Top News:
Fox Sports:
Gonzalez's agent set for Boston visit — FT. MYERS, FLA. — The agent for new Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is due to visit the team's camp next week, at which point negotiations on a long-term contract could resume. — John Boggs stressed during a Monday interview …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, The House That Dewey Built and FenwayNationWorld
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Aceves solid against Yankees — He allows 1 run in three innings — Dustin Pedroia swings wildly at a pitch from promising Yankees lefthander Manny Banuelos during the first inning. (Steve Nesius/Reuters) — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Alfredo Aceves deviated from his usual pregame routine last night …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, MLB.com, BronxBanterBlog.com and NESN.com
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Manny Banuelos shows poise replacing New York Yankees scheduled starter Sergio Mitre vs. Red Sox — FORT MYERS, Fla. - When Manny Banuelos was told he would start Monday night's game against the Red Sox, he made a few calls to his family in Mexico. — “I told them, ‘Pay attention to ESPN2,’” Banuelos said.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
This one was a night for sore eyes — FORT MYERS, Fla. — It felt like Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Except for the fact that there were only 7,859 fans and the starting pitchers were Alfredo Aceves and 20-year-old Manny Banuelos. — But this was not your typical spring training game.
Discussion:
IT IS HIGH!
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Francona keeping options open on batting order
Francona keeping options open on batting order
Discussion:
Boston Globe, NESN.com and Projo Sox Blog
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Buchholz and Wakefield get some work in
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Strasburg gradually regaining arm strength — VIERA, Fla. — Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg continues to make progress following Tommy John surgery last September. He is now throwing 90 feet on flat ground and his arm strength is slowly coming back.
Discussion:
The Nationals Enquirer
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Marrero improving on defensive side
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Wang to throw another 'pen session this week
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Healthy Marquis feeling great this spring
Mike Sielski / Wall Street Journal:
Duda an Enticing Option for Mets — His Big Bat Has Manager Seriously Considering Him if an Ailing Beltran Can't Play Right Field — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.—Something about Lucas Duda makes Mets managers weak in the knees. — For Jerry Manuel, the team's manager last year …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and Mets Merized Online
RELATED:
Zach Berman / New Jersey Online:
Mets utility player Willie Harris is hungry for a roster spot — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Willie Harris is still trying to make a team. It's at the very core of his ethos, starting with the way he arrives in the clubhouse each morning, the way he watches the game on the bench each day …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and Tedquarters
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Who is out of options on the Mets? — According to MLB Trade Rumors …
Who is out of options on the Mets? — According to MLB Trade Rumors …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
New York Post:
PROSPECTS COUNTDOWN — Though Castillo is having a solid spring offensively, the source said Castillo's limited defensive range is problematic for the new regime. The Mets still do not view Murphy as an everyday second baseman, and many in the organization are not convinced Emaus and Turner are major-league players.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Tedquarters, HardballTalk, Mets Merized Online and SBNation.com
John Romano / St. Petersburg Times:
Was 2009 or 2010 the real aberration for Tampa Bay Rays' Ben Zobrist? — DUNEDIN — You can believe in the glory, or you can put your faith in the fall. — You can trust that the season with an MVP gloss was the reality and the season with dead ball numbers was the fluke. — Really, the choice is yours.
Discussion:
Projo Sox Blog
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon encouraging hair growth
Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon encouraging hair growth
Discussion:
Rays Index and Yahoo! Sports
Joseph Smith / St. Petersburg Times:
Catwalk ground rules changed back to pre-playoff rules — At the request of Major League Baseball, the 2011 regular season ground rules pertaining to the catwalks at Tropicana Field will revert back to the language that was used during 2010 regular season. Tropicana Field's ground rules …
Discussion:
BronxBanterBlog.com, baseballmusings.com, HardballTalk and DRaysBay
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Peavy's ties to Padres remain unbroken — GLENDALE, Ariz. — The uniform on his chest may say White Sox right now, but in some ways Jake Peavy will always be a Padre. — He still resides during the offseason in San Diego and this spring, he's staying in nearby Peoria where the San Diego club trains.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
RELATED:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Padres about front of jersey, not back
Padres about front of jersey, not back
Discussion:
Ducksnorts and Baseball Prospectus
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Postgame notes: Banuelos holds his own — Joe Girardi was asked tonight whether he knew many 20-year-olds who would be willing to throw a 3-2 changeup to Kevin Youkilis. When he said no, Girardi was asked if he knew many 30-year-olds who would be willing to throw a 3-2 changeup to Youkilis.
Discussion:
Bronx Baseball Daily and Pinstriped Bible …
RELATED:
Seth Mnookin / GQ:
Derek Jeter's Swinging Years — Derek Jeter is not a victory robot. He knows his last season was rough. And yeah, he's pissed at the Yankees about that contract negotiation. The most famous player in baseball sat down with Seth Mnookin to talk his private life, the press, and the specter of his final years in pinstripes
Discussion:
USA Today, baseballmusings.com and BronxBanterBlog.com
Kati Shearer / JSOnline:
Peanuts and Cracker Jack — Sports journalism students at Arizona State University take us out to the ballpark for a fan's-eye view of the Brewers and spring training. — The voice of the Brewers echoes to Ethiopia — Brian Anderson, left, is reaching out to Ethiopian orphans (Photo by Jordan Johnson)
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Reunited trio brings ‘dynamic’ vision to Mets — Ricciardi, DePodesta eager to help team succeed under Alderson — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The first business call Sandy Alderson made upon taking over the Mets was to J.P. Ricciardi, his old aide in Oakland and the former general manager of the Blue Jays.
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Theriot looks to recapture success of '08 — JUPITER, Fla. — Tony La Russa doesn't want Ryan Theriot to go up to bat this year looking to draw a walk. But as long as Theriot isn't being asked to hack away and hit for power, that's perfectly fine with the Cardinals' new shortstop.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
