Top News:
T.J. Quinn / Sports Illustrated:
Speed trap — Bonds failed amphetamine test, blamed teammate — Barry Bonds, already under investigation for lying under oath about his steroid use, failed a test under Major League Baseball's amphetamine policy last season and then initially blamed it on a teammate, the Daily News has learned.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Report: Bonds failed amphetamine test — NEW YORK — Barry Bonds failed a test for amphetamines last season and originally blamed it on a teammate, the Daily News reported Thursday. — When first informed of the positive test, Bonds attributed it to a substance he had taken …
Michael O'Keeffe / Sports Illustrated:Friendly disagreement — Bonds' entourage major sticking point in negotiations
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Baseball America:
Going Deep: Manny Acta and Fredi Gonzalez — The National League East is feeding upon itself. The Marlins canned Joe Girardi as manager and hired Braves coach Fredi Gonazlez. The Nationals said goodbye to Frank Robinson and grabbed top managing prospect Manny Acta from the Mets.
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:Notes: Robinson offered spring job
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment, D.C. Sports Bog, Nationals Farm Authority and The Nationals Enquirer
Fox Sports:
Dodgers to institute all-you-can-eat section — At first glance, the cheap seats at Dodger Stadium don't seem all that cheap anymore, as a ticket in the right-field pavilion will cost you $40 for the 2007 season. — But if you're a big fan of ballpark concessions, that might be a decent deal.
RELATED:
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Fans get right to be stuffed — Dodgers converting right-field pavilion into an all-you-can-eat section and raising the cheapest seat to $10. — You won't be able to buy a ticket for under $10 on game day at Dodger Stadium next season, but you will be able to pay $40 for a bleacher seat and an endless supply of Dodger Dogs.
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
Kevin Czerwinski / MLB.com:
Duo hopes to crack Mets' rotation — As spring nears, Maine, Williams not taking anything for granted — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — John Maine and Dave Williams both insist their presence at the Mets' annual minicamp has everything to do with getting some early work in and nothing to do with trying …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
RELATED:
Michael Morrissey / New York Post:
PEDRO WON'T TAKE CHANCE — REHAB ON 'EXACT TIMETABLE' — The Mets began their annual minicamp yesterday in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Pedro Martinez came to work. The bad news is, Martinez won't pick up a ball until March and doesn't want to rush simply to return before the All-Star break.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Cubs may still have some moves to make — After spending nearly $300 million this off-season, the Cubs still aren't finished. — The team is trying to add two outfielders, and a trade of right fielder Jacque Jones remains a possibility. — Jones, signed for $9 million over the next two seasons …
Marc Jimenez / MLB.com:
Rivera shines in winter ball playoffs — Former Major Leaguer heats up in Mexican Pacific League — Coming off a successful regular season in the Mexican Pacific League, where he batted .282 with 21 home runs and 58 RBIs, former Major Leaguer Ruben Rivera is batting .300 with four RBIs …
Ian Begley / NY Daily News:
Back to the Boogie Down — Former South Bronx star Sanchez hopes to make mark with Bombers — Humberto Sanchez made his annual appearance at South Bronx High School late last month to provide some of the Phoenix baseball players with perspective and instruction from a professional pitcher.
Kevin Czerwinski / MLB.com:
Pedro not rushing his return — Mets' ace eager to pitch, but will not rush his comeback — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Pedro Martinez was all smiles Wednesday afternoon as he walked through the Minor League clubhouse at the Mets' Tradition Field complex — and with good reason.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
RELATED:
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:A Pedro sighting — Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez is upbeat …
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
Andrew Baggarly / Mercury News:
Worrell reaches end of road with Giants — MOVE OPENS ORTIZ'S ROSTER SPOT — One day after the Giants welcomed back Russ Ortiz, one of his 2002 World Series teammates volunteered a roster space for him. — Right-hander Tim Worrell announced his retirement because of neck and shoulder issues …
Discussion:
El Lefty Malo
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cardinals sign Mulder to two-year deal — Club also locks in Franklin, inks Ankiel, Cabrera to Minors pacts — ST. LOUIS — Familiarity bred content for Mark Mulder. The left-hander, recuperating from late-summer shoulder surgery, agreed to a two-year, $13 million deal with St. Louis on Wednesday.
Discussion:
Oleanders and Morning Glories
Bryan Smith / Hardball Times:
Ten Prospects to Watch in 2007 — This season, I'm not going to make the same mistake. I'm not going to call them "breakout" prospects. Every year I write this article, and every year, I get dozens of semantics-based hate e-mails. — After a 4.43 ERA in his first professional season …
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Rocket set for return, says agent — It is "more than 50-50" that Roger Clemens will return to the mound this season, according to Randy Hendricks, one of the Rocket's Houston-based agents. — Hendricks, in a question-and-answer session with the Houston Chronicle published …
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers finalize spring invite list — Veteran outfielder Perez to join Jurrjens, Dlugach in Lakeland — DETROIT — Prospects Jair Jurrjens and Brent Dlugach have joined Cameron Maybin among the Tigers farmhands who received invitations to Spring Training.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
