Top News:
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Mariners sign first-round pick Fields — Former Georgia closer was selected 20th overall in 2008 Draft — PEORIA, Ariz. — The Mariners have reached an agreement on a contract with Josh Fields, their first-round selection in last June's First-Year Player Draft.
The Big Lead:
An Interview with Peter Abraham of the Journal News — Pitchers and Catchers began reporting this week to Spring Training. Alex Rodriguez admitted to using anabolic steroids. So we interviewed a baseball writer, Peter Abraham of the Journal News (NY). He's got what is widely considered …
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Associated Press:
U-Miami renames baseball stadium after A-Rod — CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Saying he had a responsibility to give back, Alex Rodriguez briefly addressed the drug scandal that has enveloped his life for the last week Friday night when Miami formally renamed its baseball field in his honor.
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Scott Lauber / Phillies:
EATON TO PHILS: RELEASE ME — CLEARWATER, Fla. — So, we heard from Adam Eaton a little bit ago. Eaton is, without question, the elephant in the clubhouse. After opting to go home instead of pitching in the Florida Instructional League last October, Eaton isn't in the running for the Phils …
MLB:
Leyritz to wait for trial in jail after bail revoked — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Former major leaguer Jim Leyritz had his bail revoked Friday and was put in jail to await trial on charges he killed a woman in a drunk driving accident. — Prosecutors said Leyritz drank alcohol before the trial …
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Top 100 Prospects — The Best of the Best
Discussion:
El Lefty Malo, Chuckie Hacks, Bluebird Banter, River Avenue Blues, Bottom9 Baseball and Projo Sox Blog
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
You wanted a roster, here's a roster — I have literally received two dozen e-mails from people in the last 24 hours asking about roster numbers. Rather than answer all of them, I asked the Yankees to e-mail me a roster I could post. So thanks to the very efficient Connie, here you go:
Associated Press:
Santana, Aybar hearings rescheduled — PHOENIX — Salary arbitration hearings for Los Angeles Angels pitcher Ervin Santana and Tampa Bay infielder Willy Aybar were postponed Friday. — The hearings will be rescheduled for next week unless the players reach agreements with their teams, which appears increasingly likely.
Associated Press:
Mets' Santana won't pitch for Venezuela in WBC … CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — New York Mets ace Johan Santana will not be pitching for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. — The Venezuelan Baseball Federation announced Friday the two-time Cy Young winner will miss the tournament that begins next month.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Tyler Kepner / Bats:
Yankees Sign Brett Tomko — With the first workout for pitchers and catchers on Saturday, the Yankees are still fine-tuning their minor league contracts. General Manager Brian Cashman confirmed that the team has signed Brett Tomko to a minor league deal. — Tomko, who turns 36 on April 7, is 95-99 over a 12-year career.
Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
N.C.A.A. Ban on Lawyers for Athletes Ruled Illegal — An Ohio court ruling on Thursday could markedly alter negotiations between Major League Baseball draft picks and their teams if it withstands appeal. — Erie County Judge Tygh M. Tone ruled that an N.C.A.A. rule, which renders …
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Torre, Colletti keeping tabs on Manny — Dodgers not backing off pursuit with camp under way — PHOENIX — Chances are if the Dodgers are ever going to make a deal with Manny Ramirez, the most experienced deal makers in the organization — owners Frank and Jamie McCourt — will be the ones making it.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Mets sign Martinez to Minors deal — Infielder played in seven games with club last season — The Mets added a familiar infielder to Spring Training camp, signing Ramon Martinez to a Minor League deal, according to multiple sources. — Martinez, 36, appeared in seven games for the Mets …
Discussion:
The 'Ropolitans
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Associated Press:
New witness claims she saw trainer inject Bonds — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Federal prosecutors plan to call Barry Bonds' former personal shopper to testify at his trial next month that she saw the slugger's personal trainer inject him. — Prosecutors also said in a court filing Friday …
Discussion:
Fox Sports
Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
Hardly a Dunn Deal From Start — Slugger Needed Some Convincing, Hopes Club Will Improve With Health — The story of how Adam Dunn, arguably the most prodigious home run hitter in baseball, came to be standing before a podium in the interview room at Nationals Park yesterday …
Discussion:
Nats320, Can't Stop The Bleeding, Red Hot Mama, MLB.com, D.C. Sports Bog, Federal Baseball and The Nationals Enquirer
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