Top News:
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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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 …
Discussion:
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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Rob Bradford / Full Count:
John Henry: 'We generally don't use insurance' — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox principal owner John Henry has his eyes wide open when it comes to handing out long-term contracts to free agents, calling the process of extending such offers as “very complicated”.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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 …
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.
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
Revenue-Sharing in Major League Baseball Totals $433 Million for '09 — The total amount of revenue-sharing dollars that funneled from high revenue-making clubs such as the Yankees and Red Sox to low revenue-makers such as the Marlins, Rays, and A's totaled $433 million …
Discussion:
Rays Index
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Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
MLB Sees a Record $6.6 Billion in Revenues for 2009 — The economy has taken a bite out of evey sports league this past year, but for Major League Baseball, they were able to actually see revenues increase in 2009. — The league reports that gross revenues were $6.6 billion for 2009, a record figure for the league.
Fox Sports:
Rockies' success starts at home — Tracy Ringolsby is a Hall of Fame baseball writer. He is in his 34th year covering Major League Baseball, is a co-founder of Baseball America, and appears on pre- and postgame shows for Colorado Rockies games on FSN Rocky Mountain.
Discussion:
Inside the Colorado Rockies
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.
Discussion:
Baseball Daily Digest
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Richard Durrett / ESPN:Texas Rangers void contract of infielder Khalil Greene
Discussion:
Texas Rangers
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.
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 …
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Candid Cameron: Mike banters with the fans — FORT MYERS, Fla. — He's a breath of fresh air down here. — New Red Sox outfielder Mike Cameron took some time out to chat with fans in Fort Myers today about his number, playing center field, Manny Ramirez, and more.
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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.
