Top News:
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Rays look at Rodriguez as they try to find trade fit — There is growing momentum for a trade to transpire between Tampa Bay and the Rockies involving right-hander Jason Hammel. The Rays heavily scouted the Rockies this past week, keeping a close eye on Double-A starter Aneury Rodriguez.
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Tracy Ringolsby / Inside the Rockies:
Details Holding up Hammel Trade — While the Rockies work to finalize details to obtain right-hander Jason Hammel from Tampa Bay they will be afforded one more opportunity to see him pitch Sunday. Hammel will pitch along with Jeff Neiman, his competition for the fifth spot in the Rays rotation …
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yankees make their choice: Pena — Following today's game, the Yankees added Ramiro Pena to the 40-man roster and reassigned INF Angel Berroa to minor league camp. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated RHP Dan Giese for assignment. — Pena will wear No. 19.
ESPN:
Red Sox are preseason No. 1 — The Boston Red Sox finished second in their division and second in the American League in 2008. But according to ESPN.com's preseason Power Rankings, they are second to none heading into the 2009 season. — ESPN.com asked 15 of ESPN's leading baseball experts …
Discussion:
Purple Row
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Alex Belth / bronxbanterblog.com:
Scenes from a Mall — It stopped raining by the middle of the afternoon on Friday. I walked through Central Park to reach the subway at Columbus Circle. It was damp and warm and the early spring evening light was almost pale white. I paused to take in the massive Time Warner towers …
Associated Press:
Mark Teixeira hits 2 HRs, Yankees win again in new park — NEW YORK — Mark Teixeira is feeling right at home in his new house. — Flashing the power stroke that earned him a $180 million contract with the Yankees, Teixeira homered twice and drove in four runs to lead New York over the lethargic Chicago Cubs 10-1 on Saturday.
ESPN.com:
3B David Wright's sales pitch lands Gary Sheffield for New York Mets … NEW YORK — Jimmy Rollins was recruiting Gary Sheffield. Dusty Baker, too. But when New York Mets star David Wright reached out to the nine-time All-Star, he apparently sealed the deal.
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David Murphy / Philly.com:
Cairo it is: Phillies finalize roster — When Miguel Cairo signed a minor league contract with the Phillies early in spring training, I labelled him a “long shot” to make the Opening Day roster. But as spring progressed, it became apparent that the 13-year veteran was playing his way into the conversation.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
David Appelman / FanGraphs Baseball:
Live Twitter Feeds (Beta) — For those of you who visited FanGraphs for the first time this off-season, you may not realize that we track every game's win probability in real time during the season. This year, we're also going to “tweet” every play and win probability in real time!
Discussion:
Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Final: Red Sox 9, Mets 3 — ON TO THE REGULAR SEASON (4:35, END GAME, 9-3 SOX) — With the 9-3 win over the Mets, the Red Sox have reached the end of spring training. Next up: the Rays and the regular season. Finally. — BETTER DAY FOR YOUK (3:21, TOP 6, 9-1 SOX)
Juan C. Rodriguez / Florida Marlins:
Marlins finalize Opening Day roster — After Friday's game, the Marlins optioned right-hander Carlos Martinez to Triple-A New Orleans, reassigned right-hander Brian Sanches to minor league camp and selected the contracts of infielder Andy Gonzalez and right-hander Kiko Calero.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Florida Marlins:
Marlins' Bonifacio to leadoff against everybody
Marlins' Bonifacio to leadoff against everybody
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Carter spotted opportunity — He then earned place as Red Sox' 25th man — Chris Carter put in extra work on his fielding during spring training. (CHARLES KRUPA/Associated Press) — NEW YORK - The stories verge on legendary, both for their oddity and their ubiquitousness.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Jim Hodges / MLB.com:
Kearns favored for right field — Dukes, Willingham reduced to possible bench roles — NORFOLK, Va. — The word went out Friday, and manager Manny Acta knows that it's going to make some Nationals unhappy. — That's OK. — “You know what? I'd rather have two or three guys …