Top News:
Boston Globe:
Red Sox threatening Japan boycott if staff isn't paid — Red Sox manager Terry Francona (center) talks with Sean Casey (left) and Jason Varitek this morning in Fort Myers. The players are threatening to boycott the trip to Japan if staff isn't paid for the trip.
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ESPN:
Red Sox, MLB resolve dispute over coaches' pay — FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox ended a threatened boycott Wednesday of their final spring training game in Florida, resolving a dispute over paying coaches for the season-opening trip to Japan. — The televised game against Toronto started …
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Coaches and staff will be compensated — FORT MYERS, Fla. - Here's what we know about the deal to compensate players. — A major league source said moments ago that all staff associated with the trip will be compensated. Not sure whether it's $40,000 or even more because the receipts from the trip will be split at the end.
Boston Herald:
Sox win standoff with MLB — FORT MYERS - Opening Day will take place after all. — Threatening to boycott their trip to Japan because their coaches wouldn't be receiving the same kind of appearance fee as the players, the Red Sox [team stats] convinced Major League Baseball this afternoon …
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:A few things.... FORT MYERS, Fla - In what has been an eventful …
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:Youkilis addresses agreement for coaches
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Breaking news: Joba to the bullpen — Joe Girardi said just a few minutes ago that RHP Joba Chamberlain would open the season in the bullpen. — He left open the possibility that Chamberlain will move into the rotation later this season. “His future will be as a starter,” Girardi said.
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Uribe waived? That's news to him — TUCSON, Ariz. - Reports continued to circulate around the White Sox camp that the club placed former starting shortstop Juan Uribe on waivers prior to today's game with Colorado. — The first news of this move came on WSCR-AM (670).
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Chicagosports / Hardball:
Waiver move news to Uribe — TUCSON, Ariz. — The White Sox placed infielder Juan Uribe on waivers Wednesday, according to a major-league scout. — But Uribe, who didn't play against Colorado, and agent Martin Arburua were unaware of such a move. The Sox made no announcement …
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins catcher Treanor likely to start on opening day — JUPITER- — The Marlins aren't ready to announce their starting pitcher for opening day yet, but indications are the starting catcher will be Matt Treanor. — Mike Rabelo will share the catching duties this season with Treanor …
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Early word: No Schneider — For those of you looking forward to seeing Brian Schneider catch John Maine tonight on SNY (7:10 p.m.) I'm sorry to report that he will be nursing his strained right hamstring on the bench. Thank God for simulated games, eh? Schneider has appeared in a whopping total …
Discussion:
The 'Ropolitans
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Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Back spasms sideline Kerry Wood — Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood has developed back spasms and was scratched from today's pitching assignment. This comes as Wood was declared the team's probable closer. — Manager Lou Piniella downplayed the significance of the injury, but Wood was examined …
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Razor's edge — The Mets just announced their latest round of cuts after tonight's 3-1 victory over the Indians. Tony Armas Jr., Nate Field, Joselo Diaz and Fernando Martinez have all been re-assigned to minor-league camp. Poor Armas. Guy's been here for 48 hours and already he's shooed …
Discussion:
The 'Ropolitans
Dchase / Brock for Broglio:
Interview With Voros McCracken — Voros McCracken — has consulted with the Boston Red Sox front office, and won a World Series during his time with the team. He revolutionized pitcher evaluation methodology by discovering Defensive Independent Pitching Statistics (DIPS) in 1999.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Stark: Reds hope to get huge spark from Cordero … SARASOTA, Fla. — Of all the franchise-changing acquisitions in baseball this winter, here's the one that might have gotten the least hoopla: — Cincinnati Reds sign closer Francisco Cordero for four years, $46 million.
Minor League Ball:
Assessing Fernando Martinez — I get frequent questions from Mets fans about Fernando Martinez. How good will he be? How soon will he be ready? How much power will he develop? It sounds like a copout, but the most honest answer is that I simply don't know at this point.
Discussion:
The 'Ropolitans
