February 12
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
columnist Michael Hunt
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Only a fool would say the Brewers will not miss Prince Fielder. He is a freak-of-nature hitter, one of about two of his kind at the moment in the major leagues. Only a fool would say the Brewers could have done something to re-sign him. Even with Miller Park and revenue sharing and top-10 attendance, the Brewers will never be able to do anything about their standing as MLB's smallest media market. Consequently, the Brewers' local radio/TV money, which always will separate them from the outrageous spenders, always will be relative sofa-cushion change. It is a wonder they can afford one $100 million contract with Ryan Braun. Another $200 million contract? Let's just say the Wharton School of"
February 10
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
columnist Dejan Kovacevic
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It's one of the many torments of the Pirates' longest-suffering fans, the perpetual thought that somehow, some way, this will be the winter they make that big free-agent splash. The thought was born, really, when PNC Park opened in 2001 with the promise of spending with the big boys. That bought Derek Bell a yacht. The thought was revived, at least a little, when Bob Nutting took control of ownership in 2007 and restored the team to fiscal responsibility with the promise that prudence would pay in the long run."
February 10
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
columnist David Hyde
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It's goofy. It's risky. It's a multi-colored, multi-layered, 73-foot-high surprise that tickles your eyes, teases your mind and makes your stomach break into a smile. Or not. Purists will hate it in a baseball chapel. Opponents will denounce it in their workplace. "What do you think?" Marlins president David Samson said as I stood, arms folded, head tilted, translating the home run sculpture that sits over the outfield wall at the team's new stadium. I love it. I absolutely love it."
February 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist David O'Brien
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When a reporter mentioned this week that Jason Heyward had dropped about 20 pounds during the offseason and asked Chipper Jones if he'd noticed a difference in Heyward's physique and how it affected his swing, Jones smiled and pretty much scoffed. For the record, the nearly 6-foot-5 right fielder has gone from an imposing, chiseled 256 pounds to a chiseled, imposing 235. In terms to which some of our readers may better relate, Heyward's gone from D-1 defensive end to D-1 tight end."
February 3
Toronto Star
columnist Richard Griffin
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He doesn't demand any favours. In fact, how confident is Jays' right-hander Dustin McGowan in his ability to come all the way back as a member of the major-league starting rotation this spring? So confident that he even offered a mild chiding of GM Alex Anthopoulos when asked about his competition, the field of young candidates he will be facing in Dunedin. "To tell you the truth, it might have been good to add somebody, a veteran pitcher or something, but we didn't," McGowan said. "I'm pretty sure we've got the talent and depth now to fill those holes. Apparently it wasn't a big deal not to add anybody. I'm excited just to go to camp and compete, now that I know I'm healthy and I can do"
February 1
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
columnist Bob Wolfley
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NBC broadcaster Bob Costas sounded a call about the Ryan Braun episode that more observers will repeat if the Brewers' leftfielder fails to win his appeal for reportedly testing positive for a banned substance. Costas was interviewed by Dan Patrick Tuesday morning in Indianapolis on Patrick's radio show. Both broadcasters are at Super Bowl XLVI as part of NBC's coverage of the event. Both are part of NBC's "Football Night in America" show on Sunday nights in the regular season. Patrick asked Costas, who also works for the MLB Network, what was going to happen with Braun's case. "No one has ever won an appeal," Costas said. "The thing is set up and it's made clear that even if you by your"
February 1
Dallas Morning News
columnist Kevin Sherrington
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What will happen with Josh Hamilton's contract negotiations with the Rangers: Sherrington: I think they're going to have to sign him now before spring training because the way I see it and the way his history has been, they can't sign him after the season. One of two things is going to happen with Josh. You know his numbers are going to be good if he's healthy, but he's either healthy or he's not. When he's good, he's very, very good. Let's say he has another monster year like he had in his MVP year, then that drives the numbers out of sight for the Rangers and I don't think they want to do that. They don't want to take that risk. If he has another year where he's injured again, I think"
January 31
Detroit Free Press
columnist Jamie Samuelson
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Can you explain/understand the sympathy expressed by Tigers fans for Brandon Inge, who's once again the odd-man out? I'm just surprised nobody cares what Don Kelly thinks about the Prince Fielder signing. Shouldn't he have a say, too? Shouldn't we all worry what the move means to Kelly? After all, he was penciled in as a platoon third baseman alongside Inge for the 2012 season. So if Fielder is entrenched at first base and Miguel Cabrera slides over to third, doesn't that mean Kelly is also a man without a job?"
January 31
Toronto Star
columnist Richard Griffin
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Most who remember that far back believe the tradition of a State of the Franchise get-together for Jays' season-ticket holders began the first winter of former GM J.P. Ricciardi's tenure in 2002. The annual event was staged for the 11th time on Monday at the Rogers Centre, hosted by president Paul Beeston, GM Alex Anthopoulos and manager John Farrell. Coincidentally, the master of ceremonies was Buck Martinez, the Jays' manager in 2002. The names change but the song remains the same: "Keep the faith. Competing in the division is at hand." Fans seem to buy into it. Other than a few slightly edgy, pointed questions about the Jays missing out on three starting pitchers who landed elsewhere in"
January 27
Dallas Morning News
columnist Kevin Sherrington
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On how Prince Fielder signing with Detroit will affect the Rangers' negotiations with Josh Hamilton: Sherrington: I think you'll see them a little more amenable to negotiating with Josh on this thing, although Josh has said if it isn't done by the start of spring training, he's not talking until the end of the season. … Josh is 31-years-old. I'm not giving him a seven- or eight-year deal either. I don't go more than five or six years with anybody. Especially the Rangers, because here's a team that's built around the farm system. They've done everything right -- they've built this team well, they're put together well, they're procuring international talent, they're in on this Cuban pitcher"