Top News:
Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
Rodriguez says this is probably his last year with Angels — TEMPE, Ariz. — Francisco Rodriguez reported Sunday for what he says will likely be his last season with the Angels. — “Yeah, probably. Probably,” the two-time All-Star closer said. “If they wanted me here, they would have done something a long time ago.
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ESPN.com:
K-Rod leaving Angels after 2008? — Francisco Rodriguez, the owner of a major league-best 132 saves over the last three seasons, expects to become a free agent after 2008, the closer said Sunday. — When asked as he arrived in Arizona for spring training, K-Rod was asked if he thought 2008 would be his last season with the Angels.
NY Daily News:
Schneider catch of the offseason — PORT ST. LUCIE - The presence of Johan Santana transcends everything in Mets camp, as one would only expect. The embarrassment of the epic September collapse has been replaced with a renewed swagger to the point where, of all people …
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Turn to Schneider to Take Charge Behind Home Plate — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — On his life's to-do list, Brian Schneider has already crossed off a great many things. Travel at the speed of sound? Yup. Catch ceremonial first pitches from the president and the vice president? Check.
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Schilling: I don't have a choice — Sox pitcher talks about injury, disagreement with club — FORT MYERS - For the first time, Curt Schilling [stats] has given his side of the story. — Speaking to a small group of reporters out in front of the Red Sox [team stats]' minor league training facility …
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Schilling backs own doctor, says medical ‘egos’ in play — Curt Schilling, who said he held off on addressing his situation because he didn't want to be a distraction but became even more of a story this past week because of his silence, met with a few handpicked reporters in the parking lot …
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Stanton gets quiet over Roger's trail of blood — SARASOTA, Fla. - Mike Stanton was a supporting player of sorts in the hearings on the Mitchell Report last week when he was mentioned several times by congressmen quizzing Brian McNamee and Roger Clemens. — One topic was an alleged incident …
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Joe Lapointe / New York Times:In Return, Pettitte Will Discuss Use of H.G.H.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, NY Daily News, New York Post, NJ.com, The LoHud Yankees Blog, NJ.com and Sliding Into Home
ESPN.com:
Family affair: Bret is latest Boone to join Nationals — VIERA, Fla. — Bret Boone came out of retirement to sign a non-guaranteed, minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on Monday, joining his younger brother, infielder Aaron, and their father, assistant general manager Bob, with the club.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Phillies Belt back after boast — PORT ST. LUCIE - With position players' attendance still voluntary, Carlos Beltran stayed away from the Mets' spring-training complex Sunday, a day after borrowing Jimmy Rollins' script and anointing the Mets the NL East's “team to beat” for 2008.
Discussion:
ShysterBall
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Notes: Lefty trio to front new rotation — Hendrickson, Miller and Olsen will join Mitre and one other — JUPITER, Fla. — For the most part, the Marlins opened Spring Training knowing four of their five starting pitchers. — But unlike years past — when the club had established starters …
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Reyes plan favors Gotay — PORT ST. LUCIE - Jose Reyes will play fewer games in 2008 in an attempt to keep him fresh, Willie Randolph suggested. Reyes, who swooned in late September, started a team-high 160 games last season. He ranks eighth in baseball in games played over the past three seasons …
Discussion:
Hot Foot
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Boston Globe:
Keeping his eye on the ball — Red Sox rookie phenom Jacoby Ellsbury (above) had the kind of season little boys dream about and the kind of World Series Red Sox Nation will be bragging about for years to come. And the man who stole a base and won the country a free taco seems to be adjusting to life as a big leaguer.
