Top News:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
ST. LOUIS • All-Star outfielder Carlos Beltran finalized a two-year deal with the Cardinals on Thursday evening, a source familiar with the negotiations confirmed to the Post-Dispatch. — The switch-hitting outfielder brings some desired depth to the Cardinals outfield while also restoring …
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Over the Monster
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Brian MacPherson / blogs.providencejournal.com:
Carlos Beltran on Red Sox interest: “I wasn't going to wait”
Carlos Beltran on Red Sox interest: “I wasn't going to wait”
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HardballTalk
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 …
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New Jersey Online, Lone Star Ball, Pinstripe Alley and MLB Rumors
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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 and It's About The Money
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:
Baseball Nation and Yahoo! Sports
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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.
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A Red Sox Fan …
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
Aaron Gleeman / HardballTalk:
Salvador Perez out 3-4 months after knee surgery; Royals interested in Ivan Rodriguez? — So much for Salvador Perez only missing a few weeks. — Perez underwent his scheduled knee surgery today and the Royals announced afterward that he's expected to be out for 12-14 weeks, which would mean a mid-June return at the earliest.
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Kansas City Star and MLB Rumors
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Aaron Gleeman / HardballTalk:
Royals agree to long-term contract with Alcides Escobar
Royals agree to long-term contract with Alcides Escobar
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MLB Daily Dish and MLB Rumors
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Rizzo, Lilli club homers against Giants — MESA, Ariz. — Aubrey Huff hit a tiebreaking RBI single in a two-run fourth to spark the Giants to a 3-2 victory Friday over the Cubs in front of 13,245, the largest crowd this spring at HoHoKam Park. — Chicago's Matt Garza, making his third start, had his longest outing this spring.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Loney goes deep, Lilly goes four scoreless — GLENDALE, Ariz. — James Loney slugged a three-run homer and Ted Lilly tossed four scoreless innings as the Dodgers beat the Rangers on Friday, 5-2. — Loney followed a second-inning leadoff double by Andre Ethier and a walk to Juan Rivera …
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True Blue LA
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:
Over the Monster, MLB Rumors and ESPN
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 …
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baseballmusings.com, Drunk Jays Fans and THE BOOK