Top News:
Associated Press:
Red Sox activate 1B Sean Casey, put RHP Josh Beckett on DL — TOKYO—First baseman Sean Casey's stiff neck improved enough for the Boston Red Sox to activate him for the first two games of the season against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
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Leitch / Deadspin:
Baseball Season Preview: Boston Red Sox — For the third consecutive season, we are proud to introduce the Deadspin Baseball Season Previews. Yes, baseball is awfully close now; heck, they're playing real games in Japan tomorrow. — Every weekday until the start of the season, a different writer will preview his/her team.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Commit to 5-Man Rotation, No Matter What — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The Mets will not need a fifth starter until April 12. The two candidates for that role, Orlando Hernández and Mike Pelfrey, imploded during their outings Sunday. So, common sense says the Mets …
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Improvement is a relief to Smith — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Joe Smith's performances are steadily improving. Smith erased a four-pitch leadoff walk to Baltimore's Melvin Mora in the seventh inning Monday by getting Aubrey Huff to ground into a double play.
Discussion:
New York Post
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
John Maine is man four job — FORT LAUDERDALE - John Maine will have to wait until the second series, in Atlanta, to take the mound. But he's the No. 4 starter in title only. — Maine's stellar spring continued when he blanked the Orioles for six innings Monday while surrendering just one hit …
Discussion:
New York Post
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Blue Jays close to locking up OF Rios — 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 — Just over a year ago, the Blue Jays signed center fielder Vernon Wells through 2014.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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NY Daily News:
Harper: A-Rod regrets saying no to Mets — During spring training, Alex Rodriguez has mostly avoided discussion of his messy contract opt-out and offseason return to the Yankees, but apparently only because he didn't want to say something that might prove controversial, as is often his habit.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Pettitte's back throwing wrench in plans — Yankees have options on table if lefty can't start season on time — TAMPA, Fla. — While Andy Pettitte settles for simply playing catch, the Yankees are preparing contingency plans in case their projected No. 2 starter is not available to make his first appearance of the season.
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Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Frandsen injures Achilles tendon — Infielder could be sidelined for entire season — TUCSON, Ariz. — Giants infielder Kevin Frandsen faces the possibility of missing the entire season after suffering what is believed to be a ruptured left Achilles tendon Monday in a Minor League exhibition game at Scottsdale, Ariz.
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Sports Illustrated:
When he's not taking care of Nationals' NCAA pool, Lo Duca can't wait for opener — VIERA, Fla. (AP) -Paul Lo Duca spent a good chunk of his Monday meticulously updating the NCAA tournament pool charts hanging in the home clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium. — There he was in the morning …
Discussion:
ShysterBall
MLB.com:
Yankees reach 3.8 million tickets sold for the 2008 season; Marks record pace in final season at current Yankee Stadium — The Yankees announced today they have exceeded 3.8 million tickets sold for the 2008 season, marking the earliest the club has ever reached that level.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Hughes, Yanks happy with latest effort — Young right-hander rebounds from rocky spring outings — TAMPA, Fla. — Phil Hughes thought his latest outing was “one thousand times better,” and Yankees manager Joe Girardi wasn't about to question those mathematics.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Drew sidelined with sore back — Veteran outfielder replaced in Opening Day lineup by Moss — TOKYO — Just a few minutes before the first pitch of the 2008 season, Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew was scratched from the lineup due to tightness in his lower back.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Sean Smith / Hardball Times:
Measuring defense for players back to 1956 (Part 2) — In January, I introduced the TotalZone system. Using data available from Retrosheet, I was able to create quasi-play-by-play defensive ratings for all players from 1956 on. — To measure a player's defensive performance …
