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
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse
Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Estes put on DL with elbow injury — Towers: No. 2 starter out four to six weeks — Shawn Estes knows the difference between pain and hurt. — "Every pitcher experiences pain and discomfort," Estes said. "I feel discomfort almost every day. Usually it comes and goes."
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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.
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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Amanda Branam / MLB.com:
Brazelton set to take the bump — Colorado (2-2) at San Diego (1-2), 7:05 p.m. PT — Pitcher Dewon Brazelton's Padres debut on Saturday against the Rockies is arguably one of the more anticipated debuts for San Diego this season. — The 25-year-old came to San Diego in December in a trade …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Notes: Barmes finding his stroke — Colorado shortstop trying to settle in early in the season — SAN DIEGO — Colorado shortstop Clint Barmes did not begin this year with the thunder he took into 2005, but it's not too late to make early-season noise. — Last year, Barmes homered off …
Discussion:
Baseball Toaster
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
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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
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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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.
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.
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.
