Top News:
Ken Belson / New York Times:
It's Going, Going ... Did You See Where It Went? — There is a reason baseball fans call them cheap seats, those perches far from home plate in the outfield, the upper decks and down the lines, often with obscured views of the game. — The Mets and the Yankees together have spent …
Discussion:
Watchdog, Mariners Insider, Respect Jeter's Gangster, The Mets Police, Dom D's Mets Fan Blog and New York Post
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Pods will be released, Rox explore deals for Gaudin, Hammel — Tucson — As they say goodbye to a respected veteran, the Rockies are attempting to say hello to a new pitcher, exploring trades for the Cubs' Chad Gaudin and Tampa's Jason Hammel. — Dexter Fowler's emergence and a crowded Triple …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
ESPN.com:
New York Yankees' Joba Chamberlain pleads guilty to DUI charge — LINCOLN, Neb. — New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain has pleaded guilty to a Nebraska charge of drunken driving and has been given probation. — After a plea deal, prosecutors dropped the second charge of driving with an open alcohol container.
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Veteran Ponson appears set for Royals rotation — It doesn't matter, it seems, that veteran right-hander Sidney Ponson gave up seven runs in five innings Tuesday in a 7-2 loss to the Oakland A's. — The Royals seem ready, regardless, to anoint him as the fourth member of their rotation — albeit not officially.
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels' Joe Saunders may be experiencing ‘dead arm’ — Manager Mike Scioscia says he is disappointed about his opening-day starter's outing Monday. Possible culprits include a tired arm and food poisoning. — Reporting from Mesa, Ariz. — Just what the Angels need, another potential problem with a starting pitcher.
Beck / Beck's Blog:
Porcello, Perry make team, Robertson in relief — Rick Porcello and Ryan Perry have a combined 38 games of professional baseball experience, none of it above Class A ball. But they'll have two spots on the Tigers' 12-man pitching staff. — In the end, talent won out over the experience.
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
AL EAST PREVIEW — The division preview series continues with what maybe the strongest division in baseball, the American League East. I'm rating the core of the team, the eight position players and designated hitter, five starters and closer by value wins or WAR. — Tampa Bay Rays
Matt P / The700Level.com:
And a Phillies Fan Has Already Been Asked to Leave Citi Field — The following fan report comes from one of the first Phillies fans to step foot in Citi Field, the Mets new home. It also comes from the first Phillies fan to get the boot from said stadium. Seems his choice in attire was not appreciated.
Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:
Pena Given Unconditional Release — After refusing to accept a minor league assignment, Wily Mo Pena was released tonight by the Washington Nationals, ending the outfielder's tenure with an organization that once viewed him as a centerpiece of its future. Pena had been placed on waivers this weekend, but went unclaimed.
Patrick Saunders / All Things Rockies:
Rockies Recap: De La Rosa sharp, whiffs 9 — Rockies' 4, White Sox 1 — At the plate: In what was likely Scott Podsednik's swan song with the Rockies, the outfielder went 2-for-4 with a double. Clint Barmes regained his stroke, going 3-for-3 with an RBI.
Discussion:
Purple Row
RELATED:
Adam Rubin / Surfing the Mets:
Maine on track, Putz finger okay after exit — John Maine limited the Marlins to two runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings as the Mets beat Florida, 9-2, Tuesday night. Maine also produced an RBI when Anibal Sanchez walked him with the bases loaded. — “I still think I'm a couple …
Discussion:
priced out of the citi., 24 Hours From Suicide, Mets Fever and The Musings and Prophecies …
Nate Silver / ESPN:
Defensive Shift — A few changes in the field can dramatically change your team's D ... for better or worse. — STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME Become an Insider Today — ESPN The Magazine — How did we, at Baseball Prospectus, predict that the Rays, who had never won more than 70 games in any season …
Discussion:
The Yankee Universe
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Park overjoyed to be Phils' No. 5 starter — After putting all aside in bid for role, veteran hurler overcomes Happ — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Chan Ho Park signed with the Phillies because they promised him the opportunity to win a job in the rotation. — He wanted that job so badly …
RELATED:
Todd Zolecki / The Zo Zone:
Park Wins Fifth Job, Phils Contact Sheffield
Park Wins Fifth Job, Phils Contact Sheffield
Discussion:
The Fish Pond, FanGraphs Baseball, DRaysBay, Philliesflow.com, crashburnalley.com, The Good Phight and MLB FanHouse
Associated Press:
Brewers' Braun day-to-day with thumb injury … PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun is day-to-day with a right thumb contusion after leaving in the second inning of Tuesday night's game against the San Diego Padres. — The 2007 National League rookie of the year …
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins part ways with McPherson — Team also sends Ryan, De Aza and Koronka to Minors camp — JUPITER, Fla. — With Emilio Bonifacio solidifying the third-base job, Dallas McPherson became expendable. — After the Marlins lost, 9-2, to the Mets on Tuesday night, the Marlins announced that McPherson has been released.
Discussion:
MVN
Tyler Kepner / Bats:
No Worries: Joba at 96 M.P.H. — SARASOTA, Fla. - If anybody is worried about Joba Chamberlain's velocity, don't be. He is out after 5 1/3 innings here in Sarasota against the Reds, and he looked terrific. A scout I just talked to said he clocked Chamberlain as high as 96 miles an hour …
Discussion:
The Yankee Universe, Sliding Into Home, River Avenue Blues, Bombers Beat, ESPN and The LoHud Yankees Blog
Associated Press:
AP Poll: MLB games just too expensive, fans say … Take me out to the ballgame ... because I can't afford it. — The high price of going to a game is now the No. 1 problem in Major League Baseball, a new Associated Press-Knowledge Networks poll of fans shows.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Gardner wins Dawson Award — This from the Yankees as well ... The Yankees today announced that outfielder Brett Gardner is the recipient of the 2009 James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the outstanding Yankees rookie in spring training. Gardner will receive the award in a pre-game ceremony …
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Reds refute Matthews-for-starter report — Jocketty also says club hasn't discussed Sheffield's availability — SARASOTA, Fla. — The Reds' official response to a report linking them with the Angels in a potential trade for outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. was at first a brief “no comment.”
Discussion:
Cutoff Man
Trsullivan / Postcards from Elysian Fields:
Phillies Interested In Jones, Reds Interested In Arias — The Philadelphia Phillies are showing interest in both Gary Sheffield and Andruw Jones. The Phillies released Geoff Jenkins today and Sheffield was also released today by the Detroit Tigers. The Phillies have been scouting Jones extensively this spring.