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MLB.com:
Notes: Martinez's bold prediction — Youngster expects to be playing at Shea sometime this year — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — As far as predictions go, these Mets have already proven to be brash. Carlos Beltran sparked the trend last weekend, and even owner Fred Wilpon chimed in on Tuesday afternoon.
Discussion:
Mets Fever, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog, The Ropolitans, MLB Fleece Factor and MetsBrotha
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Lee Jenkins / Sports Illustrated:
The Savior of Port St. Lucie — Johan Santana has yet to throw a pitch for the Mets, but his arrival in camp has lifted the gloom from last season's historic collapse and given New York a reason to believe again — After the worst week of the worst month in the history of the New York Mets …
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Wilpon expects Mets to go ‘deep into the playoffs’ — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Mets CEO Fred Wilpon, holding his de facto annual “State of the Mets” news conference on Tuesday, laid down a challenge for his team. — “We expect to be in the playoffs, and deep into the playoffs,” …
Dave Sheinin / Nationals Journal:
Odalis Perez Chooses the Nats — Yes, boys and girls, Mr. Perez is officially in the fold. The Nationals signed him, I'm told, to a one-year, non-guaranteed minor league deal that will pay him $850,000 if he makes the team. The offers from Washington and Boston were not very different …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats sign pitcher Perez to Minors deal — Non-guaranteed contract gives left-hander shot at rotation — VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals agreed to terms on a non-guaranteed Minor League contract with left-hander Odalis Perez on Tuesday afternoon. Perez will be invited to Spring Training and compete for a spot in the rotation.
Bplunkett / From the dugout:
No mas DH — Vladimir Guerrero reported to camp this morning and sat with reporters for a few minutes, Angels coach Alfredo Griffin serving as interpreter. — But Griffin's services were not needed. When I asked Guerrero what he thought about Angels manager Mike Scioscia's plan to DH …
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Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Tejada happy to be with Astros, mum on steroids talk — This is the way baseball works in 2008. — Disgruntled slugger gets traded to new team for a fresh start. — Slugger has an additional spring in his step, a wider smile on his face, an extra-peppy, “just happy to be here” cliche on his lips.
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Men's Fashion, Men's Clothing, Gear …:
The Godfather, Part II by nate penn — In his first major interview in twenty years, the elusive Hal Steinbrenner talks to GQ about Roger Clemens and steroids, life with his “overbearing” father, and who's really calling the shots at Yankee Stadium — In February 2007, George Steinbrenner's …
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Pence injured in sliding door tumble — Outfielder treated for lacerations on knee and hands — KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Hunter Pence will miss about a week of Spring Training workouts after enduring several cuts and lacerations on his hands and knees that resulted from falling through a glass door at his residence in Kissimmee, Fla.
Curt Schilling / 38 Pitches:
Update — The situation warranted addressing the media at some point, yesterday was that day. Given what's happened over the past three months the discussion was not going to go anyone's way in the end. — Suffice to say it's over, and I am rehabbing and doing everything possible to get healthy and pitch again.
ESPN.com:
‘My, oh my!’ M's broadcaster Niehaus Hall-bound — SEATTLE — Longtime Seattle Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus has been named recipient of the Baseball Hall of Fame's 2008 Ford C. Frick Award for broadcast excellence. — Niehaus will be honored during the Hall of Fame induction ceremony July 27 …
DMZ / U.S.S. Mariner:
Examining the Alex Rodriguez screwed Seattle legend … Part two of a long series of chunks o'knowledge to be cited in the constantly arising arguments. Suggestions, thoughts welcome. — I'll start off by saying that the title's chosen intentionally. In the first one of these I wrote …
John Hickey / seattlepi.com Mariners blog:
No Stewart in Mariners' immediate plans — There have been reports on the internet in the last 24 hours that Seattle has expressed some interest in outfielder Shannon Stewart. — The reports appear to be without much merit. — Stewart told confidants late Monday night that he's …
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Strengthened corps — Brewers hope Gagne can lead pen rebuilt with veterans — Phoenix - During eight years as bullpen coach for the Atlanta Braves, Ned Yost learned that closers have their own unique and sometimes peculiar way of preparing to walk the high wire at the end of games.
