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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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 …
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.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Other Clubs Await Fallout of Soriano Standoff — The Washington Nationals' bus will depart the team complex in Viera, Fla., this morning for a game against the St. Louis Cardinals with the expectations that Alfonso Soriano will be on it, ready and willing to play left field.
Discussion:
Newsday
Mark Zuckerman / Washington Times:
What's next? — VIERA, Fla. — The Washington Nationals once again will list Alfonso Soriano as their starting left fielder for today's exhibition game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Whether the disgruntled All-Star agrees to take the field is up to him.
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer
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 …
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:
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 …
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Decision on Martinez nears — Drew getting his swing fine-tuned vs. Minor Leaguers — JUPITER, Fla. — Dodgers management will likely put off decisions on some of the final cuts until the Freeway Series, but it won't have that luxury in the case of utility infielder Ramon Martinez …
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Kevin Kelly / Cincinnati Enquirer:
Reds release West Hi's Rhodes — Reds notebook — SARASOTA, Fla. - A professional career that began 19 years ago and thrived overseas ended Saturday for Tuffy Rhodes. — The Reds released the 37-year-old outfielder, who was in major-league camp as a non-roster invitee, as part of six moves that left 42 players remaining.
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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 …
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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
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Haren-Lowry face-offs produce comic relief — Scottsdale, Ariz. — Dan Haren frequently seems to start against his pal Noah Lowry when the A's play the Giants, and on Tuesday, Haren saved his best stuff for when the Giants' pitcher was at bat. — He began Lowry's first at-bat with a curveball at which Lowry swung and missed.
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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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.
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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Joint Posting / The Baseball Analysts:
Two on Two: 2006 NL West Preview — Our 2006 season previews move West this week, following Two on Two divisional previews of the AL Central and NL Central. In the ring against Rich and Bryan today are two of the senior bloggers on the Internet: Geoff Young (Ducksnorts - Padres) and Jon Weisman (Dodger Thoughts).
Derrick Goold / stltoday.com:
Keystone Quandary — JUPITER, Fla. - Late in Monday's game against Atlanta, the Cardinals infield consisted of four players who, ostensibly, could start at second base at any time this season. — Around the horn: … Given that Spiezio is going to see rare double-switch …
Charlie Nobles / New York Times:
Henderson Makes His Debut and Steals the Show — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 21 — On a day that Anna Benson and Bill Parcells were in the crowd for the Mets' exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles, Rickey Henderson had a rapt audience of his own. — Tuesday was the debut of Henderson …
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
