Diamondbacks camp tour: Desert success hangs in balance with Webb

Dan Haren felt guilty almost as soon as the words came out of his mouth.

With healthy co-ace Brandon Webb sitting beside him as spring camp opened last month, the notion seemed as innocuous as one of Webb's heavy sinkers ... just before the pitch explodes on that filthy downward arc and disappears from the hitter's sight.

Problem is, one month later, it is Webb himself who, for all intents and purposes, has dropped from sight. He is on the comeback trail from shoulder surgery last Aug. 3. He was supposed to be raring to go this spring. But he has not yet appeared in a game. He is not yet on the schedule to appear in...
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Padres camp report: Gonzalez plays on as trade winds swirl

Into the bag, from his locker, went the cleats. Next, the first baseman's glove. Followed by batting gloves.

Preview of coming attractions in San Diego?

The Human Trade Rumor was packing up the other morning. But, alas, only for the 30-minute drive to Tempe for a Cactus League game. Not for a permanent change in residence.

Not yet, anyway.

"I've had some talks with Mr. Moorad," Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez says, referring to Padres CEO Jeff Moorad. "I know where they're at. I know there's a goal. A three-year plan, four-year plan, five-year plan. Whatever it is."

Looking every bit the shor ...
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Brewers: Solution for rotation might be biomechanic

Prince Fielder says Rick Peterson is "a cool dude."

Ryan Braun's review of the new Brewers pitching coach: "Extremely impressive."

Not that it really matters what the two key hitters in the Brewers lineup think of the guy in charge of turning around the worst starting rotation in baseball. But if the Brewers are going to get back to the playoffs after a one-year absence (which followed a 26-year absence), then Fielder and Braun need to count on Peterson and his pitchers to be cool and at least mildly impressive.

There are other new coaches around the game who come in carrying expectations (notably new...
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Brewers: Solution for rotation might be biomechanic

Prince Fielder says Rick Peterson is "a cool dude."

Ryan Braun's review of the new Brewers pitching coach: "Extremely impressive."

Not that it really matters what the two key hitters in the Brewers lineup think of the guy in charge of turning around the worst starting rotation in baseball. But if the Brewers are going to get back to the playoffs after a one-year absence (which followed a 26-year absence), then Fielder and Braun need to count on Peterson and his pitchers to be cool and at least mildly impressive.

There are other new coaches around the game who come in carrying expectations (notably new...
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Mariners camp tour: Figgins eager to live up to contract

The number is 36, as in $36 million.

It's appearing because Chone Figgins had better get used to seeing it.

"I told him, every article is going to have your cont because we would hate to prove Pierre wrong before Figgins even gets to his first opening day with the Mariners.

For now, it's a good number, proof of what Figgins has accomplished in his career, and also proof of what the Mariners were willing to commit during their much-praised winter. But it's also a number that carries expectations, for him and for them.

That's exactly what Pierre was talking about when the two good friends spoke after Fig...
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