Top News:
Jim Armstrong / Denver Post:
Carlos Gonzalez among MLB's best five-tool players — Every five-tool major-leaguer has the same talents and, it turns out, almost the same short shelf life. For the most part, being a five-tool player — hitting for average, hitting with power, running, fielding and throwing — is a 20s thing.
RELATED:
Mark Kiszla / Denver Post:
Rockies' non-stars will determine how season goes — In pursuit of truth, rising Rockies star Troy Tulowitzki needed to pose a tough question to Albert Pujols, three-time MVP of the National League. — Does the best hitter on the planet fear failure? — The answer might keep you awake nights, worried about monsters under the bed.
Discussion:
Hardball Times
Washington Post:
Opening day 2011: Nationals have added gloves — and strikeouts — Gallery: Nationals opening day: The Nationals drop their opener to the Braves, 2-0. — The Nationals can catch the ball now. They proved that on opening day. — Can they hit it? That may take months to answer and define their season.
RELATED:
Howard Fendrich / Associated Press:
Nats play good defense, yet little hitting in loss
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Toronto Sun:
Morneau will be no picnic for Romero — The good news is that Ricky Romero says he's not scared. — The bad news is he has every right to be scared. — The Blue Jays' schedule the first month of the season is like a walk through baseball's version of Death Valley.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Bluebird Banter
Associated Press:
Dodgers Beat World Series Champion Giants 2-1 — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw struck out nine in seven dominant innings and Matt Kemp scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error by catcher Buster Posey in the sixth, sending the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 2-1 victory …
Discussion:
Hardball Times, True Blue LA, Associated Press, Batter's Box Interactive …, Yahoo! Sports and USA Today
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Giants Extend Freddy Sanchez — The Giants have reached an agreement with second baseman Freddy Sanchez on a one-year, $6MM extension, MLBTR has learned. Sanchez's previous contract, signed in October of 2009, runs through this year, and the new deal extends him at the same salary through the 2012 season.
Toronto Sun:
Jays have a gambling chance for second place — As a baseball fan (I hate the word!), hope springs eternal for the Toronto Blue Jays—as it does on opening day every year. — This year, however, is a bit different — and not just because it's April Fool's Day. — First of all, let's clarify the “fan” aspect.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Mets' Mike Pelfrey gets his chance on Opening Day to prove he can be the ace with Johan Santana out — MIAMI - Mike Pelfrey grew as a pitcher and person last year, managed a midsummer slump and became the Mets' de facto ace when Johan Santana suffered a serious shoulder injury in September.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and HardballTalk
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Charlie Manuel tweaks Phillies opening-day lineup — Ninety-four times last season, Charlie Manuel changed the batting order of his lineup. Injuries, ineffectiveness, and indecision prompted a new combination regularly. Yet his starting eight was arranged in exactly the same way for Game 1 as it was in Game 162.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
John Hickey / Seattle Mariners:
Why Ichiro wants to be a Mariner into his 40s — Ichiro Suzuki starts his second decade with the Mariners Friday night in Oakland. / Getty Images — OAKLAND - Upon the first pitch to him from the A's Trevor Cahill at 7:07 p.m. Friday night, Ichiro Suzuki will start his 20th season in professional baseball.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Weeks, Gomez hit back-to-back jacks — CINCINNATI — Sure, the Brewers were bummed about Zack Greinke's place on the Opening Day disabled list. But they showed Thursday how they'll try to get by in his absence. — Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez delivered back-to-back home runs in the Brewers …
Discussion:
Red Reporter
RELATED:
Jeff Wilson / Foul Territory:
Rangers, Red Sox set Opening Day lineups — Mike Napoli will be the Rangers' first baseman and Michael Young will be the designated hitter Opening Day against the Red Sox. Julio Borbon will be the starter in center field. — Manager Ron Washington said he wanted to put Young at first …
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, Baseball Time in Arlington and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Francona releases Red Sox lineup
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Pinstripe Alley and Over the Monster
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Buehrle not worried about 2012 and beyond — CLEVELAND — Mark Buehrle's franchise-record ninth Opening Day start with the White Sox also could be his last one thrown for the South Siders. The talented southpaw is playing in the final season of a four-year, $56 million extension.
Discussion:
South Side Sox and MLB Rumors
Fox Sports:
Dye ‘at peace’ with decision to retire — In each of the past two offseasons, Jermaine Dye expressed frustration that no team would offer him a contract that he deemed suitable. — But Dye, upon informing FOXSports.com of his retirement Thursday, said he was “at peace” with his decision to end his career at age 37.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
