Top News:
Danny Knobler / MLive.com blog:
Guillen signed to extension — LAKELAND, Fla. — Maybe it offsets the news on Kenny Rogers, maybe it doesn't, but the Tigers have to be thrilled to get Carlos Guillen signed to a four-year, $48 million extension that keeps him with the team through 2011. — Oh, and Guillen's happy, too.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Guillen and Tigers agree to $48 million, 4-year extension — LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Shortstop Carlos Guillen and the Detroit Tigers agreed Friday to a $48 million, four-year contract extension through the 2011 season. — Guillen is making $5 million this season, the last of a $14 million, three-year deal.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Associated Press:
Rogers has blood clot removed; likely out until July — LAKELAND, Fla. — Kenny Rogers is out until at least the All-Star break, leaving the Detroit Tigers to defend their AL pennant without one of their top pitchers. — Two days after saying his arm felt tired, Rogers had surgery Friday …
Danny Knobler / MLive.com blog:
Rogers out for 3 months after surgery to remove blood clot — LAKELAND, Fla. — Kenny Rogers will be out three months after surgery this morning to remove a blood clot and repair arteries in his left shoulder. — Dr. Greg Pearl performed the surgery at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.
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John Lowe / Detroit Free Press:
Rogers to miss first half of season — LAKELAND, Fla. — Tigers left-handed starter Kenny Rogers is expected to miss the first half of the season after he underwent surgery on his pitching shoulder today to remove a blood clot and repair arteries. — Rogers underwent the surgery at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas.
New York Post:
PAVANO GAL PAL DROPS BOMBER — SENDS YANK HURLER TO SHOWERS — Just days away from the most important game of his life, much-maligned Yankee pitcher Carl Pavano has been given the hook - by his gorgeous girlfriend. — Stunning model Gia Allemand said yesterday she put Pavano on waivers …
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Associated Press:
Pavano named Yankees' opening-day starter — TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Carl Pavano will be the New York Yankees' opening-day starter — his first time on the mound in the majors since June 2005. — Pavano will be followed in the rotation by Andy Pettitte, Mike Mussina and Kei Igawa.
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Pap survives scare: Ankle twist turns out OK — FORT MYERS - The Red Sox [team stats] received a scare in the ninth inning of the final Grapefruit League game at City of Palms Park, when closer Jonathan Papelbon [stats] rolled his right ankle covering first base.
RELATED:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:Buchholz gives sneak peek at future: Sox prospect shows stuff
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
John Perrotto / Baseball Prospectus:
How the Pittsburgh Pirates Can Win the World Series — Brad talks with Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield about the Pirates' chances on Baseball Prospectus Radio. Click to download the mp3. — The last time Bud Selig was in Pittsburgh, he used the words hope and faith and nearly got laughed out of the Steel City.
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Charlie Wilmoth / Hardball Times:
Five Questions: Pittsburgh Pirates — It isn't much of a coincidence that the Pirates finished the 2006 season with the same 67-95 record they had in 2005. Since taking the Pittsburgh general manager job in 2001, Dave Littlefield has specialized in risk aversion, resulting in team after team that wins around 70 games.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards release Rincon — MEMPHIS — Eschewing the path of least resistance, the Cardinals on Friday morning released veteran lefthanded reliever Ricardo Rincon. — The move, made hours before the team boarded buses to leave its Jupiter, Fla., spring training base, effectively sets …
Bob Raissman / NY Daily News:
It's bonus coverage — A-Rod follies will be ratings hit for YES Network all season long — Only three days left until the Yankees' season opener with Tampa Bay. Only three days until the Alex Rodriguez sideshow kicks into high gear. — The newspapers will cover it. So will Tapeheads and radio blowhards.
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Just Days Away — I spent half the day trying to figure out MLB options rules. I discovered Mark Prior did have to go on waivers, while learning that the rule confuses even those tasked with managing the process. I have no idea about Gary Majewski and I'm not even going to try and figure it out.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets scheduled for a challenging '07 — Defending NL East champs to face every other '06 playoff team — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets will relive their final steps of the 2006 season on Opening Night 2007. — The schedulemaker has them in St. Louis on April 1, and there they will experience …
WFAN - The Fan:
Sweeny Blog: What has happened in the last 643 days — When Carl Pavano starts for the Yankees on Opening Day it will be 643 days since his last start. While I'm having a hard time unearthing records of other pitchers when they work on 643 days rest, I have uncovered the following bits of information:
Discussion:
Bats
