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 …
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Spring Training / Associated Press:BoSox settle pay dispute, to go to Japan
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Sports Illustrated, Red Sox Chick, ESPN, The LoHud Yankees Blog, The Griddle and Associated Press
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.
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Joba knows his role — Yankees inform righty that he'll start season in bullpen — TAMPA, Fla. — The argument of whether Joba Chamberlain can best serve the Yankees out of their starting rotation or bullpen isn't settled — not by a long shot. But for the purposes of Opening Day, the right-hander finally has his answer.
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 …
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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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vorosmccracken.com
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 …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Blanco (finally) knocking at door — Kissimmee, Fla. — Every once in a while comes a player like Gregor Blanco, who has plenty of physical tools, puts up good numbers annually in competitive Latin American winter leagues, but has something that's keeping him stuck in the minor league system …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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.
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David Gassko / Hardball Times:
Batted balls and park effects — A few years ago, Dave Studeman and I exchanged a few dozen e-mails and a few hundred thoughts discussing park factors for batted balls. The result was an entertaining article by Dave in The Hardball Times Annual 2006 that pointed out some of his more interesting findings …
Discussion:
Friar Forecast
Spring Training / Yahoo! Sports:
Bigbie exiled after breaking code — YOKOSUKA, Japan - The Year of the Rat in the Japanese zodiac started Feb. 7, about a week after Larry Bigbie arrived. — He came here with some fanfare, more than he had seen in his six years playing in the major leagues.
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Homers sour Hughes' night vs. Bucs — Right-hander surrenders three long balls in four-plus innings — YANKEES 12, PIRATES 9 — Yankees at the plate: With 13 hits through the fourth inning, the Yankees had five starters with a multihit game by the end of the night.
Associated Press:
Dodgers' Garciaparra has broken bone in hand, may miss opening day — CBSSports.com wire reports — PHOENIX — Nomar Garciaparra has a broken bone in his right hand, and the Los Angeles Dodgers' third baseman might not be ready for opening day. — Garciaparra had an MRI on Wednesday in Los Angeles that revealed a microfracture.
Maureen Mullen / MLB.com:
Delay shifts Dice-K to Minors game — Right-hander remains on track to pitch Opening Day vs. A's — FORT MYERS, Fla. — With the Red Sox's Wednesday afternoon game against the Blue Jays at City of Palms Park delayed because of a dispute over stipends to Boston's coaches and staff …
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Red Sox Monster
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
