Top News:
Joe Lavin / Joe Lavin's Humor Column:
Jose Canseco Reviewed: With Spoilers — There I was, wandering through a quaint Cambridge bookstore on Monday, when I noticed a copy of Jose Canseco's new book “Vindicated: Big Names, Big Liars, and The Battle to Save Baseball” in their tiny sports section. That's odd, I thought.
Discussion:
River Ave. Blues, Yankees Blog, Associated Press, Sabernomics, Boy of Summer, Pinstripes, Pa and Respect Jeter's Gangster
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Leitch / Deadspin:
Source: Canseco Accuses A-Rod Of Steroid Abuse, Wife Coveting, In New Book — In the next week, you're going to see more of Jose Canseco that you likely have much desire to see. But Canseco has a new book coming out April 1, Vindicated: Big Names, Big Liars, and the Battle to Save Baseball …
Discussion:
Bronx Liaison, Sliding Into Home, SPORTSbyBROOKS, FanHouse, Bugs & Cranks, ShysterBall, The LoHud Yankees Blog and YanksBlog.com
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Canseco goes after A-Rod in new book — Since last summer, Jose Canseco had hinted, strongly, that he would go after Alex Rodriguez in his next book. Now it appears that baseball's unwelcome whistle-blower has followed through - but he doesn't flat-out accuse A-Rod of using illegal performance-enhancing drugs.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Moss, Manny come up clutch — Rookie ties things up with blast, veteran drives in winning runs — TOKYO — The 24-year-old outfield prospect from Loganville, Ga., had to travel all the way to the Far East to club his first Major League homer. However, the timing was nothing short …
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ESPN.com:
Pettitte's 2008 debut pushed back — TAMPA, Fla. — Andy Pettitte will miss his first scheduled start of the regular season on April 2 against Toronto because of back spasms. — New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi expects Pettitte will start the third or fourth game instead.
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Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:
Brewers release Vargas — Phoenix - In a somewhat surprising move and a definite commitment toward youth, the Brewers just released veteran right-hander Claudio Vargas. — The move paves the way for two young pitchers, Manny Parra and Carlos Villanueva, to make the starting rotation, along with Ben Sheets, Jeff Suppan and Dave Bush.
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Veteran Vargas released by Brewers — Expected to compete for rotation spot, righty passed over — PHOENIX — In a surprising move on Tuesday, the Brewers released right-hander Claudio Vargas and set their starting rotation for Opening Day. — Vargas was 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA …
Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Register only one on waivers — PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets have put reliever Steven Register on waivers in an apparent attempt to keep the young right-hander in their system. — According to a source who had access to the waiver wire, Register was the only Met included as of this afternoon.
Discussion:
Mets Today
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Adam Rubin / Surfing the Mets:
Register on waivers, likely headed elsewhere — Reliever Steven Register has been placed on waivers, two sources unaffiliated with the Mets told the Daily News. That signals that Mets officials intend to turn elsewhere - presumably to Joe Smith or Brian Stokes - if Duaner Sanchez is not ready to break camp with the team.
MLB.com:
Cubs, outfielder Reed Johnson agree to one-year contract — Additionally, Cubs announce fifth round of roster cuts; Place right-hander Angel Guzman on 60-day disabled list — MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs today announced the club has agreed to terms with outfielder Reed Johnson on a one-year contract.
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Reid Laymance / Boston Globe:
The word from DIRECTV — Here's the official word from a DIRECTV spokesman on problems this morning with NESN and ESPN2 that kept the Sox game off the air until the seventh inning: — “We experienced some temporary technical difficulties early this morning that resulted in some channels not being available to customers.
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Diamond Leung / PE Angels Baseball:
Dodgers' Pierre Sits, Not Happy — Download story podcast — The Press-Enterprise — SURPRISE, ARIZ. - Juan Pierre sat in the clubhouse before Monday's game, appearing to stare glumly into space. Nearby, a lineup card was posted without his name on it for the second time in five days.
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Patrick Sullivan / Baseball Analysts:
2008 Over Unders — Last season I decided to run a piece …
2008 Over Unders — Last season I decided to run a piece …
Discussion:
Hardball Times
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Balentien out of mix in Mariners' outfield puzzle — Reed drawing interest from Padres, Rays — PEORIA, Ariz. — One piece was taken out of the Mariners' outfield puzzle Monday morning when rookie Wladimir Balentien was sent down to Triple-A Tacoma. — Although maybe it shouldn't have, the news came as a major blow to Balentien.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Rob Neyer / ESPN:
From Wright to Cabrera: The top 50 for five years … This winter, I made lists of the top players at each position over the next five seasons (2008 to 2012). Mistakes were made, readers were horrified and corrections were issued. With that experience to guide me, I've now combined …
Stephen J. Dubner / Freakonomics:
Bring Your Questions for Sabermetrician Bill James — If the name Bill James doesn't mean anything to you, then you are probably not a baseball fan and have no need to read further. If, however, you are a baseball fan — ranging from fairly serious to obsessively statistical …
Discussion:
Mets by the Numbers
Detroit Free Press:
It's official: Tigers, Miguel Cabrera reach deal; saved money by doing it now — LAKELAND, Fla. — The Tigers formally announced today the seven-year contract extension through 2015 with third baseman Miguel Cabrera that prevents him from leaving as a free agent after the 2009 season.
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Beltre prepared to play through pain — PEORIA, Ariz. — Adrian Beltre suited up to play Monday, just like he always does. — His daily preparations include a tight flexible bandage around his left wrist. — Beltre injured the wrist diving for a ball June 1 against Texas.