Top News:
MLB.com:
Dodgers, Manny agree to two-year deal — Long negotiation process ends with $45 million contract — PHOENIX — The Dodgers have agreed in principal on a two-year, $45 million deal to re-sign free agent left fielder Manny Ramirez, a baseball source said on Wednesday morning.
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ESPN.com:
Los Angeles Dodgers finalize deal with Manny Ramirez — After months of back-and-forth negotiations, a meeting Wednesday between Manny Ramirez, his agents and Los Angeles Dodgers management has culminated in a deal for the slugger. — Ramirez — Ramirez and the Dodgers have agreed …
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts, ESPN, The Futility Infielder, Baseball Musings, Fack Youk and Mets Geek
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Manny Ramirez and Dodgers make a deal — Ramirez agrees to a two-year, $45-million deal; it includes an opt-out clause that he can exercise at the end of the first year. The outfielder still must pass a physical before signing. — Reporting from Phoenix — Late-night flights …
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Johan says he wants Opening Day start — PORT ST. LUCIE - Johan Santana tossed a 46-pitch bullpen session Wednesday and then predicted he would take the ball on Opening Day in Cincinnati on April 6. — “All plans have to have room for modification,” said pitching coach Dan Warthen …
Discussion:
The Back Page, Mets Merized Online, The Mets Are Better Than Sex, MetsBlog.com and Fox Sports
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Johan shooting to pitch Opening Day — Mets ace tosses 46-pitch bullpen session Wednesday — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — After throwing 46 pitches in his seventh bullpen session of the spring and speaking with his pitching coach and a member of the media relations department …
Discussion:
24 Hours From Suicide
Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:
Kasten: “I'm a fan of continuity” — I am gonna flesh out a longer news story about the Rizzo promotion. (The linguistics of this are tricky: Is he the interim GM? No. Acting GM? That's about right.) But in the meantime, here is a transcript of what Stan Kasten and Mike Rizzo both said this morning...
Discussion:
NATIONALS NEWS NETWORK, Nats Triple Play, Oleanders and Morning Glories and Yahoo! Sports
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Rizzo to take bulk of Nats' duties — Assistant GM will work with Kasten while GM post remains vacant — VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals decided Wednesday that their general manager's position will remain vacant for the foreseeable future. — Team president Stan Kasten will remain the person in charge …
Discussion:
Nationals Farm Authority
Hartford Courant:
Yankees' Alex Rodriguez Has Cyst In Hip — Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has a new problem. — Hours after he played Tuesday for the Dominican Republic in a tuneup for the World Baseball Classic, the Yankees announced he would have his ailing hip checked by a specialist.
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Dave Scheiber / St. Petersburg Times:Yankees' Jeter adjusts quickly to facing teammates with World Baseball Classic squad
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Tyler Kepner / Bats:
Yanks' Best Athlete: Cody Ransom? — ORLANDO, Fla. - You might think Mariano Rivera is the best athlete on the Yankees. Or Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, C.C. Sabathia, Andrew Brackman, Austin Jackson or Johnny Damon. But you would be wrong. — At least, that's according to Damon …
Discussion:
It is about the money, stupid
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MLB:
Oakland Athletics pitcher Justin Duchscherer to seek second opinion on elbow — PHOENIX — Oakland Athletics pitcher Justin Duchscherer will get a second opinion on his sore right elbow, and it was uncertain whether he'd be ready to begin the season. — “His Opening Day start is definitely in jeopardy …
Discussion:
ESPN.com
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Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's, Garciaparra ready to finalize deal — Nomar Garciaparra will be Oakland's second high-profile acquisition this week when his one-year deal is made official. — A source close to Garciaparra told The Chronicle on Tuesday that the veteran infielder has agreed to terms with the A's and that the deal will be announced Friday.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
JSOnline:
Cain added to camp — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — Phoenix - In a move designed to ease the shortage of healthy outfielders in camp, the Brewers have added prospect Lorenzo Cain to their list of non-roster invitees. So, now, he's officially in their camp.
Paul Hagen / Philly.com:
Stuck in the shadows — ONE TIME, the former major league pitcher recalled, the package that arrived in the mail looked like it contained pastries. The label even said something like Johnny's Bakery on it. Puzzled, he opened the box. Sure enough, he found cookies inside.
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Craig Calcaterra / Hardball Times:Doing the Digging George Mitchell Didn't
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Joe Smith / St. Petersburg Times:
Good preparation helps Tampa Bay Rays backup catcher Shawn Riggans grow into role — Shawn Riggans spent much of his free time last season taking notes and studying film. — Times] — PORT CHARLOTTE — Dioner Navarro puts it simply: Shawn Riggans “loves to talk.”
Discussion:
DRaysBay
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David Lennon / Newsday:
Strawberry says he would have taken steroids — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Alex Rodriguez regrets that he took steroids. Darryl Strawberry wishes that he had. Or at least had the opportunity to try them. That's what the outspoken Strawberry revealed yesterday when asked if he would have chosen …
