Top News:
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Bill Webb, Tailor of TV Baseball Excitement, Dies at 70 — Bill Webb, whose direction of baseball broadcasts nationally for Fox Sports and locally for the Mets featured exceptional anticipation and rapid camera cuts to heighten tension, died Tuesday in Morristown, N.J. — He was 70.
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Royals send top prospects Josh Staumont and Kyle Zimmer to minor-league camp — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — The Royals began the process of thinning out their spring training roster on Wednesday morning, sending five pitchers and four position players to minor-league camp.
Discussion:
OutsidePitchMLB and Royals Review
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
3 takeaways from Rays 9-7 loss to Colombia WBC team — 3 takeaways from Rays 9-7 loss to Colombia WBC team: — * Tim Beckham is sizzling. Beckham, who is cementing a role as at least a utility player (and potential opening day shortstop given Matt Duffy's slow recovery from heel surgery) …
Steve Givarz / Baseball Prospectus:
Draft Notes, March 9 — Alex Faedo, RHP, University of Florida — Seen in a 8 2/3 IP start on 2/24. Athletic body; lacks remaining physical projection due to age as well as current body mass. Pitches from a full-wind; compact arm action with a high elbow in the back; slight reach in the back …
Discussion:
redsminorleagues.com
Oliver Macklin / MLB.com:
Dutch walk off vs. Taipei, advance to Round 2 — Dutch center fielder Jurickson Profar drew a bases-loaded walk to help the Netherlands complete a wild late-inning comeback and punch a ticket to the second round of the World Baseball Classic with a 6-5 win over Chinese Taipei at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Talking Chop and Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Fox Sports:
Israel reaches 2nd round of the WBC with Mensch power — TOKYO (AP) With a little help from “The Mensch on the Bench” mascot, Team Israel is into the second round of the World Baseball Classic. — Just 41st in the world rankings, Israel shocked third-ranked South Korea 2-1 in its opening game …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Fashion Statement: Matheny cracks wise on home wins & haberdashery — The front of the Cubs' spring training T-shirt shows a meditative bear, wearing Ernie Banks' No. 14. The slogan on the back — which is a mantra the team used during a January mini-camp — reads, “In Blue Out Red,” …
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Socrates Brito Undergoes Surgery On Dislocated Finger — Diamondbacks outfielder Socrates Brito required surgery to repair an “open dislocation of the fourth finger on his left hand” this evening, the Diamondbacks announced. A specific timetable for the 24-year-old's recovery has yet to be determined …
Discussion:
Pirates Breakdown and AZ Snake Pit
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Notes: Reds' rotation battle yet to narrow — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - When spring training began, Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price said he'd likely be pulling from a group of five pitchers to fill the final two spots in his rotation. Almost a month into camp, that competition hasn't narrowed.
Discussion:
Redleg Nation and redsminorleagues.com
Travis Sawchik / FanGraphs Baseball:
J.D. Martinez Debunks Conventional Wisdom, Thinks a Tipping Point Is Near — Editor's Note: the following post contains spicy language. — J.D. Martinez had just concluded a chat with a Tigers beat reporter when I approached him Monday afternoon. I sensed him preparing to escape …
Discussion:
Royals Review, Bless You Boys and MLB Trade Rumors
ESPN:
Manny Machado made dad proud by picking Dominican Republic — SARASOTA, Fla. — The World Baseball Classic is billed as a fierce competition pitting country against country with national pride on the line. — However, the motivation to compete runs even deeper than that for Baltimore …
Discussion:
Baltimore Sun, School of Roch, Camden Chat and Talking Chop
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Latest On Angel Pagan — We've heard mostly crickets on the market for veteran outfielder Angel Pagan, who turned in a strong bounceback year in 2016 (.277/.331/.418 with 12 home runs and 15 stolen bases) but remains unsigned with camp well underway. MLBTR's Steve Adams recently looked …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout and Jays Journal