Top Items:
Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
Soriano, Nats Appear Headed for Second Go-Round — SAN DIEGO — When second baseman Alfonso Soriano departed the Washington Nationals' spring training camp on March 2 to join the Dominican Republic team for the World Baseball Classic, he left with a seven-word message that was less a threat …
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Soriano Refuses to Take Left Field — VIERA, Fla., March 20 — When the Washington Nationals took the field Monday evening, Alfonso Soriano's name was the first blared over the public address system, the man due to lead off and play left field. But as the Nationals trickled out of the home dugout …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Soriano, Nats at impasse over outfield — Slugger could be placed on the disqualified list — • Armas looks good in Nats' loss to LA — • Nats mailbag: Who will step in at short? — • Complete Spring Training coverage — VIERA, Fla. — Alfonso Soriano …
Discussion:
The Curly W, Sports Scope, The Nationals Enquirer, Mike's Mets, Nats Triple Play and District of Baseball
Thom Loverro / Washington Times:
Bowden's future depends on Soriano — Alfonso Soriano returns to the Washington Nationals today following his stint on the bench in the World Baseball Classic with the choice of accepting a position in left field or declining it, perhaps on the grounds of delusion.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Associated Press:
BoSox send Arroyo and cash to Reds for Pena — FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox traded pitcher Bronson Arroyo on Monday to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Wily Mo Pena. — Arroyo was 14-10 with a 4.51 ERA last season. The right-hander was part of a deep group of Red Sox starters …
Discussion:
Cincinnati Reds Blog, Baseball Musings, Brew Crew Ball, Red Reporter, Deadspin, Where have you gone … and Al's Ramblings
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Maureen Mullen / MLB.com:
Sox obtain Pena, send Arroyo to Reds — Epstein, Francona excited to land power-hitting outfielder — • Theo Epstein conference call on Pena trade — • Complete Spring Training coverage — FORT MYERS, Fla. — With seven starting pitchers vying for five spots, the Red Sox had to make some decisions.
Discussion:
Baseball Crank, Viva El Birdos, Empyreal Environs, Boston Red Sox, Athletics Nation and The Baseball Desert
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Red Sox sign Gonzalez, may deal for Pena — Free agent Juan Gonzalez has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Red Sox, but the Sox's quest to add power might not end there. — The team also is talking to the Reds about a trade for outfielder Wily Mo Pena, FOXSports.com has learned.
Discussion:
Get Up, Baby!, ALLIGATOR BUTTON, Over the Monster, The Baltimore Chop and Boston Red Sox Nation
Associated Press:
Boston gets Pena for Arroyo — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - Wily Mo Pena has amazing power, when he makes contact. Bronson Arroyo has shown he can be a reliable starting pitcher, when given the chance. — Both are just looking for consistency. — The Boston Red Sox traded Arroyo …
Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Red Sox get OF Pena for RHP Arroyo — FORT MYERS, Fla. —Wily Mo Pena hits the ball with amazing power, if he hits it. Bronson Arroyo has shown he can be a reliable starter, if given the chance. — Both of those ifs can turn to realities after the Boston Red Sox obtained the slugging outfielder …
Associated Press:
Boston signs Juan Gonzalez to minor league contract — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - Juan Gonzalez, limited to one at-bat last season, agreed to a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. — The Red Sox hope the 36-year-old, oft-injured outfielder can bounce back and show the form …
Dave / U.S.S. Mariner:
Bye Bye Matt Thornton — The M's have traded Matt Thornton to the Chicago White Sox for Joe Borchard. — There's almost no way to not like this move, in my opinion. Thornton was, and still is, essentially useless. Yes, he throws 95, but big whoop-de-doo.
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Associated Press:
White Sox add Mariners lefty Thornton for Borchard — PEORIA, Ariz. — The Seattle Mariners traded lefty Matt Thornton to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Joe Borchard on Monday. — The 29-year-old Thornton struggled last season with the Mariners, going 0-4 with a 5.21 ERA in 55 games.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Turning down the Sheets — When will ace return to rotation? Who will take his turn? — • Brewers Spring Training tickets — • Complete Spring Training coverage — With exactly two weeks to go before Opening Day, we dive back into the mailbag:
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
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Al Bethke / Hardball Times:
Five Questions: Milwaukee Brewers — In 2005, the constant mentions of the future finally became discussions of the present, as the Brewers finished the season with 81 wins, 14 more than 2004. The season also ended a decade-plus string of sub-.500 results.
Associated Press:
Veteran left-hander Leiter retires after spring game — TAMPA, Fla. — Al Leiter attended the New York Yankees' spring reunion, then decided he's not coming back anymore. — The 19-year veteran retired Sunday after pitching to one batter in New York's 2-0 win over the Cleveland Indians.
Charlie Wilmoth / Hardball Times:
Five Questions: Pittsburgh Pirates — Since Barry Bonds left for free agency in 1992, the Pittsburgh Pirates have endured 13 consecutive losing seasons, the longest active streak in baseball. Even the Brewers look poised to have a run of good seasons after finishing with 81 wins last year …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Bagwell's days appear to be numbered — With Opening Day two weeks away, scouts and executives are increasingly skeptical that Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell will make a successful comeback from right shoulder problems. — "It's hard for him to throw groundballs to the infielders between innings," a rival executive says.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ponson looks solid in victory — JUPITER, FLA. — Sidney Ponson did a little of everything for the Cardinals Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. — Ponson pitched efficiently against a rough draft of the Braves' starting lineup. He lumbered from first base to third on a hit-and-run after singling to fuel a two-run third inning.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Notes: Classic participants rejoin team — Lee, Zambrano, Miller focus on regular season — • Cubs taking steps to ease Prior's pain — • Cubs' Montanez more comfortable now — • Complete Spring Training coverage — MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs felt whole — finally — on Sunday.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter