Top News:
News Press:
>> Special page: A look at JetBlue Park — The business partners who created the new spring training home of the Boston Red Sox thought of just about everything when establishing JetBlue Park at Fenway South. — Someone along the way, however, neglected to do one thing: purchase the Internet domain name jetbluepark.com.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Yahoo! Sports, HardballTalk, Bleed Cubbie Blue, NESN.com, The Big Lead, Full Count and Deadspin
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
David Ortiz talks about beer drinking, leadership and his new contract — FORT MYERS, Fla. — David Ortiz, who reported to Red Sox camp a day early today, said he spoke to teammates about their clubhouse beer drinking during games, but said it wasn't his job to be “a babysitter.”
Discussion:
the joy of sox
Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:
Ortiz makes his grand entrance
Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com:
Blue Jays sign right-hander VandenHurk — DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Blue Jays signed right-hander Rick VandenHurk to a non-guaranteed split Major League contract on Wednesday. — VandenHurk, 26, appeared in four games for the Orioles last season, including two starts.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
RELATED:
MLB.com:
Blue Jays sign Vandenhurk — The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have signed RHP RICK VANDENHURK to a non-guaranteed split major league contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP ALAN FARINA has been placed on the 60-day disabled list. — VANDENHURK, 26, appeared in four games …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Contreras fine following bullpen session — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Phillies right-hander Jose Contreras threw a bullpen session Tuesday morning at Bright House Field. — It went well. — Contreras had right elbow surgery late last season, and the Phillies are hopeful he can be ready by Opening Day.
Discussion:
The Good Phight and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Howard impressive in BP — CLEARWATER, Fla. — You will read more about Ryan Howard later Wednesday after he talks to the media extensively for the first time since collapsing along the first-base line after grounding out to end the Phillies' 2011 season. — Howard, of course …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and baseballmusings.com
Mark Saxon / ESPN:
Albert Pujols objects to Angels' ads — TEMPE, Ariz. — To the surprise of no one, the Los Angeles Angels have built their marketing efforts around newly acquired slugger Albert Pujols. — But one segment of that campaign has run afoul of the player's wishes.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, NESN.com and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Rays unveil promotions for home games — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The Rays on Wednesday announced their promotional schedule for the 2012 regular season. — The Rays' season-opening series against the Yankees will include two giveaways. On April 6, all fans in attendance for the 3:10 p.m. ET game …
Zack Meisel / MLB.com:
Piniella joins YES Network team — Duties as special contributor include analyst work for Yanks — The YES Network has added Lou Piniella to its Yankees on-air team. — Piniella will serve as a special contributor for Yankees coverage, working as an analyst on some games …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Eric Chavez, Yankees agree on contract … TAMPA, Fla. — Eric Chavez has agreed to a one-year deal for $900,000 plus incentives to be a backup infielder/designated hitter for the New York Yankees. — Chavez's deal is pending a physical. The Yankees announced the deal Wednesday.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Rob Castellano / Amazin' Avenue:
This is — New York Mets — Jeopardy! — At the risk of outing myself as a complete and utter nerd, I will share the fact that one of my favorite hobbies outside of deriving obscure baseball statistics and watching low-level minor league games is watching a lot of Jeopardy!.
Discussion:
Kranepool Society and Patrick Flood
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers plan to hold onto Uehara — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Rangers pitchers go through their first official workout on Thursday. Reliever Koji Uehara is expected to be there and beyond. — The Rangers have had trade discussions with other teams about Uehara, but a deal does not appear likely.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Over the Monster
RELATED:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Sign David Aardsma — The Yankees have signed 30-year-old right-hander David Aardsma, the team announced. It's a Major League deal worth $500K that includes a club option for 2013. The deal includes $500K in incentives and the 2012 option is worth $500K, Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times tweets.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and IT IS HIGH!
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
Ronald Belisario tested positive for cocaine, said he used it only once — Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario already faces a drug suspension at the beginning of the year, but it appears that his drug problems extend beyond whatever it was that sent him to rehab last year …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com
Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Giveaways include Zimmer bear, Longo figurine — The Rays released the full scheduled of promotional items for this season, including the Don Zimmer bear and Evan Longoria walkoff figurine. — Single game tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. on raysbaseball.com and Monday at all outlets.
Brian Erni / MetsBlog.com:
Mets will see Kazmir on Friday, 25-man roster unrealistic — “We'll see Scott Kazmir for the first time Friday,” Mets GM Sandy Alderson said on Twitter today, in regards to whether the team has legit interest in the free agent. “We have an open mind, but a spot on the Major League staff right away is not realistic.”
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
Reporting day, baseball's most relaxed day — VIERA, Fla. — Pitching coach Steve McCatty bumped into Wilson Ramos, jostling him sideways, as they passed in a narrow clubhouse corridor here on Monday as the Washington Nationals pitchers and catchers reported to spring training.
RELATED: