Top News:
Dan Hayes / North County Times:
PADRES NOTES: Gonzalez expects big bucks for next contract — “Hometown discount” doesn't appear to be a phrase in Adrian Gonzalez's vocabulary. After sacrificing dollars for security with his last contract three years ago, the Padres first baseman appears unlikely to devalue his skill set when he next enters into negotiations.
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Matt Pepin / Boston Globe:
Red Sox provide first look at new spring training complex — The view from the first base sideline. Renderings provided by Populous/Parker/Mudgett/Smith Architects, Inc. — Preliminary architectural renderings of the new Red Sox spring training complex in Fort Myers were released today.
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New York Post:
Mets' Francoeur says he'll hit 27 home runs this season — PORT ST. LUCIE — Jeff Francoeur is baseball's 5-hour Energy drink. And when he's swinging the bat well he's the perfect pick-me-up for the Mets. — “He's the definition of an optimist,” David Wright said yesterday on the eve …
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NY Sports Dog
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Two Will Climb Ladder, but How High? — TAMPA, Fla. — In the first year of the new Yankee Stadium, its tenants won the World Series. In its second, Alex Rodriguez could hit his 600th home run. In its third, Derek Jeter should notch his 3,000th hit. More milestones will follow …
Nicholas Hirshon / NY Daily News:
New York Mets invite Dwight Gooden to be spring training advisor — The Mets are paging Doctor K. — Dwight Gooden, whose demons branded him as a club pariah, Wednesday told the Daily News that the Amazin's had invited him to be a spring training adviser.
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians sign Russell Branyan; he'll start at first base (with video) … GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Indians have a new first baseman. He's part of their past and part of their present. Introducing Russell Branyan. — Branyan's one-year, $2 million deal became official Wednesday after he passed a physical Tuesday.
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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Rehabbing Reyes re-added to roster — Move keeps right-hander from opting out of Minors deal — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Indians think enough of Anthony Reyes and his recovery from Tommy John surgery to pay him Major League money this season. — Reyes, who was removed from the 40-man roster …
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MLB Rumors
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Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Photos & Video: from Johan Santana Bullpen Session — Johan Santana threw a bullpen session today, pitching to Rod Barajas. — ...i sat roughly 15 feet away from the mound, live-streamed it here on MetsBlog.com... i hope you were able to tune on time to watch it... Dan Warthen essentially stood …
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Curtis Granderson tries to keep eyes on the ball, will wear contacts with New York Yankees — TAMPA - Curtis Granderson's struggles against lefthanders last year have been well-documented, as have his late-season problems with judging fly balls. — Granderson won't assign blame for either issue …
Bryan Hoch / Bombers Beat:
The 2010 Yankees gather as a group — Wrapping up here on Derek Jeter Press Conference Day at Steinbrenner Field, and it was definitely nice to be back in the picnic tent without having to talk about performance-enhancing drugs like the last couple of years.
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Sports Illustrated:
Mets' Manuel leads list of managers on the hot seat … PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Perpetually easygoing Mets manager Jerry Manuel may one day lose his job — maybe even sooner than later — but he will never lose his sense of humor. — In an incongruously happy Mets camp …
David Waldstein / New York Times:
Citi Field Could Become Venezuela North — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — In a far corner of the Mets' spring training clubhouse, a group of players laughed and talked Spanish, and words like chamo and pana floated beyond the grasp of some of the other Spanish-speaking players nearby.
Marc Normandin / Unfiltered:
The New BP Fantasy — As many of you know, I have been hinting for a few weeks about some changes to the fantasy baseball coverage here at Baseball Prospectus. I had to wait until everything was in order before I could share with you, but after receiving the okay, I'm here to announce …
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THE BOOK
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Breaking Sports:
Sox's Guillen amazed by Twitter reaction — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Blindsided by all the media hoopla, manager Ozzie Guillen said Wednesday he plans to keep his Twitter account while vowing not to talk about the White Sox. — “Let me start with this,” Guillen said during his 14-minute post-practice session.
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Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Fame finds Dodgers' Matt Kemp — Everyday center fielder has made off-season headlines with his friendship with singer Rihanna, but he says extra attention won't affect his work or goals — Reporting from Phoenix - Many interviews early in spring training start the same way: How was your winter?
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BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Toby Hyde / MetsMinorLeagueBlog.com:
The View From My Office — So I've been looking forward to writing this post for a few weeks now. Yes, that picture on the right is the view from my office window. — On February 1st, I started my new job as the Director of Broadcasting & Communications for the Savannah Sand Gnats.
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MetsBlog.com
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats president shares optimism about direction of club — Nationals president Stan Kasten has good reason to be upbeat these days. The club improved its roster this past offseason by signing free agents Matt Capps, Jason Marquis and Ivan Rodriguez, while trading for reliever Brian Bruney.
