Top News:
Brian MacPherson / blogs.providencejournal.com:
Ryan Westmoreland announces retirement from baseball — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Ryan Westmoreland announced his retirement from professional baseball in an email to several members of the media on Wednesday. — “With a clear mind and heart, as well as the unwavering support and friendship of my family …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and Over the Monster
RELATED:
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Sox prospect Britton arrested on DUI charge
Sox prospect Britton arrested on DUI charge
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Halos Heaven, Over the Monster and HardballTalk
CSN Chicago:
White Sox, Sale have discussed extension — GLENDALE, Ariz. — White Sox pitcher Chris Sale confirmed Tuesday his representatives have had discussions with the club about a contract extension. — Sale, who is about to enter his second season as a starting pitcher, was an All-Star in 2012 …
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, CBSSports.com, HardballTalk and South Side Sox
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Inside the Phillies: Torched by Dominicans, Cole Hamels is no fan of WBC — CLEARWATER, Fla. - This just in: The Phillies are not the best baseball team in the world. — In fact, they looked more like one of those college teams invited to play a big-league club early in spring training during …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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MLB.com:
Nats, Angels get early nods in Power Rankings — Defending-champion Giants, offensively deeper Tigers lurk just behind top two teams — This time last year, the Phillies and the Marlins were predicted by many experts and fans to win the National League East. The Nationals were not considered championship material.
Discussion:
Baseball America and Redleg Nation
Fox Sports:
Cuba tops Japan to win Group A — FUKUOKA, JAPAN (AP) — Alfredo Despaigne hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, helping Cuba defeat two-time defending champion Japan 6-3 Wednesday to finish first in Group A of the World Baseball Classic. — Despaigne's home run off reliever Takeru Imamura …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
What Happens if Nolan Ryan Leaves the Rangers? — Whether it happens, or not, the fact that there's conversation about Nolan Ryan leaving the Texas Rangers is big news. It is, after all, Nolan Ryan, a figure that looms large in the history of baseball as a Hall of Fame pitcher …
Discussion:
Wild Things and Lone Star Ball
Arizona Republic:
Cactus League costs: Phoenix-area cities lose millions operating stadiums but say it's worth it — FONT: — Cactus League baseball has boosted Arizona tourism for decades, but the annual migration of several hundred thousand fans to the Valley is costly for taxpayers.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Ex-UGA pitcher Alex Wood impresses in Braves camp — TAMPA - The Braves were pleasantly surprised when hard-throwing left-hander Alex Wood from the University of Georgia was still available when it was their turn to pick in the second round of the June draft.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Mechanical flaw in delivery troubling Rays' Matt Moore — FORT MYERS — Rays LHP Matt Moore said it's too early in the spring to be concerned with how hard he is, or isn't, throwing the ball. But he definitely is not pleased that it isn't going where he wants.
Bruce Levine / ESPN:
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Bless You Boys, HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and CBSSports.com
Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Slotted at DH, Pujols in lineup for spring debut — Angels slugger ahead of schedule by a week, but knee not yet 100 percent — TEMPE, Ariz. — Albert Pujols is back in action. The three-time Most Valuable Player and nine-time All-Star will be in the lineup at designated hitter …
Discussion:
Hardball Times, MLB Daily Dish, Halos Heaven, HardballTalk and Red Reporter
Patrick Saunders / On the Rox:
Rockies Recap: Rockies 6, Cubs 3: Francis sharp, Rosario homers — Rockies veteran left-hander Jeff Francis delivers a pitch against the Cubs Tuesday at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz. Francis threw four scoreless innings, allowing one hit. — At Salt River Fields
Discussion:
MLB.com, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Purple Row