Top News:
Peter Kerasotis / New York Times:
Andy Pettitte Signs Deal With Yankees — TAMPA, Fla. — On a day when the Yankees showed concern over Derek Jeter's approaching 38th birthday and tightness in his calf, they brought back into the fold an even older Andy Pettitte, signing the veteran left-handed pitcher to a minor league contract.
Discussion:
A Red Sox Fan …
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Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Derek Jeter out with calf injury — TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter has an injured left calf that will keep him out of spring training until at least next week. — Jeter, who will turn 38 in June, missed nearly a month last season in his pursuit of 3,000 hits with an injury to his right calf.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Baseball Nation
New York Post:
Pitching hard to gauge based just on spring training — TAMPA — Let's go back exactly a year so we can appreciate just what an inexact science it is to predict baseball, in general, and what a rotation will do, in particular. — We just knew in the aftermath of Cliff Lee's spurning …
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, MLB Rumors, Pinstripe Alley and Lone Star Ball
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Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Sign Andy Pettitte — A year after retiring, Andy Pettitte is back in pinstripes. The Yankees announced that they signed the 39-year-old left-hander to a minor league contract. Pettitte, a Hendricks Sports client, can potentially earn $2.5MM on the deal, which doesn't include incentives.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies release Willis — CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Phillies have released Dontrelle Willis, the enigmatic lefthander who was attempting to revive his career as a reliever. — He was plagued by ineffectiveness and arm soreness during the first four weeks of camp.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Baseball Nation
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Marte sets tone as Correia remains scoreless — Outfielder leads off with HR; righty allows a double in four frames — BRADENTON, Fla. — Kevin Correia extended his scoreless spring to nine innings and Starling Marte's homer started the scoring against Cliff Lee as the Pirates downed the Phillies …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Red Sox Agree To $800,000 Deal With Dominican Righty Simon Mercedes — The Red Sox have agreed to a deal with Dominican righthander Simon Mercedes, which according to an international source is for an $800,000 bonus. — However, that deal is still pending several hurdles …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
David Laurila / FanGraphs Baseball:
Nick Leyva: Positioning the Pirates Infield — Nick Leyva is heading into his 36th season of professional baseball, but when it comes to positioning an infield, he isn't as old-school as you might think. The Pirates' third base coach still uses his instincts and experience …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Drunk Jays Fans and THE BOOK
Joe Capozzi / Fish Tank blog:
Miami Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton confident he'll be ready opening day — Just caught up with Giancarlo Stanton, who said he hopes to play in a Grapefruit League game again some time next week. — Stanton hasn't played since last Sunday when he was hit on the left wrist by a pitch.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
Aaron Gleeman / HardballTalk:
Royals agree to long-term contract with Alcides Escobar — Alcides Escobar and the Royals have agreed to a four-year contract that includes team options for 2016 and 2017, the team announced. — Escobar is just 25 years old and not even eligible for arbitration yet after being acquired …
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Paul Casella / MLB.com:
Shortstop Signed Through 2015, With Club Options For '16 And '17
Discussion:
Royals Review, Baseball Prospectus, Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Royals Extend Alcides Escobar
Discussion:
Royals Review and MLB Daily Dish
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Hall of Famer George Brett speaks his mind about future eligible players — The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a hallowed place and as one of its members, George Brett knows he also plays an important role as one of its stewards. — That means not being afraid to speak …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Zito Strong Again as Giants Top Mariners — PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Barry Zito managed to turn in a solid spring start despite throwing his curveball and fastball higher in the strike zone than he wanted. — The veteran left-hander struck out four in four innings, Brandon Crawford hit …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Wang strains hamstring while fielding vs. Yanks — Nats right-hander stumbles attempting to record out at first base — VIERA, Fla. — Nationals right-hander Chien-Ming Wang left Thursday's game against the Yankees in the third inning after falling down while running toward first base after fielding a ground ball.
Discussion:
Baseball Nation and Yahoo! Sports
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