Top Items:
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Grissom retires — Wellenmeyer traded for prospects — MESA, Ariz. — Cubs outfielder Marquis Grissom announced his retirement Tuesday morning, ending a 16-year career. The Cubs also announced a trade with Florida, sending reliever Todd Wellemeyer to the Florida Marlins for two low-level prospects.
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs deal Wellemeyer to Marlins — Chicago acquires two pitchers in trade — MESA, Ariz. — The Chicago Cubs traded right-handed reliever Todd Wellemeyer to the Florida Marlins on Tuesday for two Minor League pitchers. — The Cubs acquired two pitchers from the Marlins in right-hander Lincoln Holdzkom and lefty Zach McCormack.
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Royals claim Graffanino — Andrade claimed; Ambres designated for assignment — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Infielder Tony Graffanino is back in the Royals' fold. — The Royals claimed Graffanino on waivers from the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday and he fits right into the picture in a backup role.
Discussion:
Baseball Toaster
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Bob Dutton / kansascity.com:
Royals ponder reacquiring Graffanino — KC would use Red Sox infielder in utility role — SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Royals appear poised to reacquire infielder Tony Graffanino from the Boston Red Sox. — The move hinges on whether the Red Sox can trade Graffanino before today's deadline …
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
For starters, not Heilman — Takes hill as pen looms — PORT ST. LUCIE - Aaron Heilman went to winter ball in the Dominican Republic to prove he could start, and went 4-1 with a 2.27 ERA. He has continued his strong pitching in the Grapefruit League, allowing two runs in 14 innings.
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John Delcos / The Journal News:
Mets' bullpen far from set — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets manager Willie Randolph said naming his bullpen would "go down to the wire." And if he was bluffing, everybody was cooperating. — "Other than Billy," submariner Chad Bradford said, nodding over his shoulder to closer Billy Wagner, "I don't think there's anything settled.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
John Delcos / The Journal News:
Wagner wants to control hype — The hitters don't bother Billy Wagner. Neither do the expectations. — The comparison, however, doesn't thrill him. — "Don't compare me to Mariano," the Mets' new closer said of his Hall of Fame-bound crosstown counterpart. — "Mariano is the best."
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Tavarez: one strike, one brawl — Sox reliever punches a D-Ray in latest fracas — Sox pitcher Julian Tavarez is set to hit Tampa Bay's Joey Gathright in the jaw yesterday on a play at the plate in the eighth inning. (AP Photo) — FORT MYERS, Fla. — There have been enough brawls …
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Greg Bishop / Seattle Times:
Turns out Reed's wrist not broken after all, M's say — PEORIA, Ariz. — Mariners center fielder Jeremy Reed received good news this morning regarding his injured wrist: It isn't broken after all. — The fracture the Mariners saw after they X-rayed it last Friday is actually …
NY Daily News:
Randy beans ma of love child — Yank ace suing ex-gal pal over payments for girl, 16 — BY MICHAELA WHEATLEY in Langley, Wash. and DAVE GOLDINER in New York — Randy Johnson has a secret love child - and the Yankees superstar is playing hardball with the girl's mom, it was revealed yesterday.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Tony Jackson / L.A. Daily News:
Dodgertown's days could be numbered — VERO BEACH, Fla. - It was one of those sunsplashed Florida days when spring training postcard photos are shot, and Holman Stadium was packed. Overflowing, in fact, so that the grass-covered berm beyond the outfield had to be opened up to accommodate …
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Notes: Ojeda eyes roster opening — Non-roster invitee could fill backup catcher role — PHOENIX — Catcher Miguel Ojeda was sincere when he said he hopes hard-luck catcher Yorvit Torrealba is healthy enough to begin the season with the Colorado Rockies. — "He's going to make us stronger," Ojeda said.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers cut down to 32 — Utility infielder Aybar, outfielder Guzman optioned out — VERO BEACH, Fla. — The Dodgers continued their roster trimming Tuesday morning, optioning out top prospect Joel Guzman and utility infielder Willy Aybar. — The 6-foot-6 Guzman was asked this spring …
Thomas Heath / Washington Post:
After Abramoff, Nats Fear It's Out With the Hill Crowd — The Washington Nationals were a big hit on Capitol Hill last year. The return of a professional baseball team to the city after 33 years provided a new venue for lobbyists to entertain members of Congress and their staff at RFK Stadium, just 20 blocks east of the Capitol.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers release Durazo — SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Erubiel Durazo experiment is over. The Rangers released the DH candidate Monday. — The club has also apparently informed right-hander John Wasdin that he will not make the team. — Wasdin was not at the team's complex Monday …
Associated Press:
Astros' insurance claim on Bagwell denied — HOUSTON — An insurance claim filed by the Houston Astros to try to recoup $15.6 million of injured first baseman Jeff Bagwell's contract has been denied. — The Astros, who in January deemed Bagwell too injured to play, filed the claim …
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