Top News:
Associated Press:
Maddon Makes Debut With Cubs in Spring Tie With A's — MESA, Ariz. — Manager Joe Maddon made his spring debut with the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, a 2-2 tie against Barry Zito and the Oakland Athletics. — Travis Wood pitched two perfect innings for a split-squad of Cubs, and Mike Olt hit a two-run homer in the second inning.
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phil Coke “Very Close” To Deal With Unknown Team — Left-handed reliever Phil Coke is “very close” to signing a deal and getting into camp, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports on Twitter. He is expected to have a contract by tomorrow, per the report.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Yahoo Sports, HardballTalk, Metsblog and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs To Sign Phil Coke — 2:15pm: Coke's deal will pay him $2.25MM if he makes the Major League club with the opportunity to earn up to $900K more via incentives, reports MLive.com's Chris Iott (Twitter links). The incentives kick in beginning with his 35th appearance of the season, Iott adds.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Bless You Boys and Bucs Dugout
Fox Sports:
MLB's decision on Josh Hamilton could come as early as next week — FOX Sports — An arbitrator will be needed to decide Josh Hamilton's punishment. — A decision by Major League Baseball on discipline for Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton is expected before Opening Day and could come …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors and HardballTalk
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Los Angeles Times:
Josh Hamilton's future rests with arbitrator as panel splits on rehab treatment — An arbitrator will have to break a split decision about how to handle Josh Hamilton. — A four-person panel, which was to determine whether the Angels outfielder should enter a rehabilitation program for substance abuse …
Discussion:
ESPN, CBSSports.com, The Big Lead, Deadspin, HardballTalk, Sports on Earth Writers, Halos Heaven, Sporting News Feed RSS and MLB Trade Rumors
ESPN:
Report: Arbitrator to make Hamilton rehab call
Report: Arbitrator to make Hamilton rehab call
Discussion:
HardballTalk and baseballmusings.com
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Regarding outfielder's reported relapse, director talks about ‘life concerns’ vs. baseball ones
Regarding outfielder's reported relapse, director talks about ‘life concerns’ vs. baseball ones
Discussion:
Gonzo and ‘The Show’ and Associated Press
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
‘Boring’ Cardinals know how to win — JUPITER, Fla. — The St. Louis Cardinals are the team the tabloids and shock-jock shows love to hate. — You looking for a juicy quote? Maybe stir up a little controversy? Sorry, wrong camp. — You looking for pizzazz, a little flair, or at least someone to brag about themselves?
Discussion:
HardballTalk and The Good Phight
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Drew Magary / Deadspin:
Moron USA Today Columnist Thinks The Cardinals Poop Vanilla Sprinkles — You know, we usually wait until October here to dump on the Cardinals and have the entire city of St. Louis send us polite death threats. But Bob Nightengale ... oh, Bob Nightengale ... you forced my hand early, you abominable f**king hack.
Bill Price / NY Daily News:
Brian Cashman says Derek Jeter should be last Yankees captain — Derek Jeter was the longest tenured captain in the storied history of the Yankees. Brian Cashman thinks he should also be the last. — Speaking on The Mike Lupica Show on ESPN Radio Thursday, the Yankees general manager suggested …
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster, The LoHud Yankees Blog, USA Today, HardballTalk, Deadspin and CBSSports.com
Phil Rogers / MLB.com:
Ethier must prove his worth in crowded outfield — Andre Ethier's offensive production dropped in 2014 and he may have to bounce back in a platoon role because of his struggles with lefties — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Andre Ethier got it right. — He wasn't making waves or creating problems …
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Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Dodgers have offered to pay down …
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Dodgers have offered to pay down …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, NBCSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors and Sporting News Feed RSS
Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago:
Jose Quintana sharp for White Sox in Cactus opener
Jose Quintana sharp for White Sox in Cactus opener
Discussion:
South Side Sox, True Blue LA and Yahoo Sports
Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
‘I thought the bat looked slow’: Scouts on A-Rod — The Yankees' Alex Rodriguez at bat in the 6th inning Wednesday. — TAMPA — If this were opening night of a Broadway play, it might not reach a second show. — “I thought the bat looked slow,” a scout in attendance said.
Discussion:
Sporting News Feed RSS
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Pair among arms vying for two spots on starting staff — 3/4/15: Anthony DeSclafani discusses his approach and details his game plan during his Spring Training debut in a 4-2 loss vs. the Indians — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Indians and Reds had their rotation competitions on display on Wednesday afternoon …
Discussion:
Red Reporter, Cincinnati.com, Let's Go Tribe and Redleg Nation
NY Daily News:
Zack Wheeler, Mets have something to prove against Nationals this season — PORT ST. LUCIE — Zack Wheeler was talking about how much fun it will be matching up against the Nationals this season, when suddenly he turned the conversation in a direction that suggests the Mets are itching …
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, Metsblog and Federal Baseball
John Tomase / WEEI:
HANLEY RAMIREZ IS MASSIVE AND RED SOX HOPE HIS MUSCLES TRANSLATE TO MONSTER PRODUCTION — FORT MYERS, Fla. - Bill Monbouquette was pitching coach at short season Oneonta in 2002 when he saw the future. — Playing shortstop for the Lowell Spinners was a skinny 18-year-old with an explosive bat named Hanley Ramirez.
Discussion:
Union-News, Full Count, Over the Monster and NESN.com
Associated Press:
Hosmer, Morales, Rios Power Royals to 13-2 Win Over Rangers — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Eric Hosmer and Royals newcomers Kendrys Morales and Alex Rios hit consecutive first-inning homers, and AL champion Kansas City routed the Texas Rangers 13-2 on Wednesday in the spring training opener for both teams.
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Andy McCulloughthe / Kansas City Star:
Royals pitcher Tim Collins to undergo MRI after leaving game with elbow injury
Royals pitcher Tim Collins to undergo MRI after leaving game with elbow injury
Discussion:
Royals Review