Top News:
New York Times:
Prospect of Jury Trial in Mets' Madoff Case May Push Sides Toward Settlement — As in any civil case, there has always been a chance that the owners of the Mets and the trustee for the victims of Bernard L. Madoff's Ponzi scheme could settle before trial. But across the past year of acrimony, that prospect has often seemed remote.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Amazin' Avenue, DealBook and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
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:
baseballmusings.com and Patrick Flood
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:
New Jersey Online and Baseball Nation
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Mets ownership & Picard reach $162M settlement — Mets ownership and trustee Irving Picard have reached a settlement for $162 million, according to tweets from Richard Sandomir of the New York Times. — “I am very, very please.” Wilpon told reporters. “Our first priority is getting …
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online, ESPN and Tedquarters
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:
MLB Daily Dish, Yahoo! Sports and Phillies Nation
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats option top prospect Harper to Triple-A — VIERA, Fla. — After striking out four times in an 11-7 loss to the Tigers on Sunday, Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, where he will play mostly center field. He will also see some action in right.
Discussion:
Nats Insider, Washington Times, MLB Rumors and Nats Enquirer
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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 and baseballmusings.com
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Soria leaves game with sore elbow after another rough outing — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — The growing concern regarding Royals closer Joakim Soria escalated sharply Sunday afternoon when he left a game against Cleveland because of a sore right elbow after another ineffective performance.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and HardballTalk
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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
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Mather helps give Cubs split with Rangers
Mather helps give Cubs split with Rangers
Discussion:
Rangers Blog, Foul Territory and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
X-rays on Cano's left hand negative
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
Joe Capozzi / Fish Tank blog:
Giancarlo Stanton, still not running, hoping to return by April 1 at latest — Caught up this morning with Marlins right fielder Stanton, who said his sore left knee is not feeling any better. — “It's the same,” said Stanton, who hasn't played since March 11.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Baseball Nation
Rhettbollinger / Bollinger Beat:
Nishioka optioned to Triple-A; lineup vs. Red Sox — FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Twins made a slew of roster cuts this morning with the most notable being the decision to option infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka to Triple-A Rochester. — Nishioka, 27, hit .240/.269/.320 in nine games this spring …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, HardballTalk and MLB.com
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Scouts work to balance old and new methods — Numbers and feel both important when spotting young talent — MESA, Ariz. — Not more than two weeks ago, Padres assistant general manager A.J. Hinch, who oversees the professional scouting department, had a dozen of his scouts …
Discussion:
THE BOOK
Joe Smith / Tampa Bay Times:
Tampa Bay Rays: James Shields attends David Price's minor-league start; Rays fall just short of attendance record — The Red Sox put a defensive shift on against lefty-swinging DH Luke Scott in the first inning, loading up the right side. So Scott dropped a bunt down the third-base line, reaching first base with ease.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Owen Perkins / MLB.com:
Time running out as Sanchez aims for roster — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz — With two and a half weeks left in the Cactus season, players are starting to hit their stride. The light at the end of the tunnel is visible, and players are talking about feeling ready for the regular season.