Top News:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Bailey getting a second opinion on thumb; surgery is expected — FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox took a gamble when they acquired Andrew Bailey from the Oakland Athletics in December. The righthander unquestionably had the talent and temperament to replace Jonathan Papelbon as the closer but had a troubling history with injuries.
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Bluebird Banter, SI Tracking Blog, The Soxaholix and Associated Press
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Sources: Beckett, Bailey to see specialist — The Boston Red Sox continue to say that right-hander Josh Beckett will be fine. But the pitcher on Tuesday will join teammate Andrew Bailey in Cleveland to see Dr. Robert Graham, a hand specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, according to major-league sources.
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Josh Beckett getting exam but is expected to make his first start
Josh Beckett getting exam but is expected to make his first start
Discussion:
MLB.com, blogs.providencejournal.com, Over the Monster, Surviving Grady, Yahoo! Sports and the joy of sox
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
Joey Votto's Massive Extension Changes the Game — Well, I think we've just seen the first piece of fallout from the stunning $2.15 billion purchase of the Dodgers on Wednesday. With money flowing into MLB at a breakneck pace, the Cincinnati Reds decided to make star first baseman Joey Votto an offer he couldn't refuse.
Discussion:
Baseball Nation, redsminorleagues.com, baseballmusings.com and Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Jfay / Cincinnati Reds:
Votto, Reds close to extension
Votto, Reds close to extension
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Los Angeles Times and Red Hot Mama
Gerry Spratt / San Francisco Giants:
Details of Matt Cain's new contract — UPDATE FROM HENRY SCHULMAN, REPORTING FROM INTERSTATE 5: As we reported, this is a five-year, $112.5 million extension with club option for 2018 that vests automatically for $21 million if Cain hits an innings target in 2017.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, El Lefty Malo and Only Baseball Matters
RELATED:
Janie Mccauley / Associated Press:
Cain agrees to $127.5M, 6-year deal with Giants
Cain agrees to $127.5M, 6-year deal with Giants
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and baseballmusings.com
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Greinke mum on Cain comparison — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Zack Greinke had no trouble giving an honest assessment of the “meatballs” he threw at the Chicago White Sox on Monday. But when the questions turned off the field, to the competitor with the big, new contract, he got quiet.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Brew Beat
RELATED:
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Miss America to throw out ceremonial first pitch
Miss America to throw out ceremonial first pitch
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and Brew Beat
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Maddon not afraid to use slugger in No. 2 spot — Either Scott or Pena likely to hit second in Rays' batting order — PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Joe Maddon has never been one to adhere to conventional wisdom for the sake of adhering to conventional wisdom, which leads to the topic of the Rays' No. 2 spot in the batting order.
Vinny Cartiglia / MetsBlog.com:
Francisco's knee issue, should Parnell fill in at closer? — Yesterday in St. Lucie, Frank Francisco said he will get an MRI on his left knee, which has been sore since the start of camp. — According to SNY's Matt Dunn, Francisco said he knee doesn't hurt him, but it's been swelling.
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com, NY Daily News, New York Post and baseballmusings.com
Todd Wills / MLB.com:
Gonzalez, Snyder, Gentry make Texas' bench — ROUND ROCK, Texas — The Rangers finalized their bench for their Opening Day roster, keeping infielders Alberto Gonzalez and Brandon Snyder and outfielder Craig Gentry. — Julio Borbon, the Rangers' starting center fielder on Opening Day the past two seasons …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and Yahoo! Sports
Steven Wine / Associated Press:
A-Rod drives in 3 to help Yankees beat Marlins 5-2 — MIAMI—Alex Rodriguez drove in three runs with a double and a sacrifice fly, and the New York Yankees completed a two-game exhibition sweep in the Miami Marlins' new ballpark by winning 5-2 Monday night.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Rollins Drives in 2, Leads Phillies Over Pirates — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — With a new-look lineup, the Philadelphia Phillies showed they can play small ball. — Jimmy Rollins drove in two runs, Freddy Galvis hit a tiebreaking triple in the seventh inning and the Phillies beat …
Discussion:
Red Reporter and Bucs Dugout
Associated Press:
Reds LH Chapman moved back to bullpen — GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) — Left-hander Aroldis Chapman is headed back to the Cincinnati Reds' injury-depleted bullpen after spending spring training getting ready to be a starter. — Chapman, entering his third season with Cincinnati …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Hudson has first outing of spring for Braves — KISSIMMEE, Fla.—Tim Hudson made his first appearance of the spring, allowing an infield single over two innings for the Atlanta Braves in an 8-2 loss to the New York Mets. — Ruben Tejada hit a three-run homer and Bobby Parnell allowed two hits over three innings for New York.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Haren Sharp in Angels' 12-3 Win Over Dodgers — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Dan Haren pitched 5 2-3 solid innings in his final spring tuneup, Mark Trumbo hit a three-run homer, and the Angels beat the Dodgers 12-3 Monday night in the opener of a three-game series that will end the exhibition schedule for both Los Angeles teams.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven