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:
Grissom retires after 17 seasons — Departure of 38-year-old opens door for Pagan — MESA, Ariz. — Veteran outfielder Marquis Grissom ended what he called a "fun ride" and retired from baseball Tuesday, ending his career after 17 seasons. — "When it's time, it's time," Grissom said.
Discussion:
Braves Journal
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.
Associated Press:
Church 'shocked' after being optioned by Nats — VIERA, Fla. — For the second straight spring, the trajectory of Washington Nationals outfielder Ryan Church's major league career was affected by a surprising roster move on the Tuesday before Opening Day. — This time around …
Discussion:
Baseball Toaster
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Watson's Numbers May Not Be Enough — JUPITER, Fla., March 27 — He came to spring training having been told he would have the chance to win a job as the Washington Nationals' starting center fielder and leadoff man, and on paper, he has done little to fritter away that opportunity.
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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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Salmon Gets It Right in Return — TEMPE, Ariz. — It had been 20 months — July 25, 2004, in Seattle to be exact — since Tim Salmon played the outfield, so as the Angel veteran stood in right field before Monday's triple-A game against Texas, one thought consumed him: "That first ball always finds you."
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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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 …
Scott Barzilla / athomeplate.com:
Someone Forget Their Glove? — The New York Yankees are baseball's biggest team. They dominate the headlines, they dominate the standings, and their team seemingly has every position manned by an all-star. Yet, since 2003 they've made it to one World Series and they didn't come particularly close to winning that one.
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Spring Training: No new deal for Littlefield yet — Pirates' GM to enter penultimate season — SARASOTA, Fla. — The Pirates have made no move to extend general manager Dave Littlefield's contract, which has two years remaining, even though that was the same amount of time he had left …
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 …
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.metro.us:
Rocker has new N.Y. target: Glavine — John Rocker hasn't endeared himself to Mets fans in the past, and it doesn't look like he's ready to change anytime soon. Rocker talked with Metro about playing in New York, why the Mets don't win and his good buddy, Tom Glavine.
Discussion:
Lonestar Met
Baseball Crank:
2006 AL West EWSL Report — The second of six division previews, using Established Win Shares Levels as a jumping-off point. EWSL is explained here, and you should read that link before commenting on the method; 2006 revisions to the age adjustment are discussed here.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Rob Rossi / PittsburghLIVE.com:
Tracy shrugs off Perez's lack of velocity — SARASOTA, Fla. — Pirates manager Jim Tracy made a surprising assessment on Opening Day starter Oliver Perez before Monday night's exhibition game against Cincinnati. — Tracy effectively defused concern about Perez's lack of velocity throughout …
