Top News:
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Pie provides punch for Cubs — Outfielder rips three hits to help sink Mariners — CUBS 6, MARINERS 5 — Mariners at the plate: Center fielder Jeremy Reed had his first two hits of the Cactus League season, a two-run double during a four-run second inning, and a bunt single in the third.
RELATED:
Gregg Bell / Associated Press:Prior yanked, Wood great to begin dual Cubs' comebacks
Discussion:
Cub Town
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Notes: Shin splints sideline Hamilton — Outfielder will be rested against his former team — SARASOTA, Fla. — Opposing pitching has yet to slow down Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton this spring, but sore legs temporarily have. — Because he's been bothered by shin splints …
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Guillen itching to bat Iguchi seventh — Likes idea of Erstad, Podsednik at top, 2nd baseman in RBI slot — MARYVALE, Ariz. — The Tadahito Iguchi experiment will continue at least through the middle of spring training, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jenks, Buehrle get back on track with solid pitching efforts — MARYVALE, Ariz. — There was minor cause for relief in Tucson and celebration at the Maryvale Baseball Park, where Paul Konerko was serenaded with "Happy Birthday" from a hearty group of White Sox fans on his 31st birthday while standing in the on-deck circle.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
It's The Hardball Times 2007 Season Preview — by clicking... Pitchers are pitching, batters are batting, fielders are fielding and managers are mouthing platitudes. This sure seems like a good time for The Hardball Times to unveil its first-ever season preview.
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Nats roughed up by Braves — Williams hit hard in six-run second; Fick belts three-run homer — BRAVES 14, NATIONALS 5, — Braves at the plate: Chipper Jones and Craig Wilson both had two-run doubles in Atlanta's six-run second inning. Brian McCann contributed a single and a double.
Discussion:
Banks of the Anacostia
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Young arms struggle — Williams, Redding both falter in exhibition loss to Braves — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Nationals right-handers Jerome Williams and Tim Redding are two of the 12 candidates vying for the fours spots in the starting rotation, but both were ineffective in a 14-5 loss to the Braves on Monday.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Making a case for the Padres defense — PEORIA, Ariz. - Catch the ball. If necessary, throw it to the right place. Padres fielders were better at those tasks than the competition tended to be last year. San Diego was first overall in defensive efficiency - converting balls in play into outs …
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Mailbag: What's up down on the farm? — Fans curious about Teixeira, Francisco, Rangers rotation — Time to talk about the Minor Leagues before we get to the usual questions. But you can always talk about anything you want at Monday Morning Manager, now playing at Postcards from Elysian Fields.
MLB.com:
Pirates benefit from culture shock in '07 — Strong second half in 2006 changed club for the better — The culture changed and the results changed, too. Now, for the first time in many years, the Pittsburgh Pirates enter spring with the building blocks of success in place.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Baltimore Sun:
Agent optimistic Roberts will get extension … FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. // Mark Pieper, the agent for second baseman Brian Roberts, left Fort Lauderdale Stadium today after meeting with Orioles officials for over an hour, without a contract extension for the second baseman, but optimistic that one could get done soon.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Jason Williams / TwinCities.com:
Morneau willing to deal — AL MVP instructs agent to resume talks — FORT MYERS, Fla. — The American League's reigning Most Valuable Player could end up receiving another prize before the start of the regular season. — First baseman Justin Morneau said Sunday that he expects …
Discussion:
Twins Killings
Maureen Mullen / MLB.com:
Drew's LA story — Sox right fielder cites job security, desire to not be traded — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Sitting in the clubhouse before Monday's game against the Dodgers, new Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew talked about his decision to invoke the unorthodox opt-out clause that allowed …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Jones, Parra move past injuries — Suppan makes anticipated debut; Jenkins in a hitting groove — PHOENIX — A group was sitting in Brewers manager Ned Yost's office over the weekend and the subject of right-hander Mike Jones and left-hander Manny Parra came up.
