Top News:
Barry Svrluga / Nationals Journal:
John Patterson Released [With Update] — Dave Sheinin reports from Viera that the Nationals have released right-hander John Patterson. — Patterson, the Nationals' Opening Day starter in 2007, was limited to 15 starts in 2006 and '07 because of a series of nerve problems in his right arm and elbow.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Patterson released by Nationals — Right-hander cut from team due to ‘lack of performance’ — VIERA, Fla. — Right-hander John Patterson was released by the Nationals on Thursday based on the pitcher's lack of performance. The team would rather give a younger pitcher …
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Sox touch down safely … Good morning, America! The Red Sox [team stats] have landed! — The Red Sox' charter flight to Japan for their seven-day visit - which will feature two exhibition games and the first two games of their 2008 World Series title defense - touched down safely in Tokyo at 12:16 a.m. Friday morning.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Time running out on Lofton's '08 hopes — Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005. He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX. — add this — Kenny Lofton is frustrated. Four times since 2002, a contender has wanted him badly enough to trade for him.
Discussion:
The Heater
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
New deal is set for Wainwright — FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. • The Cardinals' opening day starter and present-day ace Adam Wainwright is expected to sign a long-term contract today with the club that assures his place in its future. — The Cardinals plan to finalize and announce …
Discussion:
Associated Press, The Transaction Guy, C70 At The Bat, Cardinals Diaspora, MLB Rumors and Baseball Musings
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Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Management undecided on Longoria — Financial aspects might matter in prospect's future in Majors — ST. PETERSBURG — A decision must be made on Evan Longoria in the near future. And all the Rays' top prospect has done this spring is play like a top prospect.
Discussion:
Rays of Light
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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
False start: Joba back to bullpen — TAMPA - Throw the rules out the window. Joba Chamberlain is headed back to the bullpen. — Chamberlain, who achieved cult-hero status last season with his two-month stint as Mariano Rivera's setup man, received the news Wednesday during a meeting …
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Marlins' Willingham out to improve against lefties — One of the National League's best and one of its worst hitters against left-handed pitching in 2007 are Marlins. — Beginning Opening Day, Hanley Ramirez and Josh Willingham, respectively, hope to prolong and reverse the trends.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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Baseball Crank:
2008 AL East EWSL Report — The third of six division previews, using Established Win Shares Levels as a jumping-off point. Today: The AL East. Notes on the EWSL method are below the fold. — Key: + (Rookie) * (Based on one season) # (Based on two seasons) — The Hated Yankees
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds reassign Bruce to Minors camp — Top-ranked outfield prospect will begin season in Triple-A — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Reds outfield prospect Jay Bruce got the news on Thursday he hoped he wouldn't get this spring. — Manager Dusty Baker and general manager Wayne Krivsky informed …
Paul Meyer / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Spring Training: Morgan/McLouth competition may not be either/or situation — Yankees pitcher Billy Traber misses the tag, allowing Ryan Doumit to score from third last night. The Yankees won the first night game at McKechnie Field, 12-9. — BRADENTON, Fla. — Pirates management …
Marc Hulet / Baseball Analysts:
What are their options? — As Major League Baseball's 2008 Spring Training begins to (mercifully) wind down, we are faced with six interesting stories related to players who are out of options. — To dumb down a complicated process: Clubs who have used up the three (and sometimes four) …
Discussion:
umpbump.com
John Delcos / The Journal News:
Randolph unsure if Sanchez will be available for Opening Day — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Mets manager Willie Randolph made his strongest comments to date suggesting reliever Duaner Sanchez will not be on the Opening Day roster. — “Is he on the borderline of not being able to break with us?”
Neil Best / Watchdog:
Tina Cervasio joins MSG, MSG Plus — As expected, MSG announced the hiring of Tina Cervasio, late of NESN, as a host/reporter for MSG and MSG Plus. — She will co-shot “MSG, NY” and be a sideline reporter for Red Bulls games, among other things.
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Jays holding Ryan out of games — Toronto closer may not be ready to go by Opening Day — DUNEDIN, Fla. — B.J. Ryan's goal of returning to the Blue Jays' bullpen in time for Opening Day may have been a little too optimistic. With less than two weeks remaining in the spring slate …