Top News:
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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Associated Press:Oklahoma St. star reinstated after winning lawsuit against NCAA
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Baseball Insider
Sean McAdam / Boston Herald:
Tim Wakefield trusts in Josh Bard — Doesn't foresee issues — FORT MYERS - Three years ago, Josh Bard couldn't handle Tim Wakefield [stats]'s knuckleball, forcing the Sox to deal Bard and reacquire Doug Mirabelli [stats]. — This spring, Bard is back and penciled in as Wakefield's catcher …
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:Mind over batter — Buchholz tries to put adversity far behind him
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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 …
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The 'Ropolitans
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
News: Ramon Martinez back with Mets — Ramon Martinez will return to the Mets as a non-roster invitee, though he has not yet reported to camp. — The 36-year-old Martinez, who bats right-handed, hit .250 in seven games for the Mets last season. — He was the team's starting second baseman in their final game of the year.
Discussion:
Angels blog
Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
A Boost and a Blast — Finally, the Nationals can smile. And show their faces when they do it. — After three years as owners, the Lerner family can point at Adam Dunn — all 275 pounds of him, with five straight 40-homer seasons — and say, as Mark Lerner did yesterday: “We are thrilled. …
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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.
Jayson Stark / MLB:
Stark: Goodbye offseason, hello spring training — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Is it over yet? — We're talking, of course, about a period we once used to refer to as “the offseason.” (Sheez, you were expecting maybe the A-Rod-Madonna lovefest?) — That isn't a question we normally ask …
Discussion:
Wrigleyville23
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 …
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Fox Sports
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.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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 …
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
McLouth hopes to avoid arbitration — Tuesday hearing approaches as outfielder, Bucs continue talks — BRADENTON, Fla. — On Friday, all focus could be on baseball for Nate McLouth, who arrived here to begin working out on Wednesday. But looming over the All-Star outfielder …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Bob Raissman / NY Daily News:
Raissman: YES is best cover for Alex … While watching the Yankees fail to qualify for a playoff berth in his rookie season as Yankees manager, Joe Girardi managed to alienate the media covering the team. — Girardi staked his final claim to lame in late September when he lied to reporters …
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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 …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets rotation arrives early, has great chemistry — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Mets' rotation doesn't have — CC Sabathia, Derek Lowe or even Pedro Martinez anymore. But what it appears to have is chemistry and a sense of purpose, two things on display even before the official beginning of spring training.
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers are striking out in Arizona — The Dodgers anticipated a financial windfall by moving their preseason home from Vero Beach to Phoenix, but so far it hasn't worked out that way. — Reporting from Phoenix — The Dodgers anticipated a financial windfall by moving their preseason home from Vero Beach …
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Low preseason expectations for White Sox — Prospectus has Sox in cellar, Cubs winning Central (but not Series) — As White Sox pitchers and catchers report for spring training Sunday, Ken Williams might want to make Baseball Prospectus 2009 mandatory reading.
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Bottom9 Baseball
