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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
A-Rod reached out, offered Damon advice — Third baseman no stranger to dramatic of free agency — TAMPA, Fla. — Perhaps more than anyone, Alex Rodriguez wanted Johnny Damon back in the Bronx. — Rodriguez, speaking publicly Thursday for the first time this spring …
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Sliding Into Home
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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Much has changed for A-Rod in a year — Now a champ, third baseman focused on replicating success — TAMPA, Fla. — Sitting in the same tent in which he admitted his use of performance-enhancing substances last spring, Alex Rodriguez reflected Thursday on his new status as a World Series champion.
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Much has changed for A-Rod in a year — Now a champ, third baseman focused on replicating success — TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez has won. Alex Rodriguez has lost. — He has faltered in the postseason and he has come through in the clutch. He has been vilified and he has been beloved.
Pete Caldera / Pinstripe Posts:
A-Rod speaks — Here are some bullet points from Alex Rodriguez's inaugural address in camp... - About the pressure he felt to be a part of a world championship Yankee team, and achieving it in '09: “It wasn't a monkey - it was a humungous gorilla off my back.”
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Bottom9 Baseball
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Top man is on top of the world — FORT MYERS, Fla. - This is their ninth season running the Red Sox. They have won two world championships, rebuilt Fenway Park, triggered a 550-game sellout streak, and made “Red Sox” a global brand. — But just as the giant tower in the Back Bay will always be the …
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Daniel Barbarisi / Providence Journal:With Sox' success comes higher expectations
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Crawford, Rays table contract talks until end of season — Unable to reach a deal now, the Rays and Carl Crawford have decided to table any further negotiations on a new contract until after the season. — “We had an opportunity to exchange ideas with the club about a contract extension …
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HardballTalk, MLB Rumors, Bronx Baseball Daily, Mets Merized Online, Boston Globe, NESN.com, Newsday, The iYankees Blog, Mets Paradise and hotstove.com
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers release shortstop Greene — Veteran infielder dealing with social anxiety disorder — SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Rangers have voided the contract of infielder Khalil Greene, who is dealing with personal issues regarding social anxiety disorder and did not report to camp.
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Baseball Daily Digest
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Richard Durrett / ESPN:Texas Rangers void contract of infielder Khalil Greene
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Texas Rangers
John Tomase / Boston Herald:
Kevin Youkilis has no love for glove ratings — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email + Bio — FORT MYERS - Kevin Youkilis [stats] is as old-school as Ty Cobb sliding into third, so it comes as no surprise that he has little use for the statistical revolution transforming the game.
Discussion:
Baseball Daily Digest
Associated Press:
Scioscia: Players deal with distractions — TEMPE, Ariz. — Angels general manager Tony Reagins and manager Mike Scioscia say it's not their place to become involved in players' personal financial matters. — The issue came up Thursday when ESPN.com reported that Rodney Fernandez …
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6-4-2
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Adam Rubin / Surfing The Mets:
Even Bay cold on Day 1 — Just because you're Canadian, Jason Bay noted, it doesn't mean you don't get cold. Bay was among those a tad uncomfortable as the Mets completed a team meeting Thursday morning and stepped out to 48-degree temperatures and a strong wind for the Mets' first full-squad workout.
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Anthopoulos eyes international talent — Jays' general manager expands on his long-term vision — DUNEDIN, Fla. — Alex Anthopoulos stepped out of the batting tunnel at the Bobby Mattick Training Center on Thursday morning, wearing a sweater under a light jacket with his hands firmly in his pockets.
Sweeny Murti Yankees Blog:
Contract Talks — Tampa, FL (WFAN) — So did you really expect Derek Jeter to say anything inflammatory? Jeter rarely shares any insight on the next day's game. What do you think he's going to do when he's asked questions about eight months from now? — We all know that Derek Jeter will get his money.
Bryan Smith / FanGraphs Baseball:
The Next Step — Let me start theoretical. I wonder why prospect lists run in order of career potential. In my view, prospects are valuable because they provide Major League Baseball's best bargain. Find a player ready to contribute from Year One to Year Seven, and the return on investment is ridiculous.
