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, Nats Triple Play and District of Baseball
Associated Press:
Team prepared to put Soriano on disqualified list — VIERA, Fla. — Alfonso Soriano refused to play the outfield for the Washington Nationals in what was supposed to be his spring training debut Monday night, and general manager Jim Bowden said his biggest offseason acquisition …
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:
Reb Sox, Brew Crew Ball, Red Reporter, Deadspin, Cincinnati Reds Blog, Baseball Musings, 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
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 …
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!, Over the Monster, ALLIGATOR BUTTON, 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 …
Justice B. Hill / MLB.com:
Notes: Reds acquire third catcher — Arroyo arrives in clubhouse; Bong returns from Classic — • Claussen sharp, but Reds fall to Tribe — SARASOTA, Fla. — The Reds made another move Tuesday when they shipped right-hander Bobby Basham to the Padres in exchange for catcher David Ross.
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 …
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 …
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Bannister earning serious consideration — Righty relying on smarts, late movement and a killer curve — • Mets notes: Glavine, Pedro pitch in tandem — • Mets can't turn hits into runs against Marlins — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Brian Bannister can bring it when he has to.
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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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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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Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Notes: Duckworth turning heads — Newcomer making case for rotation spot with strong spring — • Bucs mailbag: No spot for Craig Wilson — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In the month since the Pirates held their first workout of the spring at Pirate City, right-hander Brandon Duckworth …
Replacement Level Yankees Weblog:
The 2006 Diamond Mind Projection Blowout — Last year, I ran 2000 Diamond Mind Simulations with Diamond Mind Baseball and projection disks by Diamond Mind and ZiPS. This year, I've done it again, and also added another 1000 runs using Baseball Prospectus's PECOTA projections.
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.
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.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets temporarily shut down Wagner — Finger sidelines closer until weekend; MRI results negative — • Buy Mets Spring Training tickets — • Complete Spring Training coverage — PORT ST. LUCIE — If Billy Wagner had experienced any angst, it wasn't readily apparent in his expression or manner.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards patient with Junior Spivey — Monday afternoon's work didn't end for Junior Spivey with the final pitch of the Atlanta Braves' 8- 1 win over the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. — Frustrated by three strikeouts in three at-bats against Braves starter John Smoltz and closer Chris Reitsma …