Top News:
Rob Biertempfel / PittsburghLIVE.com:
Tanner joins Bucs front office — TRIBUNE-REVIEW — Two decades after he was dismissed as manager, Chuck Tanner on Friday joined the Pirates' front office as a senior advisor. — "I'm excited about it," said Tanner, who managed the Pirates from 1977-85 and won the World Series in 1979.
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Alan Robinson / Associated Press:
Craig Wilson would welcome return to Pirates — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Craig Wilson would welcome a return to the Pittsburgh Pirates. — Wilson, the power-hitting first baseman-outfielder who hit 29 homers for the Pirates in 2004, is seeking a bench job in the majors and would like to play again for Pittsburgh.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Dom Amore / Hartford Courant:
A-Rod And Joe: West Friends? — NEW YORK - Joe Torre and Alex Rodriguez have exchanged phone messages recently, and it doesn't take much to determine the main topic of conversation. — "There are only going to be a handful of teams in the sweepstakes," said Torre, the new manager of the Dodgers.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Bill Finley / New York Times:
Torre Won't Close Door on Williams as a Dodger — A Bernie Williams-Joe Torre reunion in Los Angeles could become a reality next season. — Neither Williams nor Torre would dismiss speculation last night that Williams could return to the major leagues in 2008, perhaps as a member of the Dodgers.
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Derek Jeter says Yankees can win without A-Rod — Derek Jeter is resigned to the fact that Alex Rodriguez's days as a Yankee seem over. And if so, he says the Bombers won't necessarily miss him. — Speaking at Joe Torre's annual Safe At Home Foundation gala last night at Chelsea Piers …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Gotta hand it to him — Pedroia played through broken bone in playoffs … In 2004, it was Curt Schilling [stats]'s surgically repaired ankle. Three years later, Dustin Pedroia [stats]'s broken hand offered perhaps the most remarkable tale of the Red Sox [team stats]' run to a World Series championship.
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Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
A moving tribute to Lowell … Dustin Pedroia has a very good chance of going to bed Monday night as the American League Rookie of the Year. But that isn't what's weighing on his mind these days. — First, he and his wife, Kelli, are busy moving into a new house. — Then there is the matter of Mike Lowell.
Discussion:
Peter's Red Sox Forever
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Polanco, Ordonez earn Silver Sluggers — Tandem is first Detroit pair to win hitting award since '92 — DETROIT — Add another first-time honor to the list for Tigers second baseman Placido Polanco, and another honor to a growing list for outfielder Magglio Ordonez.
Discussion:
TigerBlog
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Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Seven first-timers win Silver Sluggers — New class of talented players joins baseball's hitting elite — If you got the feeling while watching baseball this year that a new class of exciting hitters was emerging, well, you were right. And confirmation came once again on Friday …
Discussion:
The Good Phight, Associated Press, Dodger Thoughts, Sports Frog, Boston Globe, The Crawfish Boxes and 6-4-2
Tim Dierkes / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mariners Listening On Sexson — Mariners first baseman Richie Sexson hit a painful .205/.295/.399 last year. He's got one more year on his contract at $14MM, and most feel that he can't help but be better in 2008. Mariners GM Bill Bavasi recently acknowledged that some teams have inquired about Sexson.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Daniels to keep eye on trade landscape — Rangers GM looking for right deal after return from Orlando — Jon Daniels spent a week in Disney World surveying the trade landscape and one word comes to mind. — Challenging. — The Rangers general manager has shown over the past two years …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Astros introduce their new leadoff hitter — Houston native Bourn thrilled to play for hometown team — HOUSTON — With five months remaining until Opening Day, figuring out the order of next year's lineup isn't exactly a priority right now, considering the Astros still need to figure …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Jack Etkin / Rocky Mountain News:
If defense helps, Tulowitzki wins — Rookie Braun's offense hard to ignore — In a game where numbers resonate, fielding statistics are barely audible. If putouts and assists, total chances and a player's error total don't spark lively conversation, mention of zone ratings and range factor might end it altogether.
