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:
CBSSports.com, MLB Rumors, HardballTalk and Over the Monster
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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
Evan Grant / Texas Rangers Blog:
Source: Texas Rangers close to deal with Derek Lowe — SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Rangers are about to sign a Scott Boras-represented starting pitcher. Or a reliever. He can do both. — According to a major league source Tuesday, the Rangers are on the verge of a minor league deal with 39-year-old RHP Derek Lowe.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Lone Star Ball
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Inbox: Could injuries bring Lohse into picture?
Inbox: Could injuries bring Lohse into picture?
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors and Lone Star Ball
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:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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
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
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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Matthew Callan / Amazin' Avenue:
The Night Hugo Chavez Broke Shea Stadium — We have a strict NO POLITICS rule here at Amazin' Avenue. Nonetheless, I could not let the passing of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez go by without sparing a few nonpartisan words about his small role in one of the weirdest nights ever seen at Shea Stadium.
Discussion:
SportsGrid, Old Time Family Baseball and Baseball Nation
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
Associated Press:
Cardinals hire Willie McGee — JUPITER, Fla. — The St. Louis Cardinals have hired former great Willie McGee as a special assistant to the general manager focusing on the minor leagues. — The 54-year-old McGee, added to the staff on Wednesday, served a special instructor at spring training last month.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Scott Miller / CBSSports.com Sports News …:
Free agent Wilson not expected to sign until after season starts — Free-agent reliever and former Giants star closer Brian Wilson continues his rehabilitation pretty much in anonymity, and it might be several weeks into the season until he's ready to sign.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
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.
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.