Top News:
Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Maddon: Rays won't ban beer; “we're not the Boston Red Sox” — Unlike a certain other team, the Rays will not ban beer in their clubhouse. — “We're not the Boston Red Sox,” manager Joe Maddon said. — New manager Bobby Valentine announced his plans, a change for the Sox coming off …
Discussion:
DRaysBay, Boston Globe and NESN.com
RELATED:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
This ban on alcohol is a lot to drink in — David Ortiz (left), Kevin Youkilis, and Adrian Gonzalez chat. Gonzalez sits on a cooler of Powerade, maybe a clubhouse refreshment of choice of the Sox this season with alcohol banned. (Jim Davis/Globe Staff) — FORT MYERS, Fla. - No beer in the Red Sox clubhouse.
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
NY Mets & David Wright not thinking about extension yet, but team wants third baseman to be face of franchise — Team doctors feel back issues from 2011 are no longer a concern — David Wright's six-year, $55M deal expires at the end of the 2011 season. — PORT ST. LUCIE …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and New Jersey Online
RELATED:
ESPN.com:
Sources: Nats' Zimmerman gets six-year deal
Sources: Nats' Zimmerman gets six-year deal
Discussion:
ESPN, NESN.com and Associated Press
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals agree to contract extension
Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals agree to contract extension
Discussion:
Hardball Times, MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
Chris Girandola / MLB.com:
Torn elbow ligament to cost Zumaya 2012 — Oft-injured reliever hurt in first live BP session for Twins — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Twins general manager Terry Ryan announced Sunday that reliever Joel Zumaya has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will miss the season.
Discussion:
1500 ESPN SportsWire and MLB Rumors
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Twins' Zumaya out with torn elbow ligament — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Joel Zumaya has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will miss the season. — An MRI taken Sunday revealed the injury. — It's the latest crushing injury for the hard-throwing reliever …
Discussion:
Associated Press
Gregor Chisholm / MLB.com:
Johnson's focus on future with Blue Jays — Back with Toronto, second baseman eager to produce in '12 — DUNEDIN, Fla. — With Kelly Johnson's offseason of uncertainty in his rearview mirror, the veteran second baseman can shift gears and focus on his first full season in a Blue Jays' uniform.
RELATED:
Robert Macleod / Globe and Mail:
Jays' Kelly Johnson aims to rebound from roller-coaster season
Jays' Kelly Johnson aims to rebound from roller-coaster season
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Comcast SportsNet:
Former Giant Molina surprised, honored by retirement bash — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Bengie Molina couldn't understand why his in-laws wanted to browse in the sporting goods store for so long Saturday afternoon. He couldn't figure out why they suddenly wanted to leave.
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira reports to camp 15 pounds lighter as he looks to raise average and playoff fortunes — Postseason failures take toll on high-priced Yankee — Mark Teixeira pens name for fans and hopes signs point to better batting average.
Discussion:
It's About The Money
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
A year later, what was point of Garza trade? — Rays seem happy with deal, but rebuilding Cubs need players more than one arm — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — With a strong breeze blowing through the pine trees and palmetto bushes, the Tampa Bay Rays walked out of their clubhouse and down a stone path …
Discussion:
The Heater Feed and MLB
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Chavez disputes ‘Moneyball’ portrayal — TAMPA, Fla. — The movie “Moneyball,” based on the landmark book by Michael Lewis, is an entertaining fantasy. So says Eric Chavez, one of the players who was a main cog on that 2002 Oakland Athletics team, but is not mentioned in the cinematic depiction …
Richard Durrett / ESPN:
Josh Hamilton: ‘My loyalty is here’ … SURPRISE, Ariz. — Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton said Sunday that he owes the team all of his effort and focus for 2012 and that if he becomes a free agent after this season, the first call he's making is to the Rangers' front office.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Mark Saxon / ESPN:
Torii Hunter wants to extend career — TEMPE, Ariz. — A few months away from baseball have convinced Torii Hunter that he doesn't want to end his career when his days with the Los Angeles Angels are over. — Hunter, a free agent next fall, said last September he would retire rather than play for another team.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors