Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Dodgers president and owner predict a dynasty — PHOENIX — It was a dirty, low-down trick. And it was brilliant. — Los Angeles Dodgers president Stan Kasten, sitting in the bar at the owners' meetings last August with club CEO Mark Walter, saw Boston Red Sox president Larry Lucchino on the other side of the room.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Baseball Nation, HardballTalk and ESPN
RELATED:
Mark Saxon / ESPN:
Carl Crawford (elbow) shut down — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Carl Crawford is experiencing nerve irritation in the area of his surgically repaired left elbow and has been shut down from throwing or hitting for at least a week, jeopardizing his chances of being ready by Opening Day.
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster and Associated Press
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
From rookies to legends, Koufax leaves mark on camp — Special advisor to chairman provides knowledge of game, link to Dodgers' past — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Sandy has left the building. — In Elvis fashion, Sandy Koufax finished his initial 10-day Spring Training assignment as special advisor …
Discussion:
ESPN
Associated Press:
Napoli Has RBI Single in Red Sox Debut, Beats Bucs — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Mike Napoli hit an RBI single in his first spring game for the Boston Red Sox, a 5-2 win Friday night over the Pittsburgh Pirates. — Napoli joined Boston as a free agent in the offseason.
Discussion:
Boston Globe
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Lackey Labors as Red Sox Rout Pirates 16-6
Lackey Labors as Red Sox Rout Pirates 16-6
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Over the Monster and Camden Chat
Rob Bradford / WEEI:
WILL MIDDLEBROOKS OFFERS RED SOX AN UNCOMFORTABLE REMINDER
WILL MIDDLEBROOKS OFFERS RED SOX AN UNCOMFORTABLE REMINDER
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Over the Monster, Bucs Dugout, NESN.com, Full Count, MLB Rumors, CBSSports.com, MLB Daily Dish and ESPN
John Fay / Cincinnati Reds:
Mark Prior in camp with the Reds — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The minor leaguers reported to camp today. Among them was Mark Prior. — Yes, that Mark Prior. — Prior, a 32-year-old right-hander, has not pitched in the majors since 2006 because of shoulder problems. He's made several comeback attempts since.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Red Reporter, Minor League Ball, redsminorleagues.com, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Mike Puma / New York Post:
‘Last chance’ vet hoping to land with Amazin's — PORT ST. LUCIE — If this Byrd doesn't fly north with the Mets, he expects to be roadkill. — “I kind of look at it as a last chance,” Marlon Byrd said yesterday. “If I don't make this team, I don't see many other chances in baseball.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Newsday, HardballTalk and Metsblog
RELATED:
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Mets value OBP above SBs in search for leadoff man
Mets value OBP above SBs in search for leadoff man
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and baseballmusings.com
Jane Lee / MLB.com:
A's tab Anderson to start Opening Day — After strong finish to injury-shortened 2012 campaign, southpaw to face M's — MESA, Ariz. — A's manager Bob Melvin came to reporters with an announcement Thursday morning, and he did not waste any time delivering it.
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
Ex-Met fires back at Marlins owner — TAMPA — Jose Reyes wants to move on from his bizarre, one year stint with the Marlins. — “I feel like I'm home here,” he said, in his Blue Jays cap, yesterday at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “It's good.” — But the former Mets star …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Fish Tank blog, New York Times, Fish Bytes and MLB Daily Dish
Matthew Berry / ESPN:
Consider the facts — Let's make a trade, me and you. — I'm gonna trade you “Player 1.” Player 1 is an on-base machine, top 10 in baseball in walk percentage and the leader at his position in pitches per plate appearance. He improved his home run and runs totals, as well as his slugging percentage …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
B.J. Rains / MLB Rumors:
Why I Chose My Agency: David Wright — Third baseman David Wright signed an eight-year, $138MM extension with the New York Mets last December. Months earlier, agents Sam and Seth Levinson of ACES faced a PED-related investigation from MLB. Wright recently spoke about his relationship …
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Trout a bargain for Halos now, but not for long — Outfielder set for fascinating second year, for reasons business- and ball-related — Vernon Wells will make $24.6 million this year. — Mike Trout will make less than $1 million. — What a world, huh?
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Fox Sports:
Here's why you should care about WBC — Here is a message for all those players, managers and GMs who view the World Baseball Classic as a nuisance: — Get over yourselves, and think about your sport. — Yes, the WBC is an inconvenience, a disruption to spring training …
Discussion:
Baseball America
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
GM: Yankees made ‘significant’ offer to Cano — TAMPA, Fla. — The New York Yankees have “made a significant offer” to Robinson Cano in an attempt to avoid getting into a bidding war for the All-Star second baseman's services this winter, according to general manager Brian Cashman.
Discussion:
NESN.com
RELATED:
Bryan Hoch / Bombers Beat:
Yankees have made “significant offer” to Robinson Cano
Yankees have made “significant offer” to Robinson Cano
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors