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 …
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 …
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Spring Game 8: Yankees at Braves — YANKEES — Pitching today: Ian Kennedy followed by Andrew Brackman, J.B. Cox, Dan Giese, Kei Igawa and Mark Melancon. — BRAVES — Anderson CF — Escobar SS — Johnson 2B — Kotchman 1B — Francoeur RF — Heyward LF — Infante 3B
Bombers Beat:
Yankees notes: Rivera to throw bullpen Thursday — Remember the Yankees notebooks? Yeah, so do I. Today presented a lot of tidbits that don't really warrant separate stories, so I'm bringing the format back. Something tells me I'll be doing this from time to time.
Discussion:
A DIE HARD YANKEES FAN
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, The Mets Are Better Than Sex, Mets Merized Online, Mets Blog and Fox Sports
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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
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, Yahoo! Sports and Oleanders and Morning Glories
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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
MLB:
James Shields to start opener for AL champion Tampa Bay Rays — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Rays manager Joe Maddon didn't wait to watch Tampa Bay's best pitchers in spring training. He picked right-hander James Shields on Wednesday as the team's Opening Day starter. — Shields
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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
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Murray Chass / Murray Chass On Baseball:
MIKE PIAZZA: HIS BAT AND HIS BACK — Baseball writers spend a lot of time in press boxes together, and the close and frequent proximity does not always foster positive relationships. For example, Joel Sherman of the New York Post and I do not have any kind of relationship. We have not talked for years.
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Rockies win B game against Arizona Diamondbacks — Attention fans: The good news is that the Rockies won today. The bad news? It doesn't count in the standings, as their 5-0 victory came in a B game against Arizona Diamondbacks' minor leaguers, save for pitcher Jon Garland and catcher Miguel Montero.
Discussion:
Purple Row
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 …
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.
