Top News:
ESPN:
Mirabelli to catch Wakefield tonight vs. Yankees — The Boston Red Sox have finalized a trade to obtain catcher Doug Mirabelli from the San Diego Padres in exchange for catcher Josh Bard, minor-league pitcher Cla Meredith and cash, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney is reporting.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Boston Red Sox, 404, ALLIGATOR BUTTON, Gaslamp Ball, The Griddle, Over the Monster and Basegirl
RELATED ITEMS:
Bob Herzog / Newsday:
Yankees vote for standing O — Alex Rodriguez, no stranger to being considered a turncoat in Boston, had this to say about yesterday's topic du jour: the return of Johnny Damon to Boston. — "It'll be mixed. Overall, I hope all the great things he did will be remembered," Rodriguez said.
Associated Press:
Padres-Giants Preview — Barry Bonds has just six career hits off Jake Peavy - but one moved the seven-time NL MVP into an exclusive club, while another temporarily ended questions about his hitting prowess. — The matchup between Bonds and Peavy will be the highlight when the San Francisco Giants welcome …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — May Day — May? Already? Time flies and, small sample size or not, flipping the calendar over to Miss May—I mean, May—is a landmark that we all seem to notice. We have records based on a month that are impressive (14 homers?!) but relatively meaningless.
RELATED ITEMS:
Rany Jazayerli / Baseball Prospectus:
Doctoring The Numbers — When the Rains Come — On Saturday night, the Kansas City Royals and the Oakland A's played a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. The two teams elected to swap roles for the evening: the A's played the role of doormat, as starter Esteban Loaiza was assaulted …
Discussion:
Dan Agonistes
Joe Roderick / Knight Ridder:
Rain saves A's as Loaiza struggles — KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Although the game between the A's and the Kansas City Royals was postponed Saturday after a 1-hour, 41-minute rain delay, the deluge could not wash away memories of Esteban Loaiza's latest horrific outing.
Discussion:
Idiots Write About Sports
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:Future Shock — Monday Morning Ten Pack, 5/1
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs still can't find Z answer — After a shaky last two days against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cubs look ready to shake up their pitching staff again. — Rich Hill is expected to arrive today from Class AAA Iowa and replace Glendon Rusch in the starting rotation Thursday at Arizona.
Discussion:
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse, 1060west, Cub Town, The Cub Reporter and Baseball Think Factory
RELATED ITEMS:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Notes: Maine to get first start Tuesday — Second product of Benson trade to make Shea debut — NEW YORK — John Maine will make his Mets debut on Tuesday, filling in for the injured Brian Bannister, the team announced Monday. — Maine, a right-handed pitcher who turns 25 next week …
Discussion:
Lonestar Met
Mark Zuckerman / Washington Times:
Guillen off to a rough start — Nationals Insider — He was, for a brief time last season, the heart and soul of the Washington Nationals. Frank Robinson even went so far as to declare he had become the leader of this team following a gutsy performance in a key early season win at San Francisco.
Maury Brown / Hardball Times:
The Upcoming CBA and the Battles Within It (Part 2) - Revenue Sharing — Baseball has to address the disincentives created by large scale transfers of revenue from successful clubs to less successful clubs. - John Henry, owner, Boston Red Sox — I'd like to see everybody competing …
Discussion:
Statistically Speaking
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Cordero Waits For a Workload Like 2005's — ST. LOUIS, April 30 — Last April, Chad Cordero began his run to the All-Star Game by saving five games in seven opportunities, setting himself up for a season in which he established a franchise record with 47 saves in a whopping 54 chances.
Associated Press:
Minor league umps reject settlement — NEW YORK (AP) — Striking minor league umpires rejected a tentative strike settlement by a 2-1 margin. — The umpires, who have been on strike since the start of the minor league season on April 6, had reached a tentative agreement last Thursday following …
Bob Sikes / ..getting paid to watch:
Two of three, but some cause for concern.... ...and primarily in the rotation. — As the Mets lead going into May is still one of significant comfort in six games over the Braves and Phillies, its time to take some stock in the starting rotation. — With the passing of months during the season …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Astros' pitching corps impressing early — One of the season's most surprising early developments is that the Astros lead the majors in rotation ERA by a considerable margin — even without right-hander Brandon Backe, who is out until at least June 1 with a sprained elbow, and right-hander Roger Clemens …
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Ed Eagle / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Will Wilson be consistent? — Beat reporter Ed Eagle answers Pirates fans' questions — Craig Wilson has had a great start of this season. However, in past seasons, I know that he has been hot for two weeks, then in a slump the next two. Do you think Craig will perform this well on an everyday basis?
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Notes: Minors stint helped Cabrera — 'Rehab' after Classic helped reliever get up to speed — CLEVELAND — Fernando Cabrera didn't have a typical Spring Training, and he didn't have a typical stint on the disabled list. — Cabrera, who was activated from the DL on Sunday …
Discussion:
The Transaction Guy
