Top News:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Sosa may get rotation shot — Struggles by Pelfrey, Hernandez open door for righty — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Jorge Sosa temporarily became an effective solution for a rotation problem the Mets developed in May. For five weeks, the castaway right-handed pitcher provided consistent performances …
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Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:
FIFTH AVENUE — VARGAS COULD FILL OUT ROTATION — Claudio Vargas could be a candidate for the Mets' No. 5 starter vacancy. — The 29-year-old right hander was released yesterday by the Brewers in a salary dump, and Mets GM Omar Minaya said his club will have a strong interest now that Vargas reportedly has cleared waivers.
Sports Illustrated:
Pelfrey looking like Mets' fifth starter — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets decisionmakers appear set to overlook top pitching prospect Mike Pelfrey's poor spring and name him the No. 5 starter in coming days, sources said. Club officials will gather here Wednesday, but the momentum is strong …
Deadspin:
The Excerpts From “Vindicated” About Alex Rodriguez — Ever since Joe Lavin announced he'd bought a copy of Jose Canseco's Vindicated earlier today, people — OK, some people — have been curious what EXACTLY Canseco said. After the jump, the selections from Vindicated concerning Alex Rodriguez.
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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.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Babes Love Baseball, Al's Ramblings, Brew Crew Ball, Mostly Mets, Brewers Bar and Hot Foot
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gibby's 1.12 ERA: 40 years later — JUPITER, Fla. — On his way to changing baseball history, Bob Gibson was willing to break baseball tradition. — During one particularly low-scoring game in 1968, the Cardinals' opponent had runners on first and third bases with no outs.
Discussion:
ShysterBall
Todd Zolecki / Philly.com:
Benson staying a Phillie — CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Phillies did not add pitcher Kris Benson to their 40-man roster yesterday, but the righthander will remain with the team, as his 24-hour window to opt out of his contract has passed. — “I'm feeling good with the clubhouse and the pitching coach and the manager,” Benson said.
ESPN:
MLB Transactions — View by team: — TEAM — Agreed to terms with outfielder Reed Johnson, who had been with the Toronto Blue Jays, on a one-year contract; optioned outfielders Sam Fuld and Eric Patterson to Iowa of the Pacific Coast League (AAA); assigned pitcher Les Walrond …
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Three for the money — Mike Mussina has found the fountain of youth, and it resides in the picturesque lake that can be seen on the wall next to his locker. — “Lake Mussina,” as it has come to be known, is the centerpiece of a corner of the Yankees' home clubhouse at Legends Field.
Discussion:
New York Post
Ronald Blum / Yahoo! Sports:
Congress questions whether Clemens lied — Roger Clemens got some new Republican support in his dispute with Brian McNamee. — Reprising the partisan nature of last month's congressional hearing that examined whether the seven-time Cy Young Award winner took performance-enhancing drugs …
Discussion:
Washington Post, The Biz of Baseball, AaronGleeman.com, FanHouse and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Phil Birnbaum / Sabermetric Research:
Do players turn “clutch” when chasing a personal goal? — The better a level of performance, the harder it is to achieve it. There should be more .270 hitters than .275 hitters, more .275 hitters than .285 hitters, and so on. — But, surprisingly, there's an exception …
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Yahoo! Sports:
Padres pick up Black's option — PEORIA, ARIZONA (TICKER) —The San Diego Padres on Tuesday exercised their 2009 contract option on manager Bud Black, who last season guided the team to its best record in nearly a decade. — Black, 50, made his managerial debut with the Padres last year and posted an 89-74 record.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Furman Bisher / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Sayonara, baseball tradition — Baseball used to be a game played with nine men to a side, two managers, four umpires, and the major-league season always opened in Cincinnati. Come to think of it now, that would be sort of like “Gone With the Wind” opening in Valdosta. But Cincinnati had a deal, see.
Jim Caple / ESPN:
Red Sox survive shaky outing from Dice-K to win opener … TOKYO — If butterflies the size of Mothra fluttered inside Daisuke Matsuzaka's gut Tuesday, it would be understandable. — After all, he was only the Opening Day starter for the defending world champions. And he was pitching in his hometown.
George A. King III / New York Post:
PETTITTE: I'LL BE READY TO GO IN FIRST WEEK — WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Even though Andy Pettitte hasn't pitched since March 17, has just eight spring training innings and won't face live hitters - minor leaguers at that - until Saturday, he believes the Yankees can count on him to start …
