morales show signs their talented arms, games ready to go — TUCSON — Midway through the Cactus League season, Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales are quickening pulses at Hi Corbett Field. — The Rockies' promising 1-2 punch …
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
