Top News:
Philly.com:
Touch 'Em All: Jelly Joe Blanton no more — When Joe Blanton takes the mound for the first time in Angel Stadium with his new team, fans who have been oblivious to his career since he left the Phils may be a little surprised. — Blanton, who signed with the Halos as a free agent in December …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Odd offers recall George, but team flaws don't — TAMPA — George Steinbrenner would have loved the Yankees' pursuit of Chipper Jones, including calling whatever the organization did yesterday a “pursuit.” — The Boss adored chasing superstars and assuring the Yankees dominated news cycles.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and HardballTalk
Chuck Strouse / Miami New Times:
New Times Says No to MLB — Sorry, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig. We won't hand over records that detail the inner workings of Biogenesis, the controversial Coral Gables anti-aging clinic that allegedly supplied prohibited drugs to six professional baseball players, including Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, HardballTalk, Getting Blanked and MLB Daily Dish
Brett Bull / New York Times:
The Netherlands Eliminates Cuba at World Baseball Classic — TOKYO — Kalian Sams hit a ninth-inning sacrifice fly to cap a come-from-behind, 7-6 win over Cuba on Monday night at Tokyo Dome that sends the Netherlands to the World Baseball Classic semifinals in San Francisco next week.
Discussion:
Baseball America and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Miley scratched from start with biceps discomfort — Lefty calls it ‘dead arm’ issue; club confident he'll be ready for next turn — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The D-backs scratched left-hander Wade Miley from his scheduled start Tuesday with some discomfort in his left biceps muscle.
Discussion:
Hardball Times, MLB Daily Dish and HardballTalk
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Manuel, Dubee express concern with Halladay's outing — There was a serious air in the conference room as Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee met the media this afternoon. Everybody knew what they had witnessed. In spring training, it is possible for a pitcher to finish with an ugly line …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and The Good Phight
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
DL stint could cost Ortiz $4 million — FORT MYERS, Fla. — As the Red Sox prepare to start the season without David Ortiz, it is worth reviewing what was said in October when he was signed to a two-year deal and what protection the Red Sox built into that contract.
Kevin Baxter / Los Angeles Times:
Scott Kazmir is sharp against Angels, his former team — Cleveland Indians left-hander, released by the Angels after a disastrous 2011 season, gives up three hits over four innings in a scoreless Cactus League game. — Indians pitcher Scott Kazmir pitched four scoreless innings against the Angels on Monday.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe, MLB Daily Dish, Halos Heaven and HardballTalk
Associated Press:
NO MOVEMENT ON FUTURE PLANS FOR HOUSTON ASTRODOME — HOUSTON (AP) - The dilemma of the deteriorating Houston Astrodome remained unresolved Tuesday with the passing of a deadline to put a bond referendum before voters in May. — Harris County commissioners took no action on the ballot initiative …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Dominican Republic Rallies Past Italy 5-4 in WBC — MIAMI (AP) — Nelson Cruz's two-out RBI single broke a seventh-inning tie, and the Dominican Republic overcame an early four-run deficit to beat Italy 5-4 Tuesday in the World Baseball Classic. — The Dominicans (4-0) …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
A tricky Texas two-step with Nolan Ryan — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Nolan Ryan pulled up in his golf cart, chatted for a few minutes and sauntered through the glass doors Monday morning at the Texas Rangers' spring training complex. — He walked up a flight of steps, dropped off his briefcase …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
David Waldstein / Bats:
Yankees Are Said to Pursue Derrek Lee as Replacement for Mark Teixeira — DUNEDIN, Fla. — With few obvious options available to replace the injured Mark Teixeira at first base, the Yankees are becoming creative in their search. They have asked the retired first baseman Derrek Lee whether …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, The LoHud Yankees Blog, River Avenue Blues, HardballTalk, CBSSports.com and MLB Rumors
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Andrew Mearns / Pinstriped Bible:
Yankees Talking to Derrek Lee and Oh God It's Come to This
Yankees Talking to Derrek Lee and Oh God It's Come to This
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, MLB.com and Baseball Nation
Fox Sports:
Harper already psyched for 2017 WBC — VIERA, FLA. — Here is good news for American baseball fans and bad news for the rest of the world: — Bryce Harper, the Washington Nationals' emerging superstar, doesn't plan to miss the next World Baseball Classic.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and CBSSports.com
Associated Press:
Ramirez, Taiwan team agree to short-term deal … KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — Former MLB star Manny Ramirez has signed a short-term contract to play in Taiwan's professional baseball league. — The EDA Rhinos say Ramirez will earn $25,000 a month to appear with the team during this year's March-November season.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and ESPN.com