Top News:
Chicago Tribune:
Phil Rogers on imminent Epstein compensation deal: Expect howls — According to an MLB source, the Theo Epstein decision will be made Tuesday. — Reports from the Red Sox camp early Tuesday first suggested this, with WEEI's Alex Speier saying that Boston is getting an unnamed pitching prospect off the Cubs' 40-man roster.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Source: Boston to get good prospect for Theo — FORT MYERS, Fla. — A resolution of the Theo Epstein compensation issue was imminent Tuesday morning, a major league source said, with the Red Sox receiving what was termed a quality minor leaguer back from the Chicago Cubs as compensation for Epstein's hire by the Cubs as club president.
Discussion:
MLB, Over the Monster and Deadspin
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Epstein Compensation Deal Is Close — 9:15am: The Red Sox will receive a pitcher from the Cubs' 40-man roster, tweets WEEI's Alex Speier. That'd rule out McNutt. Rafael Dolis, Chris Carpenter, Jeff Beliveau, and Casey Weathers are on the Cubs' 40-man and cracked Baseball America's top 30 prospects for the team.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Joe McDonald / ESPN:
Dice-K throws in bullpen, on ‘very good pace’
Dice-K throws in bullpen, on ‘very good pace’
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Over the Monster and Boston Globe
Baseball America:
2012 Top 100 Prospects — ADDITIONAL TOP 100 PROSPECTS COVERAGE — Jim Callis Column: Seeing where unsigned players would fit in the Top 100 — Comps: We ask scouts for comps on this year's Terrific Trio — Hard To Pick: We ask front office officials to tell us who they'd put No. 1
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, Bluebird Banter, HardballTalk, MetsMinorLeagueBlog.com and Patrick Flood
Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Albert Pujols and Yu Darvish bump into each other twice in L.A. before spring training — TEMPE, Ariz. - New to the job, new to the division, new to the left coast, Albert Pujols has a lot to catch up on. — The sun sets pink and orange over the sea. — Designated freeway lanes are little more than suggestions.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Manny Ramirez says he'll join A's
Manny Ramirez says he'll join A's
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, Plain Dealer, Deadspin, Athletics Nation, MLB Rumors and NESN.com
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies commit to Jim Tracy ‘indefinitely’ with new deal — Rockies manager Jim Tracy hits during a spring training baseball workout on Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (Darron Cummings, The Associated Press) — SCOTTSDALE — In an offseason defined by change …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Purple Row, Baseball Nation and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Rockies, Tracy Have “Handshake Agreement” On Extension
Rockies, Tracy Have “Handshake Agreement” On Extension
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Yahoo! Sports
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Inside the Phillies: Hamels says focus is baseball, not money — CLEARWATER, Fla. - If Cole Hamels really believes everything he said Monday - and there is no reason to think otherwise - then the youngest of the Phillies' three aces should have a contract extension in place by opening day in Pittsburgh.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays say Brignac-Rodriguez shortstop battle will come down to little things — PORT CHARLOTTE — The biggest position battle in Rays camp will be at shortstop, and the decision between Reid Brignac and Sean Rodriguez may be determined by the little things.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Free agent Ivan Rodriguez hoping for another shot — DETROIT (AP) - Ivan Rodriguez is working out daily to keep his 40-year-old body in shape, hoping he'll get a chance to play this season. — The 14-time All-Star and 13-time Gold Glove catcher insists he's not ready to retire - yet.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman admits that the Bombers didn't try to win AL East in final weeks of 2010 season — Said there was nothing to gain, extols new two-team wild card format — New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman speaks to reporters outside the Yankees club house on the day pitchers …
Erik Malinowski / Deadspin:
The Making Of “Homer At The Bat,” The Episode That Conquered Prime Time 20 Years Ago Tonight — On Feb. 20, 1992, more American homes tuned into The Simpsons than they did The Cosby Show or the Winter Olympics from Albertville, France. A foul-mouthed cartoon on a fourth-place network bested …
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Relievers won't prepare to be spot starters — JUPITER, Fla. — Manager Mike Matheny suggested that the Cardinals have no immediate plans to extend the workload of some projected Cards relievers in order to have them ready as an emergency starter. — That means that, barring any injuries …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
RELATED:
R.B. Fallstrom / Globe and Mail:
Adam Wainwright's season-ending elbow injury last February …
Adam Wainwright's season-ending elbow injury last February …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Steve Kornacki / Globe and Mail:
The Tao of a slim Blue Jay Brett Cecil — DUNEDIN, FLA.— From Tuesday's Globe and Mail — Third base coach Brian Butterfield was one of many who did a double-take upon spotting left-handed starter Brett Cecil, who lost 33 pounds since last seen in a Toronto Blue Jays uniform.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Trustee Says Mets Saw Madoff as House Money — Saul Katz called it the Madoff “vig.” — Vig, or vigorish, is a gambling term, meaning the money a bookmaker collects on every bet taken, regardless of the outcome — a kind of dependable handling fee. — To the court-appointed trustee suing Katz …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and Deadspin
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Crawford not ruling out return by Opening Day — Left fielder puts rough first season with Red Sox behind him — FORT MYERS, Fla. — For Carl Crawford, the final indignity of a season gone horribly wrong was that line drive off the bat of Robert Andino at Camden Yards that glanced off …
Discussion:
Boston Globe
RELATED:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Henry reacts to Crawford's comments
Henry reacts to Crawford's comments
Discussion:
HardballTalk and The Soxaholix