Top Items:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Soriano mulling over left-field decision — Slugger to announce whether he'll play left on Wednesday — • Buy Nationals Spring Training tickets — • MLB.com's Bill Ladson on Soriano — • Slowes on Soriano, loss of Ayala — • Soriano's bio, career statistics
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Chris Needham / Capitol Punishment:
Defending Soriano — I'm loath to do this, because i really can't stand what the miserable SOB is doing, but I can also sort of see where he's coming from — even if I don't completely agree with it. — Soriano is being asked to move to an unfamiliar position in an unfamiliar league on an unfamiliar team.
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 …
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 …
Roger Cossack / ESPN:
Can Soriano win this fight? Not likely — Alfonso Soriano has made it clear to the Washington Nationals that he won't play in the outfield, and there is a chance, albeit a small one, that he won't have to. I don't expect it to happen, but it is probable that the Major League Baseball Players Association …
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 …
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 …
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Maureen Mullen / MLB.com:Sox obtain Pena, send Arroyo to Reds
Discussion:
Empyreal Environs, Baseball Crank, Viva El Birdos, Boston Red Sox, Athletics Nation and The Baseball Desert
Associated Press:
Pirates will have one of baseball's youngest rotations — BRADENTON, Fla. — Oliver Perez will start the Pittsburgh Pirates' season opener on April 3 rather than 2005 rookie standout Zach Duke. — The unexpected move — Perez has pitched once for Pittsburgh this spring after spending …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Notes: Cubs play it safe with Lee — First baseman likely to return later this week from injury — • Cubs' Wood targets return in late April — • Complete Spring Training coverage — MESA, Ariz. — Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee is not expected to play until later …
Discussion:
Baseball Diamond News
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:Wood targets return in late April
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse
Len Pasquarelli / ESPN:
Vinatieri agrees in principle to deal with Colts … In a move fraught with irony on any number of fronts, the most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history is about to be replaced by one of the most clutch placement specialists in the game. — Unrestricted free agent Adam Vinatieri …
Discussion:
The Professional …
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Fox Sports:
Report: Vinatieri signs with Colts — Another big piece of the New England Patriots' dynasty appears to have left the team. — Kicker Adam Vinatieri — who kicked two game-winning field goals in Patriots Super Bowl wins, as well as another game-winning kick in an epic divisional playoff game …
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Smoltz: Finesse for a change — Jupiter, Fla. — Say hello to John Smoltz, change-up specialist. — The Braves' No. 2 starter continued his transformation with five scoreless innings of two-hit ball in an 8-1 rout of the Cardinals on Monday. He had one walk and four strikeouts.
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Notes: For Thornton, it's about control — TUCSON, Ariz. — Matt Thornton doesn't hide from the wild streak that has plagued him during the course of his two-year Major League career. — When the newly acquired left-hander was asked on Tuesday morning about his moderately high walk total allowed …
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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Dave / U.S.S. Mariner:Bye Bye Matt Thornton
Discussion:
Associated Press, Lookout Landing, South Side Sox, ChiSox Daily, Seattle Marinerds and MLB Trade Rumors
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.
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.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Martin making his mark — Guzman still an option for Opening Day roster — VIERA, Fla. — Dioner Navarro, with an .063 batting average and a strained hamstring, still projects to be the Opening Day catcher for the Dodgers. — But Russell Martin was told when camp opened …
Lynn Henning / Detroit News:
Tigers dropped the ball — no 'free' game telecasts — There is still hope for an agreement at some point with a free outlet. — L ots of folks wrote at different times last year to squawk about Tigers games and their sabbatical leave from local "free" television, which had been Channel …
Robert Falkoff / MLB.com:
Cubs settle for tie with Brewers — Marshall tosses three shutout innings — CUBS 4, BREWERS 4 — Brewers at the plate: Bill Hall had two hits, including an RBI double. Chad Moeller contributed a run-scoring double. Pinch-hitter Brent Abernathy had a two-run single.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Mariners go deep to take down D-Backs — MARINERS 5, DIAMONDBACKS 4, 8 innings (weather) — Diamondbacks at the plate: All four of Arizona's runs came on home runs, with Luis Gonzalez smashing a two-run shot in the first inning, Jerry Gil hitting a solo homer in the fifth and Carlos Quentin lining …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
As A's hitting coach, Perry is off on the right foot — Phoenix — Many of the A's don't know it, but their new hitting coach was known for more than his bat during his playing days. Gerald Perry was a real speedster. — In 1987, Perry stole 42 bases with the Braves.
Discussion:
Talking Baseball
