Top News:
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Santana eager to negotiate new deal with Twins … FORT MYERS, Fla. — Despite the fact the he won't be a free agent until after the 2008 season, Johan Santana says that the Minnesota Twins should try to sign him to a long-term extension sooner rather than later.
RELATED:
Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:
Curt's Spring Goal: New Pitch — FORT MYERS, Fla. — No one is about to mistake him for Pedro Martinez, but there was definitely a change in Curt Schilling on Sunday. — About nine of them. — A year ago, it was throwing inside. This year, Schilling has made the changeup his pet project in spring training.
Rob Bradford / EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA:
Manny's a changed man, Marlins minor league catcher works Ramirez into offseason frenzy — FORT MYERS, Fla. - It is no news flash that Manny Ramirez remains somewhat of a mystery. But there is one relatively unknown piece of information regarding the slugger which might be hard for some to fathom.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Pavano's able to start over — Outing shows Yankee is a pitcher of health — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Carl Pavano and Ron Guidry were talking before the righthander's start yesterday and the pitcher admitted, "I'm a little worked up." — Guidry, the Yankees' pitching coach …
RELATED:
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Olsen hopes 'wall drill' snaps skid — JUPITER — Scott Olsen says he's a better pitcher with his back against the wall. So, that's exactly the position in which the Marlins left-hander plans to put himself in hopes of reversing his 0-2 start. — After allowing three walks and three runs …
Discussion:
FishStripes
RELATED:
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Notes: Messenger up for closer role — Big righty is 2-7 with a 5.55 ERA in 88 big-league games — JUPITER, Fla. — Don't rule out Randy Messenger winning the Marlins' closer race. — The 25-year-old, who had an up-and-down 2006 campaign in various relief roles, is healthy and confident …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Zimmerman confident about deal — Third baseman says talks with club were 'good and positive' — VIERA, Fla. — Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and his agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, met with general manager Jim Bowden and team president Stan Kasten at 10 a.m. ET on Sunday to talk …
RELATED:
Carlos Gomez / Hardball Times:
Bringin' Some Serious Cheese: Matt Cain — THE POWERFUL MECHANICS OF MATT CAIN — Let's break him down, shall we? — TEMPO — You knew I'd start here, right? Needless to say, I certainly like how Cain goes about it. Once he gets going, he doesn't stop. Momentum is your friend.
David Lennon / Newsday:
Wright would move for A-Rod — If Alex Rodriguez decides to opt out of his contract with the Yankees, and the Mets get a do-over with the two-time MVP, David Wright wants him to know he is more than welcome to join him at Shea Stadium next season. — And Rodriguez can have his position, too.
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
RELATED:
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:Wright wants Shea-Rod
Discussion:
The FanHouse, MetsBlog.com, Can't Stop The Bleeding, Shea Nation, MLB Trade Rumors and Hot Foot
NY Daily News:
Cox is hoping Braves' new bullpen saves best for last — VERO BEACH, Fla. - That was quite a ripple Bobby Cox caused around the baseball landscape the other day when he offhandedly told a reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he would very likely be packing it in as Braves manager in two more years.
Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Maine impresses as Mets fall to O's — Righty tosses two scoreless innings; Humber allows five runs — ORIOLES 6, METS 3 — Mets at the plate: Outfielder Lastings Milledge tripled with one out in the second inning but wound up stranded on third base. David Newhan singled in the third …
Discussion:
Mets Fever
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
60 seconds with Marlins left-hander Paul Mildren — Staff writer Joe Capozzi spoke with Marlins left-hander Paul Mildren, who comes from a land down under. — Have you gotten over the death of the Crocodile Hunter? — That was the day I was leaving Carolina to go back to Australia and it was all over the news.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Angels' Moreno unhappy with uncertainty on Matthews — Owner says he expects a resolution by opening day regarding the center fielder's alleged link to human growth hormone shipment. — TEMPE, ARIZ. — Angels owner Arte Moreno said Sunday he would not let the uncertain situation surrounding …
Associated Press:
Back in the swing — Sosa starts in right, belts first homer since Aug. '05 — SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Sammy Sosa hit his first home run of spring training as the Texas Rangers defeated the Kansas City Royals 5-0 on Sunday. — Sosa, who has 588 career home runs, hit a 1-1 Luke Hudson pitch …
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Notes: Schilling changing with times — Changeup will play major part of Sox ace's arsenal in 2007 — FORT MYERS, Fla. — One of the premier power pitchers of this era, Curt Schilling feels that the time has come to become more diverse. Schilling is 40 now, and he feels it's time for a change.
Discussion:
Fenway Blogger
Paul Giblin / New York Times:
Pitcher joins Padres after a harrowing tour of Iraq — PEORIA, Ariz. — Cooper Brannan, a San Diego Padres pitching prospect, arrived at the team's spring training complex for his first formal workout Sunday in a quest to ultimately become a major leaguer. — He stood apart from the other prospects …
