Top News:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Reds, Joey Votto Nearing Extension — 12:14pm: Votto confirmed to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that an extension is close. … It's a gray area" (Twitter link). — 11:40am: Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols won't be the only first basemen to cash in with historic contracts this offseason.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, baseballmusings.com, HardballTalk, FanGraphs Baseball and Baseball Nation
RELATED:
Jfay / Cincinnati Reds:
Votto, Reds close to extension — Joey Votto and the Reds are close to a long-term contract extension. Votto confirmed a report by mlbtraderumors.com — “I can't comment till it's done,” he said. “You'll have to ask Walt (Jocketty). It's a gray area. I'll be much more forthcoming later.”
Discussion:
Red Hot Mama
Janie Mccauley / Associated Press:
Cain agrees to $127.5M, 6-year deal with Giants — SAN FRANCISCO — Matt Cain has that hefty new contract he hoped for before opening day. — Cain and the San Francisco Giants agreed Monday to a $127.5 million, six-year contract, the largest deal for a right-handed pitcher in baseball history.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Comcast SportsNet:
Sources: Cain-Giants contract talks heat up — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Giants did more than pack their lockers as they broke camp Sunday. The front office also tried to wrap up right-hander Matt Cain. — Sources tell me that the volume of dialogue has increased between the Giants …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, McCovey Chronicles, MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and Crazy Crabbers
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Josh Beckett getting exam but is expected to make his first start — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Josh Beckett has a thumb injury that is being checked out today in San Antonio, Texas. But manager Bobby Valentine said he “totally” expects Beckett to start against the Detroit Tigers on Friday.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and the joy of sox
RELATED:
Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Braves:
Braves reliever Martinez arrested for DUI - updated — Braves reliever Cristhian Martinez was arrested early Monday morning in Gwinnett County on charges of DUI, after allegedly weaving in and out of a lane and traveling at a low speed on I-85, confirmed Gwinnett County police spokesman Corporal Jake Smith.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, baseballmusings.com and SI Tracking Blog
Associated Press:
Reds LH Chapman moved back to bullpen — GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Left-hander Aroldis Chapman is headed back to the Cincinnati Reds' injury-depleted bullpen after spending spring training getting ready to be a starter. — Chapman, entering his third season with Cincinnati …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Bay may start to lose grip on regular LF job — Mets on Twitter — PORT ST. LUCIE — Jason Bay won't lose his starting job this week or likely even this month, but it doesn't mean the Mets left fielder is untouchable. — Though the idea has not yet reached the discussion stage among team executives …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, FanGraphs Baseball, HardballTalk, Kranepool Society and MLB Rumors
Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Upton targeting return by mid-April — CF B.J. Upton said he is making good progress in his recovery from back soreness and is targeting a rerturn during the April 10-19 roadtrip to Detroit, Boston and Toronto. — “That's what we're shooting for,” Upton said this morning.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, HardballTalk and SI Tracking Blog
John Romano / Tampa Bay Times:
The powerful piece of paper that is the Tampa Bay Rays lease — The threat begins on page 32 of the document. It doesn't sound scary at all. — And, yet, it is the reason politicians, business leaders and maybe even the commissioner of baseball are careful what they say about a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
Rockies growing old: Aging in a young man's game — Mind is a significant part of the battle … SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige once said: “Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” — New Rockies right fielder Michael Cuddyer wraps his arms around that philosophy.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Tampa Bay Rays giving catcher Jose Lobaton opportunity to prove himself in majors — Jose Lobaton, 27, might wind up catching the bulk of the games this season for the Rays. — Times] — PORT CHARLOTTE — Jose Lobaton has done a lot — with his bat, with his arm, with his glove …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Prince's shot, McCann's slam lead split Tigers — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Most veterans grumble when asked to make a long Grapefruit League road trip, especially with a split squad in action at home. Prince Fielder instead made the most of his assignment, launching a booming home run Sunday …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Peralta's homer backs up Fister's solid start — LAKELAND, Fla. — Jhonny Peralta went all of Spring Training last year without driving in a run. He's finishing Spring Training with a bang this year, slugging a two-run homer in the third inning to power the Tigers ahead for good in a 4-2 win …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
RELATED: