Top News:
David Lefort / Boston Globe:
Sox meet the president — Members of the 2007 World Series champion Red Sox gathered on the White House lawn this afternoon and were honored by President George W. Bush (Check out photos). — Slugger David Ortiz, an odd sight in eyeglasses, carried the World Series trophy into the ceremony.
Discussion:
A Red Sox Fan …
RELATED:
ESPN.com:
Report: Mets GM nixed idea of hiring McNamee — Brian McNamee, the former strength trainer for Roger Clemens and a primary figure in Major League Baseball's doping scandal, was close to becoming a member of the Mets' coaching staff last season, according to the New York Post.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
RELATED:
NY Daily News:
Harper: Mets hoping for own Joba — PORT ST. LUCIE - This time of year, baseball people are always looking for the next phenom. But after what happened in the Bronx last season, there is a new way of defining that search. — Now they're looking for the next Joba.
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Kazmir checks out … Scott Kazmir walks off with head trainer Ron Porterfield, who conducted strength tests that encouraged the pitcher. — Times] — ST. PETERSBURG - The news on Rays ace Scott Kazmir's left elbow appeared relatively good Tuesday night - no serious injury …
Discussion:
Fox Sports, Rays of Light, Rays Index, The Heater, Rays Anatomy, DRaysBay and Rotoworld.com
RELATED:
Marc Lancaster / Rays Report:
Kazmir: I'll be ready by Opening Day — Scott Kazmir said today that he “definitely” plans to make his expected start Opening Day at Baltimore despite the strained left elbow he suffered yesterday. — “That's what we're shooting for,” he said. — Asked if the medical staff had discouraged …
Ian O'Connor / Fox Sports:
Big, Bad Clemens really feeling the heat — Ian O'Connor was twice named the No. 1 columnist in America in his circulation category by the Associated Press Sports Editors. An archive of his columns at The Record (N.J.) can be found here. — Roger Clemens was going to stare down the truth tellers …
RELATED:
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Nationals Top 11 Prospects — Four-Star Prospects — Three-Star Prospects — Two-Star Prospects — Just Missing: Esmailyn Gonzalez, SS; John Lannan, LHP; Shairon Martis, RHP — 1. Chris Marrero, 1B — Bats/Throws: R/R — Drafted: 1st round, 2006, Monsignor Pace HS (FL)
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
RELATED:
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Los Angeles Dodgers — Stan Conte came in to improve the injury situation for the Dodgers. The idea may be that Stan's a miracle worker, having held together much of the Giants' successful years with little more than athletic tape and hard work, but rebuilding what was once a proud, cutting-edge system takes longer than a year.
David Lennon / Newsday:
Bunt attempt by Wolverines irks Mets' Wagner — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Forget the Phillies. Billy Wagner nearly started a beanball war with the University of Michigan after one overzealous Wolverine tried to bunt on him in the fourth inning. With a runner on second and one out, centerfielder Kevin Cislo pushed his bunt foul.
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Cardinals' Spiezio wanted by California police — IRVINE, Calif. (AP) — An arrest warrant has been issued by the Irvine Police Department for St. Louis Cardinals utilityman Scott Spiezio on six charges stemming from a crash in late December. — The warrant alleges driving under influence …
Discussion:
Fox Sports
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Ross Ohlendorf primed for bullpen — TAMPA - Reliever Ross Ohlendorf pitched well enough last September to earn a spot on the Yankees' postseason roster. Things didn't go so well in his one October appearance, as he allowed three runs in one inning of work in Game 1 against the Indians.
Discussion:
Replacement Level …
RELATED:
Danny Knobler / MLive.com:
Zumaya's throwing, Rodney isn't — LAKELAND, Fla. — Joel Zumaya has started his throwing program. Fernando Rodney has stopped his. — Rodney said this morning that he had an MRI exam on his sore right shoulder on Tuesday, and that while the test showed no structural damage, Rodney won't throw again until next Monday.
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Brian Bruney ‘not scared to fail’ — TAMPA - New physique, new pitching coach, new attitude. Welcome to Brian Bruney's 2008 season. — Bruney's 2007 campaign didn't live up to the expectations many had for him after his impressive showing the year before.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers closer in jam over blog entry — egrant@dallasnews.com — SURPRISE, Ariz. - The exhibition season hasn't yet started, and already Texas Rangers closer C.J. Wilson has found himself in a jam. — In his own clubhouse. — Wilson recently made comments about his teammates' lack …
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Pelfrey satisfied with Grapefruit debut — As it stands right now, the Mets' rotation is full, but Mike Pelfrey knows plenty can change between the end of February and Opening Day. And if it doesn't happen by then, Pelfrey realizes he'll probably be up sooner rather than later.
Discussion:
The 'Ropolitans
Nate Silver / Sports Illustrated:
Nate Silver: The Rays won't merely be better in '08, they'll be 22 wins better — Baseball history is littered with premature declarations about the rising hopes of young teams. There were, for instance, the 1987 Indians, of whom Sports Illustrated famously proclaimed, “Believe it!
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
