Top News:
Associated Press:
Duncan, Gomes, Cabrera suspended; Girardi fined — NEW YORK — Yankees center fielder Melky Cabrera and first baseman Shelley Duncan were suspended for three games each for their roles in Wednesday's spring-training fracas between New York and the Tampa Bay Rays.
Discussion:
Bugs & Cranks
RELATED:
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 …
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
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.
RELATED:
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Cubs Add Ceda To Roberts Offer — We've actually got some movement this morning on the Brian Roberts front. According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs have added hard-throwing 21 year-old reliever Jose Ceda to their offer. They'd also send Sean Gallagher, Ronny Cedeno, and Donald Veal to Baltimore.
Discussion:
Cub Town
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
RELATED:
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
RELATED:
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, NY Daily News, MetsBlog.com, the metropolitans, NJ.com, The 'Ropolitans, Amazin' Avenue and ESPN
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
Spring Training / Yahoo! Sports:
Rangers prospect is exhibit A — SURPRISE, Ariz. - Matt West said he doesn't know the name of the performance-enhancing drug he used that almost killed his baseball career. He was taking nitric oxide and creatine and all the other standard supplements, and, poof, somehow his urine came back dirty.
Discussion:
TEXAS RANGERS
Barry Svrluga / Nationals Journal:
Pena likely out a month — The results from Wily Mo Pena's MRI are back, and they reveal what many in the organization suspected yesterday. It is a Grade 2 strain of the left oblique. A club spokesman — delivering the report from the medical staff — said it was a “significant tear of the muscle …
Discussion:
Nationals Farm Authority
Sports Illustrated:
Jon Heyman: Rangers struck out for Santana and Hunter — Also in the Daily Scoop... SURPRISE, Ariz. — Several weeks before Johan Santana went to the Mets, the Texas Rangers came very close to making a blockbuster trade for the superstar pitcher, people familiar with those talks say.
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 …
Walter Villa / Sports Illustrated:
Mets top prospect Martinez a keeper — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — He's the great Mets hope — the prospect New York refused to trade, not even for arguably the best pitcher in the major leagues. — He's the anti-Lastings Milledge — a young man who has earned the veterans' respect with his hard work and humble nature.
