Top News:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Hansen, Delcarmen sent down — Snyder claims spot in bullpen — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Finalizing their Opening Day roster, the Red Sox sent relievers Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen to Pawtucket yesterday. Kyle Snyder won the final spot in the bullpen. — Hansen was -1 with a 15.43 ERA …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
RELATED:
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Boston Got What It Wanted, or So It Seems — Maybe the move will wind up serving as the catalyst that vaults the Boston Red Sox to their first American League East title since 1995, but when they began their pursuit of Daisuke Matsuzaka last fall, one of their main motivations was to keep him from the Yankees.
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:It's hard to get a clear Crisp picture
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
ESPN:
Urbina sentenced to prison in Venezuela — CARACAS, Venezuela — Former Major League Baseball pitcher Ugueth Urbina was sentenced to 14 years in prison for the attempted murder of five workers on his family's ranch, the Attorney General's Office announced Wednesday.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Dye-casting White Sox's lineup — Guillen is set to mold the batting order but is wavering on the bullpen's makeup — TEMPE, Ariz. — Manager Ozzie Guillen is ready to alter the middle of the White Sox's lineup. — But he changed his mind on finalizing his middle relievers …
Discussion:
The Bard's Room
RELATED:
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Ozzie says B.A. gets to stay — Anderson given spot as Sox' 4th OF, but bullpen still not set — TEMPE, Ariz. — Ozzie Guillen had his mind made up about the 25-man roster Tuesday morning. — Thanks to the Los Angeles Angels, the White Sox' manager found himself angry, second-guessing and having a change of heart hours later.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Steve Phillips / ESPN:
Identifying those with the best tools in the game — Editor's Note: This story appears in the April 9 edition of ESPN The Magazine. — Baseball is built on five tools: hitting for average, hitting for power, throwing, fielding and running. Here's a look at the players whose skills …
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins name De Aza center fielder — Speedy 22-year-old has never played above Double-A — JUPITER, Fla. — Center field is now settled. — The biggest surprise in camp, Alejandro De Aza, has won the Marlins center field. — The 22-year-old De Aza played 69 games at Double-A Carolina last season …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
RELATED:
Eric Mack / CBS SportsLine.com:
Power Rankings: Boston's trio could elicit a Cy — Boston's brass finally came to their senses on Jonathan Papelbon, allowing baseball acumen to decide his future instead of a doctor's recommendation. By taking his 12-15 wins out of the rotation, the Red Sox bought themselves a knockout closer …
Associated Press:
Indians get scare as ace Sabathia hit by line drive — WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia's left forearm was bruised when he was struck by a line drive in his final spring training tuneup Wednesday, putting in doubt his scheduled start in the Indians' opener next week at Chicago.
John Walsh / Hardball Times:
Five Questions: New York Mets — The 2006 Mets came within a whisker of copping the National League pennant and many are predicting another NL East crown for the New Yorkers. I can't deny, I'm a little more skeptical than many. Here's why... 1. Any aces on this team?
Jeff Sackmann / Hardball Times:
Five Questions: Milwaukee Brewers — Last year started out as an optimistic one for the Brewers. This year, the happy thoughts are little more guarded, but they are all the more appropriate. — None of Milwaukee's offseason moves—signing Jeff Suppan, trading for Claudio Vargas and Johnny Estrada …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers' Benoit springs forward — egrant@dallasnews.com — SURPRISE, Ariz. - How much has Joaquin Benoit's stock zoomed this spring? — Just consider this question posed to manager Ron Washington on Tuesday: "What reliever would you go to if you had to retire a lefty late in a game?"
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Ortiz officially Giants fifth starter — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Russ Ortiz will be San Francisco's fifth starter just as the Giants have intended since signing the right-hander in January for a second stint with the club. — Not that there ever was much doubt he would win the job …
Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
Homegrown Talent Is Essential, but Free Agent Field Also Deserves Attention — Now and for the next couple of years, the Washington Nationals will jabber constantly about the improvements in their farm system, the high value of elite draft picks and their obsession with developing their own young stars.
