Top News:
Kobrien / On the Yankees beat:
Live BP, Jeter's reax to MVP prediction — The first live batting practice of the spring is coming up in an hour or so. — The following pitchers are scheduled to throw: — Mike Mussina, Chien-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy, Sean Henn, Jeff Karstens, Steven Jackson …
Discussion:
Scott Proctor's Arm
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Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
STILL SWINGING — SHEFF SOUNDS OFF ON GIRARDI, CLEMENS & TIGERS — LAKELAND, Fla. - Gary Sheffield yesterday described his monster swing as “violent, but level.” — Those swings would be both on and off the field. Sheffield has played for all kinds of managers dur ing his 20-year career …
NY Daily News:
Photo looms as Roger woe — As the congressional committee that spent nine weeks considering Roger Clemens' attack on the Mitchell Report now quietly mulls referring the entire matter to the Justice Department, federal investigators seasoned in the anti-doping game are ready to hit the ground running.
Discussion:
Fox Sports, Baseball Musings, Bronx Liaison, A Red Sox Fan …, Sports Scope and Can't Stop The Bleeding
Sports Illustrated:
Mets Perez wins arbitration hearing — Mets starting pitcher Oliver Perez has won his arbitration hearing and will earn $6.5 million in 2008, SI.com has learned. — The Mets submitted a figure of $4.725 million for the 26-year-old lefthander. Perez earned $2.325 in 2007, going 15-10 with a 3.56 ERA.
Peter Abraham / The Journal News:
Slimmer Abreu hopes for fatter stats — TAMPA, Fla. - The trip from Venezuela to Taiwan takes 22 hours, including connecting stops in Paris and Hong Kong. When Bobby Abreu goes on vacation, he doesn't look for the closest beach. — “I like experiencing something different …
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Ramírez wants to stay — He leaves options in Red Sox' hands — Normally a man of few words, Manny Ramírez opened up to the media during an abbreviated visit to the training complex. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) — FORT MYERS, Fla. - He didn't stay around for long. But it was long enough.
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Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:
Manny, Red Sox Willing To Wait — FORT MYERS, Fla. — David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were the only players who didn't participate in conditioning drills for position players Thursday afternoon. — Ortiz, coming off knee surgery, was excused. Ramirez, it appears, excused himself.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Stark: Howard hits the jackpot … CLEARWATER, Fla. — What does it mean when a guy wins 10 million negotiable American dollars through the miracle of salary arbitration? — In Ryan Howard's case, says his buddy Jimmy Rollins, it means he can afford that Aston Martin DB9 James Bond-mobile he's had his eye on.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Blogging Baseball, The Nationals Report, The Zo Zone and Babes Love Baseball
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Jim Salisbury / philly.com:
Ryan Howard's award draws cheers and jeers — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Depending on your perspective, Ryan Howard's historic $10 million salary arbitration award elicited one of two responses: — Yippee! — Or: — Oh, no. — One or the other. Just like an arbitration hearing.
NY Daily News:
Harper: Beltran takes second cut — PORT ST. LUCIE - The good news for the Mets is that as the rhetoric heats up, Carlos Beltran is not backpedaling from his uncharacteristic bit of bravado aimed at Jimmy Rollins and the Phillies last week. — In fact, the Quiet Man understands …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
No more steaks for Fielder — Brewers star feels ‘amazing’ after becoming vegetarian — PHOENIX — Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder does not look like a vegetarian. So when people find out that he's giving it a try, they have approximately the same reaction.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
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Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:
JOHAN TO FACE BATTERS — The moment the Mets have been waiting for arrives this morning. — Johan Santana told The Post he will throw to hitters today for the first time since the blockbuster deal that brought him to the Mets three weeks ago. — The Mets started full-squad workouts Wednesday …
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Spring Training: Blass' speech floors players — Nutting, Coonelly stress accountability in meeting — BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pirates' players know Steve Blass as a broadcaster and, away from the booth, as one funny individual. — Yesterday, they saw a different side when he addressed …
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer:
Wilson out of camp; Baker says no reason to go slow with Bruce — SARASOTA, Fla. - Craig Wilson, an outfielder and first baseman, is no longer in camp with the Reds. — Wilson, who was in camp Wednesday, apparently failed his physical. He had signed a minor-league deal with the Reds.
David Lennon / Newsday:
Notes: El Duque could retire after '08 — PORT ST. LUCIE - Orlando Hernandez talked about retirement yesterday for the first time, and anyone who glanced at his gnarly right foot could understand why. Hernandez, who said the odds of his quitting after this season are 50-50 …
