Top Items:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Soriano Says He'll Play Left All Season — JUPITER, Fla., March 22 — Washington Nationals Manager Frank Robinson said Wednesday morning that newly acquired slugger Alfonso Soriano has agreed to play the outfield not only in the afternoon's spring training game against the St. Louis Cardinals, but for the rest of the season.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Soriano goes to left field for Nationals — Slugger opts to change positions for game against Cards — • Rangers' Young sympathizes with Soriano — JUPITER, Fla. — Alfonso Soriano led off the Nationals' Spring Training game Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium and flied out to deep center field.
Associated Press:
Soriano agrees to play left for Nationals — JUPITER, Fla. — Alfonso Soriano jogged in a few steps to catch a routine fly ball by Albert Pujols, then threw to second base to double off David Eckstein. — Nice start by the Washington Nationals' reluctant left fielder.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
No Sori for Mets — Not expected to land at Shea — FORT LAUDERDALE - Mets insiders yesterday speculated there won't be a second coming of Alfonso Soriano in New York, a day after the former Yankee created a furor by refusing to play left field for the Washington Nationals.
Discussion:
The Eddie Kranepool Society
Dallas Morning News:
Soriano's position should have been known — We live in a dream world. We wish all major league baseball players could be Michael Young. — We wish even the best at their position would do what he did two years ago. That's go to management and say, in so many words, "Look …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Speculation abounds, but deal for Soriano Nat too likely — MESA, Ariz. — With the Washington Nationals at an impasse with second baseman Alfonso Soriano, there's speculation the Cubs could solve the problem by swinging a deal that would significantly boost their offense.
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Ponson named Cards' fifth starter — Wainwright has chance to make St. Louis bullpen — JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals officially dubbed Sidney Ponson as their fifth starter on Wednesday over rookie right-handers Anthony Reyes and Adam Wainwright. The announcement confirmed a direction …
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ponson gets No. 5 spot; Reyes to Memphis — JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals made it official today: They gave Sidney Ponson their No. 5 starting spot when they optioned prospect Anthony Reyes to Triple-A Memphis. — The Cardinals also optioned lefthanders Tyler Johnson and Carmen Cali …
Discussion:
Sports Scope
MLB.com:
Net gain of Met gains could be pennant — Overhaul addressed every need, but might have created one — • Mets Spring Training report: 350K — • Wright holds key to Mets lineup balance — • Mets' Pelfrey pounds on big-league door — Last season, while the Mets …
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David Lennon / Newsday:
A finger Wag — Closer has soreness on pitching hand and Mets shut him down — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Tendon sheath stiffness may be a fancy term for nothing more serious than a swollen middle finger. But when that finger is on the left hand of Billy Wagner, it also sounds like trouble …
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Book: Sheff injected steroids — "Game of Shadows," the explosive new book that puts together a damning dossier on Barry Bonds' steroid usage, also offers some new details of Gary Sheffield's relationship with the slugger and performance-enhancing drugs. — Specifically, Sheffield …
Cincinnati Enquirer:
Presidential first pitch — Bush to attend Reds opener April 3 — In 2003, former President George H.W. Bush got the Reds' season started with a high, arching Opening Day pitch to then-Reds shortstop Barry Larkin. — This year, it could be the current president's turn.
Discussion:
Sports Scope
Paul Meyer / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Spring Training: Perez starting in opener — Tracy puts Vogelsong in the bullpen — BRADENTON, Fla. — Left-hander Oliver Perez will start the Pirates' season opener April 3 in Milwaukee, manager Jim Tracy said yesterday. — Tracy also said Ian Snell will be in the rotation …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
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.
John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer:
A proven starter — Arroyo move also solidifies defense — SARASOTA, Fla. - The first trade of the Wayne Krivsky/Bob Castellini era could be viewed as risky. — When Krivsky, the Reds general manager, sent outfielder Wily Mo Peña to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for pitcher Bronson Arroyo …
Discussion:
Most Valuable Network
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
McPherson Might Open the Season in the Minors — SURPRISE, Ariz.— The Angels acknowledged Tuesday that Dallas McPherson, who lost the third base job to leadoff batter Chone Figgins and does not appear to be in the designated hitter mix, could open the season at triple-A Salt Lake.
Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
Little Wants Room for a Pinch-Hitter — VIERA, Fla. — Dodger decision-makers met to voice opinions on lingering roster questions, and barring an unforeseen circumstance, Manager Grady Little will get his wish and begin the season with 11 pitchers rather than 12.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Dan / Get Up, Baby!:
A Legend Retires — No Cardinals stuff today-a big baseball story has just broken. On March 20, a hitter more accomplished than Ichiro, as terrifying as Hideki Matsui, as popular as Daisuke Matsuzaka after his WBC hero turn, retired at the age of 37. He had become an unlikely celebrity …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
When Rickey talks, players listen — Henderson embraces role of teacher this spring — • Mets temporarily shut down Wagner — FORT LAUDERDALE — The setting was different, the scenario almost identical. Then it was Al Leiter, John Franco and Dennis Cook gathered around Sandy Koufax.
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).
