Top News:
Gregg Bell / Associated Press:
Prior yanked, Wood great to begin dual Cubs' comebacks — PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Mark Prior's return answered his own questions about his arm, but created some about his effectiveness. Kerry Wood's comeback was far more reassuring to the Cubs. — Prior, who missed most of 2006 during …
Discussion:
Cub Town
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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.
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
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
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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.
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.
Sports Illustrated:
The future is now — In 10th season, Rays assemble most talented team — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Delmon Young, talented as they come with a future as big as his swing, threw a bat that hit an umpire smack in the chest last spring. Maybe you heard about it?
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Roch Kubatko / Baltimore Sun:Back in control … FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. // The sound of a bullpen phone ringing.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
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.
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
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
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.
Associated Press:
Back in the saddle — Boston's Lester successful in brief return to mound — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Jon Lester pitched in his first game Monday since his last cancer treatment just 2 1/2 months ago. — His mechanics were good and his command was outstanding as the Boston Red Sox left-hander retired …
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies' Hurdle: The quiet man — This spring, Colorado's manager has turned down the volume — Tucson - Manager Clint Hurdle last week officially began the last year of what could be his last contract managing the Rockies. Yet there exists no sense of urgency, only a startling transformation he promised in January.
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