Top News:
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
A-Rod: Jeter will win MVP — Alex Rodriguez predicted about 30 minutes ago that Derek Jeter would win the MVP and that Bobby Abreu would have a monster year. — “I think Jeter is going to have an MVP season. That's my prediction for the year,” Rodriguez said. “And Bobby's going to have a monster year.”
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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Joe Girardi getting things in order — TAMPA - Joe Girardi has more than five weeks to decide on his Opening Day lineup, but it certainly sounds like the top four hitters will look just like last year's. — Although Girardi made it clear Thursday that no final decisions had been made …
Discussion:
iYankees
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Johnny Damon likes Yankees' chances — TAMPA - Young pitchers? Old players? New manager? None of it matters to Johnny Damon. — As far as Damon is concerned, the Yankees are in prime position to return to the postseason for a 14th consecutive year, regardless of the question marks surrounding the team entering the spring.
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
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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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
RELATED:
MLB.com:
Brewers 2008 promotional schedule announced — Six all-fan bobblehead giveaway dates highlight promotional schedule — MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Brewers today announced the 2008 promotional schedule which is highlighted by six all-fan bobblehead dates, a variety of new promotions and numerous season long ticket specials.
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds sign veteran starter Fogg — Right-hander agrees to one-year deal worth $1 million — SARASOTA, Fla. — For the Reds' younger rotation candidates, their chances of landing a starting spot just got harder. — Free agent right-hander Josh Fogg signed a one-year, $1 million contract.
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Associated Press:
Sheffield calls ex-agent Boras a ‘bad person’ — LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) - Gary Sheffield put himself in the spotlight again, and the Detroit Tigers slugger enjoyed every second of it. — “My family has been trying to get me to walk away for a while now because they don't like the negative stuff that comes my way.
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Associated Press:
Bonds: Prosecutors' typos could compromise case — SAN FRANCISCO — Slugger Barry Bonds has submitted court papers complaining his chances for a fair trial could be hurt by typographical errors in a government filing wrongly accusing him of flunking a drug test in 2001.
Discussion:
Bronx Liaison
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 …
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
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.
NY Daily News:
Madden: Duncan getting his work in — TAMPA - You know this is a whole different kind of Yankee training camp when even Shelley Duncan is huffing and puffing and begging for mercy at the end of the day. — The running joke among the Yankee coaches who watched Duncan taking over 100 grounders …
Discussion:
iYankees
John Lowe / Detroit Free Press:
Reliever Rodney's shoulder pain isn't bothering Jim Leyland — Reliever is pegged as key to hot bullpen — LAKELAND, Fla. — Tigers manager Jim Leyland sounded unconcerned this morning that reliever Fernando Rodney has stopped throwing off the mound for now because of pain in his pitching shoulder.
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.
Mike Rose / On the Mets beat:
Duque's last dance? — Interesting chat with Orlando Hernandez a few minutes ago. Turns out he didn't have bunion surgery as the Mets said. The bunion on his right foot is still there and its causing him problems this spring. — El Duque had surgery to fix a dislocated second toe …
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DRaysBay:
Chatting with Stu — It's that time of year again, it seems. DRays Bay, once again, gets the opportunity to ask Rays Principal Owner Stu Sternberg a few questions. This year, however, I opened up the floor to a couple other people (Cork Gaines from “Rays Index” and EricSanSan from …
Discussion:
Rays of Light
