Top News:
Associated Press:
Mets, Madoff trustee settle for $162M — NEW YORK — The New York Mets owners and a trustee for Bernard Madoff's fraud victims settled Monday for $162 million in a case aimed at undoing the damage from a massive investment scheme. — The Mets owners will not pay anything for three years.
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing, New Jersey Online, Amazin' Avenue, FanGraphs Baseball and Baseball Nation
RELATED:
NY Daily News:
NY Mets close deal to sell 12 minority shares of team, have repaid $25M loan to MLB — Have also paid off a $40M loan from Bank of America — Saul Katz (l.) and Fred Wilpon reach a $162M settlement with the Bernard Madoff trustee. — The owners of the Mets have closed deals to sell 12 shares …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
New York Times:
Mets' Owners Pay $162 Million to Settle Madoff Suit — Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, the owners of the Mets, on Monday settled the lawsuit brought against them by Irving H. Picard, the trustee for the victims of Bernard L. Madoff's Ponzi scheme, for $162 million. The agreement is binding.
Discussion:
Patrick Flood and baseballmusings.com
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Mets ownership & Picard reach $162M settlement
Mets ownership & Picard reach $162M settlement
Discussion:
ESPN, Mets Merized Online and Tedquarters
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Francesa: Today is a good day for Mets fans
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Royals' Soria diagnosed with ligament damage in elbow — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — The news on Royals closer Joakim Soria couldn't be much worse. An examination Monday revealed “definite damage” in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and seems likely to require surgery.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Kings of Kauffman
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Kershaw Works Into 6th Inning on 24th Birthday — GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Clayton Kershaw pitched into the sixth inning on his 24th birthday for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 4-3 loss Monday to the Cleveland Indians. — The NL Cy Young Award winner allowed one run — his first this spring — and three singles over 5 1-3 innings.
RELATED:
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Capuano finishes strong in rainout with Angels
Associated Press:
Tigers' Cabrera hit in face by bad-hop grounder — CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Miguel Cabrera left Monday's game with a bloody face after a hard grounder from Philadelphia's Hunter Pence hit him near the right eye. — Cabrera was wearing sunglasses and it's uncertain whether the wicked one-hopper hit the right lens or just under it.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Utley leaving camp to see specialist — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Chase Utley has left Phillies camp to see a specialist as his chronically injured right knee is not healthy enough to take the field, almost certainly meaning he will not play come opening day. — The Phillies released …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, MLB Daily Dish and Yahoo! Sports
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Yu throws eventful four innings in third start — Rangers righty fans four, walks three, allows one hit on 70 pitches — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Yu Darvish had stretches in which he showed pinpoint command and the baffling arsenal of pitches that have made him a Japanese legend at the age of 25.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Maddux: Didn't pull out of running for Cubs manager — Says Sveum deserved job — Mike Maddux (Phil Velasquez/Tribune photo) — LAS VEGAS — Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux denied pulling out of the running for the Cubs managerial vacancy before the Cubs gave the job to Dale Sveum.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Beltran Hits 1st HR for Cards in 4-3 Win — KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Carlos Beltran hit his first home run for the St. Louis Cardinals, a leadoff drive off Julio Teheran in the sixth inning during Monday's 4-3 win over the Atlanta Braves. — Beltran, who signed a free agent after splitting …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Scott Lauber / Boston Herald:
Jon Lester to start Opening Day — FORT MYERS — It's official: Jon Lester [stats] will be the Red Sox [team stats]' Opening Day starter. Josh Beckett [stats], meanwhile, will start the home-opener April 13 at Fenway Park [map] against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Superstar Votto expresses fondness for both Reds, very long deals — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — If the Blue Jays stick to their five-year maximum policy for player contracts, they can forget luring Reds superstar Joey Votto back home to Toronto when he's a free agent.
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
Troy Renck / On the Rox:
Rockies' lineup includes Blake, Hoffman elects free agency — SCOTTSDALE — There will be a popular veteran returning from neck surgery making news day. — Alas, it's not Peyton Manning. Ladies and gentleman (or those three relatives not reading First and Orange blog), we present to you third baseman Casey Blake.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Morse, LaRoche out of game action for a week — VIERA, Fla. — Nationals outfielder Michael Morse and first baseman Adam LaRoche are not expected to play in a Major League Spring Training game for at least a week. — Morse, who has played just three games during the Grapefruit League season, has a strained right lat [back] muscle.
Discussion:
Nats Enquirer
RELATED:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats option top prospect Harper to Triple-A
Nats option top prospect Harper to Triple-A
Discussion:
Nats Insider, Washington Times and MLB Rumors
Chris Girandola / MLB.com:
Nova settles down after early hiccup — SARASOTA, Fla. — Adam Jones and Matt Wieters went deep in the first inning — the first home runs of the spring for each — to lead the Orioles to a 6-3 victory over the Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium on Sunday night. — After Endy Chavez led off …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
X-rays on Cano's left hand negative
MLB.com:
Tough day for Ross in first spring start — LAS VEGAS — Rookie left-hander Robbie Ross, who has emerged as a candidate for the bullpen, made his first start of the spring on Sunday against the Brewers in Phoenix and was roughed up. He lasted just 2 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on five hits.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Harrison strong thru five frames in loss
Harrison strong thru five frames in loss
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball, FanGraphs Baseball, Rangers Blog, Foul Territory and Bleed Cubbie Blue