Top News:
Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
Magic Johnson's group reaches agreement to buy Dodgers — From McCourt to Showtime. — Tuesday afternoon, Major League Baseball owners unanimously approved the three remaining bidding groups as possible owners of the Dodgers. The next step was an auction to buy the club …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Dodgers fans can rejoice in Magic deal — FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi on what Magic Johnson will bring to the Dodgers — Frank McCourt just recorded one of the greatest assists in sports history. — He passed to Magic Johnson. — Sure, there were other names on the news release …
Discussion:
Bats, HardballTalk and Baseball Nation
Matthew Futterman / Wall Street Journal:
Magic Johnson Wins Auction for Los Angeles Dodgers — Basketball legend Magic Johnson led a group that won an auction for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team Tuesday night, marking the final chapter in a soap-opera-style saga for the legendary franchise. — With a bid of $2.15 billion …
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts, Mike Scioscia's tragic illness, ESPN, The Big Lead, FanGraphs Baseball, LA Observed, Gaslamp Ball, True Blue LA and Deadspin
Globe and Mail:
L.A. Dodgers sold to group with Magic Johnson — Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has announced an agreement to sell the bankrupt team for $2-billion (U.S.) to a group that includes former Lakers star Magic Johnson and former Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals President Stan Kasten.
Discussion:
ESPN, Baseball Prospectus, 6-4-2, True Blue LA and Mike Scioscia's tragic illness
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers sold to Magic Johnson's group — GLENDALE, Ariz. — A deal has been consummated between the Dodgers and Magic Johnson's bidding group for the Dodgers and Dodger Stadium, according to a baseball source. Johnson's group includes former baseball executive Stan Kasten and Guggenheim Partners.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball and 6-4-2
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Johnson/Kasten Group Agrees To Purchase Dodgers
Johnson/Kasten Group Agrees To Purchase Dodgers
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and Mike Scioscia's tragic illness
Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Upton acknowledges opening day now less likely — UPDATE, 4:26: And right in line with Upton's revised perspective, manager Joe Maddon said he, exec VP Andrew Friedman and head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield will meet tonight with Upton to discuss his status and availability.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Zimmermann, Werth power Nats past Mets — Righty tosses six shutout innings; slugger hits fourth spring homer — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The start of the regular season may still be a week away, but Jayson Werth and Jordan Zimmermann certainly look ready.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Associated Press:
Ackley and Suzuki Lead Mariners Season-Opening Victory in Tokyo — TOKYO (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki had four hits in his return to Japan, Dustin Ackley homered and then singled in the go-ahead run in the 11th inning, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 3-1 Wednesday night in baseball's season-opener.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Lookout Landing
Ken Rosenthal / mlbbuzz:
Notes from spring training — • The Chicago Cubs are indeed receiving inquiries on center fielder Marlon Byrd, as first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. But at this a point, a trade is unlikely. — Byrd, 34, would fit with Atlanta, Washington and Philadelphia, among other clubs.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Drunk Jays Fans
Larry Stone / Boston Herald:
Mariners' future looks brighter even when viewed at 3 a.m. — SEATTLE — To be up front right up front: I have no idea how the Mariners did in their season opener, even though it might well be over and done with as you read this. — Such are the time-zone vagaries of playing games in Japan …
Discussion:
Hardball Times
Eric Jaffe / The Atlantic Cities:
How to Build a Successful Downtown Stadium — Coors Field, in downtown Denver, became home to baseball's Colorado Rockies in 1995. Its impact on the city was as immediate as it was considerable: housing units in the area of the stadium doubled within a year of its completion …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Getting Blanked
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Approach here isn't very defensible — FORT MYERS, Fla. - Someday - maybe when hell freezes over - we will hear a Red Sox manager or general manager say that the team is sacrificing offense for defense at shortstop. — We thought this might be the time, but the rejection button on defense …
Discussion:
The Soxaholix