Top News:
David Laurila / FanGraphs Baseball:
Rosenheck & Jonas: International Draft Issues — MLB's new Collective Bargaining Agreement seemingly portends an international draft — Bud Selig has called it inevitable — but questions remain. Among them are: “Is it a good idea?” and “Is it even practical?”
Discussion:
Baseball America
John Lott / National Post:
Blue Jays' Dustin McGowan expects quick recovery from foot injury — DUNEDIN, Fla. — Dustin McGowan knows this injury, and he is not worried. — “It's still a little tender, but it's getting better, actually,” the Toronto Blue Jays' right-hander said Monday after undergoing treatment …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, MLB Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and Bluebird Banter
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Marmol returns strong in Cubs' split-squad win — MESA, Ariz. — Bryan LaHair hit an RBI double to back Paul Maholm, who struck out six over five scoreless innings and led a Cubs split squad to a 2-0 victory Monday over the Padres. — Maholm, expected to be the fifth starter for the Cubs …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Jackson nicked for three runs vs. D-backs — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Ian Kennedy pitched seven strong innings as the D-backs beat the Cubs, 3-2, on Monday afternoon in front of a sellout crowd at Salt River Fields. — Kennedy (2-2) became the first Arizona pitcher to last seven innings …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
As Niese's nose shrinks, Beltran's stays same — JUPITER, Fla. — Carlos Beltran kept his promise, after all — Beltran has officially paid his debts to Mets pitcher Jon Niese, forking over $10,000 for the Rhinoplasty operation that he originally recommended.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Greg Johns / MLB.com:
Fly, fly away: Mariners ride in a Blackhawk — TOKYO — Mariners players Justin Smoak, Dustin Ackley and George Sherrill got a different view of Japan on Monday. A little sideways it turned out, with hearts in their throats, as they received a thrill-of-a-lifetime ride on a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter.
Discussion:
Mariners Musings and Seattle Mariners blog
Brett / Bleacher Nation:
Dale Sveum is Losing Sleep Over Lineup Construction — There are folks who will tell you that lineup construction doesn't really matter - and they'll offer you advanced stats to prove it. I'm still a bit unsold in either direction (at bottom, I do agree with the idea that you want to bat …
Discussion:
THE BOOK and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Soriano, Mather lead way against Indians
Soriano, Mather lead way against Indians
Discussion:
Major League Bastian and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Joe Smith / Tampa Bay Times:
Tampa Bay Rays say Matt Bush won't remain in organization — PORT CHARLOTTE — Matt Bush is “not going to play for us” again, Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said Sunday, speaking for the first time about the minor-league pitcher's DUI hit-and-run arrest.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Purple Row and Baseball Nation
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Brewers, Lucroy Nearing Extension — The Brewers are nearing an extension with catcher Jonathan Lucroy, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports report (Twitter link). The deal with the Sports One Athlete Management client would be either four or five years long.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Daily Dish
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Jon Lester, Mike Adams Join ACES — Red Sox lefty Jon Lester and Rangers reliever Mike Adams have changed agencies, following agent Josh Yates to ACES. Both pitchers had formerly been represented by SFX Baseball. SFX negotiated Lester's then-precedent-setting five-year, $30MM deal three years ago.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Over the Monster
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Superb Lester fans 10 as Red Sox top Phils — Left-hander hurls seven scoreless innings, allows just two hits — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester fine-tuned things Monday against the Phillies at Bright House Field. — He allowed just two hits over seven scoreless innings …
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Wang likely to start season on DL; Lannan No. 5 — VIERA, Fla. — Nationals right-hander Chien-Ming Wang is expected to start the season on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring. — That means, according to manager Davey Johnson, left-hander John Lannan will be the fifth starter …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Andy McCullough / New Jersey Online:
Mets sign starter Chris Young to minor-league deal — JUPITER, Fla. - Another survivor of anterior capsule surgery has rejoined the Mets. Chris Young, who started four games last season, agreed to a minor-league deal today. He will fly to New York later this week for a physical, and report to Port St. Lucie afterward.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and MLB Rumors
David Waldstein / New York Times:
Michael Pineda Flashes His Fastball — TAMPA, Fla. — With a solid performance Sunday, Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda might have quelled for now some of the near panic over the mysterious loss of three or four miles per hour on his fastball. — Pitching against the Detroit Tigers …
Discussion:
NY Daily News, HardballTalk, Bronx Baseball Daily, Pinstripe Alley and MLB.com
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Marcum on upswing entering key season — Righty throws three innings against Dodgers, with three K's — PHOENIX — So far, so good for right-hander Shaun Marcum, who is playing catchup in a bid to begin the season in the Brewers' starting rotation. — Marcum, slowed this spring by a stiff shoulder, needs no extra motivation.
Discussion:
Getting Blanked and HardballTalk
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Kershaw solid for six innings against Crew