Top News:
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Notes: Lee relaxes deal deadline — Young Cedeno opens season on a hot streak — CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee softened his call for a Saturday deadline to resolve his possible contract extension, but he did reiterate that he wants the matter resolved soon so he can focus on baseball.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs give Hendry two-year extension — GM plans to negotiate deal with Baker at 'appropriate time' — CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry received a two-year contract extension through the 2008 season on Saturday, and one of his first orders of business will be to keep manager Dusty Baker beyond the 2006 season.
Discussion:
Cubbiepalooza
Andrew Seligman / Associated Press:
Hendry, Cubs agree on extension — Hendry, Cubs agree on extension — CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry agreed Saturday on a two-year contract extension through the 2008 season. — "It's something that I don't take lightly," said Hendry, who was in the final year of his contract.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
With or without deal, Lee ending talks today — Cubs officials always have bristled in any contract negotiations at imposing deadlines, but Derrek Lee surprised them by setting one for himself and the organization after Friday's game without first telling them of his intentions.
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Guillen: Rematch Could Be 'Real Ugly' — HOUSTON, April 7 — A day after he was hit by two of Pedro Martinez's pitches — and with suspensions impending for one of his teammates and his manager within the next week or so — Washington Nationals right fielder Jose Guillen vowed that his feud …
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Mike Shalin / MLB.com:
Boomer roughed up in rehab start — Veteran left-hander surrenders seven runs over five frames — PAWTUCKET, R.I. — David Wells was able to put a shaky rehab start into proper context Friday night. — The veteran left-hander was here to get in his rehab work.
Discussion:
Reb Sox
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Associated Press:
Wells gives up seven runs in rehab start — PAWTUCKET, R.I. — David Wells was hit hard in a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket, giving up seven runs and six hits in five innings Friday night. — "It is what it is, it's a bad night," said Wells, placed on the disabled list last Saturday — retroactive to March 27.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Millar makes it big — BALTIMORE — Make the drive from Baltimore-Washington International Airport and, once you exit toward downtown, Kevin Millar can be spotted. Staring down, bat in hand, in an advertisement against a backdrop of buildings and ballparks. — It's fitting, really.
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Tom D'Angelo / Palm Beach Post:
Mets get Vargas turned around — NEW YORK — When starting pitcher Jason Vargas left the Marlins' team hotel Friday for Shea Stadium, he got on a train and went in the wrong direction, ended up in Brooklyn and frantically doubled his way back to Manhattan before catching the right train.
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Klesko set for surgery on shoulder — First baseman Ryan Klesko is headed to the surgeon's table Monday, ensuring that his understudy, Adrian Gonzalez, will remain in the starting lineup. — Klesko, who could have come off the disabled list next week, said last night he has chosen to have bone-shaving surgery on his left shoulder.
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Childs Walker / Baltimore Sun:
Angelos turns up Comcast volume … WASHINGTON // Orioles owner Peter Angelos lambasted Comcast Corp. for monopolistic practices and implored the cable giant to televise Washington Nationals games during a congressional hearing yesterday on the standoff that has left 1.3 million D.C.-area households unable to watch their home team.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yanks' Star-Studded Lineup Falling Short on Hits — ANAHEIM, Calif., April 7 — The players in the Yankees' starting lineup have made 42 All-Star teams. This season, they will earn about $110 million. Together, they have more star power than a planetarium. — They will play under the weight of those facts all season.
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Ibanez hits new level — Veteran invited into ballclub's leadership circle — The Mariners pulled aside most of the club's veterans for a meeting in the late going of spring training. The front office wanted a discussion of clubhouse rules and requests for player involvement for the upcoming season.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Paul Meyer / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Tracy searching for a leading man — CINCINNATI — Jim Tracy's search for a consistent bat at the top of the Pirates' batting order continued last night. — Nate McLouth made his second start in center field, while Chris Duffy — off to a 1-for-13 start …
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Is personal character A's latest way to find value? — Seattle — As readers of "Moneyball" know, the A's front office is always trying to find an undervalued commodity and take advantage of it. First, it was on-base percentage, college pitchers, players who didn't fit prescribed physical modes.
