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
RELATED ITEMS:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Soriano's Refusal Could Be 'Landmark Case' — VIERA, Fla., March 21 — There was no game for the Washington Nationals on Tuesday, no lineup card to fill out, no position to which their star player wouldn't report. But even in the quiet at Space Coast Stadium, where the Nationals hold spring training …
Discussion:
Washington Times
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.
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 …
Tony Kornheiser / Washington Post:
Trading for Sizzle, Forgetting the Steak — What kind of magic dust does Jim Bowden have in his pocket? — Despite absurd backfires in acquiring Alfonso Soriano and Brian Lawrence, Bowden continues to get contract extensions from the Nationals. And he continues to get the media to fawn …
Associated Press:
Arroyo sad about leaving Red Sox — FORT MYERS, Fla. - Bronson Arroyo clutched his going-away gift, a black autographed bat from Manny Ramirez. A delivery containing a 3-wood golf club arrived as the pitcher stood in the clubhouse he would soon leave. — "Arroyo, here's your last package …
RELATED ITEMS:
John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer:A proven starter — Arroyo move also solidifies defense
Discussion:
Most Valuable Network
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
RELATED ITEMS:
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Wood targets return in late April — Cubs ace encouraged by recent throwing sessions — • Cubs notes: Lee will not be rushed — • Complete Spring Training coverage — MESA, Ariz. — Could Kerry Wood be ready by late April? — "He very well could be," …
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse
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
RELATED ITEMS:
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 …
RELATED ITEMS:
John Delcos / thejournalnews.com:
Delgado's elbow improving — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Before hitting Florida's crowded highways yesterday for a brief escape on the Mets' only off-day of spring training, first baseman Carlos Delgado hit the whirlpool and received treatment on his left elbow.
RELATED ITEMS:
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.
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.
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
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.
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 …
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 …
Jbox / Gaslamp Ball:
World Baseball Classic Finals Photos — Entering Petco park through the Park in the Park. Never done this before. As we were walking in one of Dex's classmates punches Dex in the arm. They are glad to see each other and start slapping each other on the back and punching each other in the arm some more.
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
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
