Top News:
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Mets GM Sandy Alderson wonders why Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo are receiving so much attention — Mets GM Sandy Alderson (r.), with COO Jeff Wilpon, believes the attention paid to Oliver Perez (below) and Luis Castillo (bottom) distracts from a ‘balanced view of the team as a whole.’
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Andy McCullough / New Jersey Online:
Mets' Carlos Beltran is back to baseball activities after setback with knee — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Carlos Beltran played catch. He swung a bat from the right-hand side but not the left. — This was his resumption of baseball activities after being shut down due to left knee tendinitis last week.
Discussion:
Tedquarters, Mets Merized Online, Amazin' Avenue and MetsBlog.com
Steve Popper / NorthJersey.com:
Mets GM Sandy Alderson still facing same questions — FORT MYERS, Fla. - When spring training began a month ago, Sandy Alderson arrived with a checklist of questions to be answered. And as he summed up the state of the Mets on Wednesday, those same questions seemed to still be nagging at the general manager.
Discussion:
New York Post
Evan Drellich / MLB.com:
Alderson: Too much focus on second base — FORT MYERS, Fla. — In just a few days' time, the gaggle of candidates the Mets have at second base could be trimmed. — “That's a possibility, yeah,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Wednesday after a 4-3 loss to the Twins.
Discussion:
Hardball Times and Sox #1 Fan dot com
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Red Sox set rotation behind Lester — FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox have set their rotation behind Jon Lester. Here's how it will line up: — April 8: New York: Lackey — April 9 New York: Buchholz — April 10 New York: Beckett — and so on ...
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Fenway West
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Evan Drellich / MLB.com:
Red Sox taking donations at game to aid Japan — FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox's efforts to assist those devastated in Japan will continue on Thursday afternoon, when a group of Red Sox pitchers, led by Daisuke Matsuzaka, will help collect donations at City of Palms Park.
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Guy Curtright / ESPN:
2011 spring training: Terry Francona names Jon Lester Boston Red Sox opening starter
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Over the Monster, Sox #1 Fan dot com and Bleacher Report
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Reliever Kimball continues to impress — KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Right-hander Cole Kimball continues to show that he is deserving of a spot on the Nationals' Opening Day roster. He made his sixth relief appearance of the spring Wednesday, pitching two shutout innings in an 8-7 loss to the Astros.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Wednesday notes: Super again, Nova dazzles against O's — In the bullpen before tonight's game, Ivan Nova's curveball was erratic. He'd throw one for a strike, then sail one out of the zone. Without a good feel for his primary breaking ball, Nova started warming up a reworked slider that he hadn't been using this spring.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, River Avenue Blues, Bronx Baseball Daily and Respect Jeter's Gangster
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Sports Illustrated:
Despite strong finish, Orioles still look outmanned in AL East … TAMPA — Ex-Yankees manager Buck Showalter and his Orioles team left George Steinbrenner Field here with a 10-0 defeat Wednesday, which is not only a reminder of how things have been but could also be a portent of things to come this year, as well.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball and NESN.com
Associated Press:
Royals rotation 1 short headed into season — SURPRISE, Ariz.—With three days off early next month, the Kansas City Royals plan to start the season with a four-man rotation and keep an extra position player for the first 13 games. — The Royals open the season March 31 against the Los Angeles Angels …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
GQ: Philly has Worst Fans in America — According to GQ Magazine, Philadelphia has the worst fans in America, writing: … How much do you want to bet they figure out some way to make this New York's fault? Because, like with everything Philadelphia, they can't help but drag New York in to it.
Discussion:
NotGraphs Baseball and HardballTalk
Christian Red / NY Daily News:
Barry Bonds' alleged abusive behavior towards Kimberly Bell documented in voice mails filed Wed. — Barry Bonds' abrasive personality is no secret. Now prosecutors provide documents detailing abusive language in voice mails allegedly left by Bonds for former mistress Kimberly Bell (below).
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Former NL MVP Marty Marion dies at 93 — ST. LOUIS — Marty Marion, the brilliant shortstop and 1944 National League MVP with the St. Louis Cardinals and a former manager of the Cardinals and St. Louis Browns, has died. He was 93. — Marion, who played on World Series title teams in 1942 …
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch and South Side Sox
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Associated Press:
Bradley Ejected, Brewers Beat M's 5-4 — PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Milton Bradley got ejected early, and Jeremy Reed singled in the go-ahead run in the ninth to help the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Mariners 5-4 Wednesday night. — “He said one too many things, so that was a short night for him,” Mariners manager Eric Wedge said.
