Top News:
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
Source: Kelvim Escobar may be seriously hurt — UPDATE: Adam Rubin of the Daily News tweets: … Santana's not a doctor of course and a playing catch grip is different than a pitching-at-full-speed grip, but this, at the very least, undercuts my earlier report. Obviously I'll update with anything new that comes out.
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Kelvim Escobar Can't Grip a Baseball — According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News, Johan Santana said he recently played catch with Kelvim Escobar, and reports Escobar is unable to grip a baseball are not true. — Original Post at 11:35 am: — Yesterday, in a post to the New York Times …
Discussion:
The Real Dirty Mets Blog
David Waldstein / Bats:
Wright Is Upbeat, an Early Sign of Spring — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — In the months after the disappointing 2009 season, Mets fans watched carefully to see how the front office would respond. The team signed Jason Bay and made additions to the pitching staff, but that did not seem to satisfy …
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Excited Vazquez arrives at Yankees camp — Back in pinstripes, veteran concerned about only winning — TAMPA, Fla. — Just prior to Javier Vazquez's first season in Montreal, the Expos traded their defending National League Cy Young Award winner, Pedro Martinez, to the Red Sox …
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Stark: Yankees' camp opens far differently that it did a year ago — A year after A-Rod's steroids news conference, Yankees' camp begins rather quietly — TAMPA, Fla. — The manager of the 27-time champions stationed himself Wednesday under the world-famous Steinbrenner Field big top.
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Notes from Day 1 — There wasn't much breaking news coming out of Steinbrenner Field this morning. The Yankees pitchers and catchers showed up, then some of them talked, then all of them left. For a first day of spring training, it was pretty much exactly what you would expect.
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:Girardi: “The expectation here is the same every year”
Discussion:
BronxBanterBlog.com
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Chris Antonetti to replace Mark Shapiro as Cleveland Indians GM … CLEVELAND — There will be changes at the top of the Indians organization. — GM Mark Shapiro will assume the role of club president at the conclusion of the upcoming season, according to a team release issued this morning.
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Anthony Castrovince / CastroTurf:Shapiro to become Tribe prez, Antonetti to become GM following 2010 season
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Eager to lead Rox, Helton arrives early — Veteran will be cautious in spring to preserve his back — TUCSON, Ariz. — Spring Training hasn't changed for Todd Helton. He understands that the exhibition season is a grind, and anything that happens in games disappears once the regular season begins.
Discussion:
Inside the Colorado Rockies
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Helton learns vital lesson from last year — The veteran says he needs more rest this season to stay effective because he was worn down by the end of 2009. — The Denver Post — TUCSON — A year ago at this time, there was uncertainty. Todd Helton wasn't sure how his surgically repaired back was going to respond.
Andy Martino / Philly.com:
Inside the Phillies: Unlike health, faith never lets Lidge down — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Brad Lidge's defining characteristic is belief - in God, in himself, in the basic goodness of the world. He feels that all suffering happens for a reason, and will always lead to better days.
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The Biz of Baseball:
THE CASE FOR RODRIGUEZ — Praver will argue that Rodriguez had an exceptional season in 2009, posting career bests in ERA (3.02), innings pitched (205.2), Hits per 9 (8.4), Walks per 9 (2.8), and WHIP (1.240). In the National League he ranked 9th in ERA, 15th in innings pitched …
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals in no hurry to sign fill-in for Ryan — JUPITER, Fla. — The list of available free agents who could augment the Cardinals' roster could soon be picked clean, but even with Brendan Ryan's recent surgery and a tenderfoot bench, general manager John Mozeliak sees the start of spring training as time for patience.
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Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
Remoreseful Mark McGwire still denies steroids improved ability in impromptu press conference — JUPITER, Fla. - Mark McGwire was ready to talk when he made his official return to baseball as batting coach for the St.Louis Cardinals yesterday. — After a lengthy coaches meeting with manager Tony LaRussa …
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Alex Speier / Full Count:
The Fort Report: Wednesday's developments — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Technically, the reporting date for Red Sox pitchers and catchers to spring training is on Thursday, but by Wednesday, virtually all of the pitchers who are competing for major league spots this spring had arrived.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, sox1fan.com, Over the Monster, The House That Dewey Built, MLB Rumors and The Bottom Line
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats win arbitration case with Bruney — Reliever will be paid $1.5 million; had requested $1.85 million — Reliever Brian Bruney lost his arbitration case Wednesday, meaning he will make $1.5 million in his first season with the Nationals instead of the $1.85 million he was seeking.
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Chip / FanBlog: Astros:
Upon further review, Astros have an option with Paulino — Here's some news that could be a game changer for the Astros this spring: Felipe Paulino actually has one option left. — Previously, we had written here that Paulino was out of options. It had also been discussed in Richard Justice's blog …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Stark: Goodbye offseason, hello spring training — Leaving winter in the rearview mirror, and eyeing what awaits in Florida and Arizona — We're not sure what winter looked and felt like where you live. But from where we live, in the tundra formerly known as Pennsylvania …
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
MLB.com:
Atlanta Braves to host open auditions for Game Entertainment Team — The Atlanta Braves are searching for charismatic, spirited individuals with the ability to engage fans and work within a family environment, to audition for the Heavy Hitters Drumline and Tomahawk Team.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
