Reporting from Tempe, Ariz. Angels Manager Mike Scioscia says he does not believe that Bobby Abreu will be a distraction in training camp after the veteran outfielder told an ESPNdeportes.com reporter that he would prefer to be traded if he doesn’t have an everyday role.

“You don’t get too many guys any more professional than Bobby, so I don’t anticipate that being an issue,” Scioscia said before Wednesday’s workout, a day after Abreu made his comment. “I think if there are some issues, I’m sure that his agent will work through them with Jerry Dipoto, Angels general manager. Bobby’s here, and he’s going to help us win games, and that’s what we’re looking forward to.”

The Angels can’t guarantee Abreu a starting job, and they would prefer to keep him as insurance for the designated hitter spot in case Kendrys Morales doesn’t return from a broken left ankle and Mark Trumbo has a setback in his return from a stress fracture in his right foot.

Abreu’s age — he’ll be 38 in March — his 9-million salary and declining skills will make it very difficult to trade him. Though he was among baseball’s best all-around players for a decade, Abreu hit .253 with eight homers and 60 runs batted in last season and slumped badly in the second half, when he hit .215, including .179 in July and .200 in August.

With Torii Hunter, Peter Bourjos and Vernon Wells set in the outfield, Albert Pujols at first base and Morales and Trumbo likely to pick up many of the DH at-bats, Abreu’s playing time could be squeezed considerably this season.

“Bobby wants to play every day, and he expressed that to me,” Scioscia said. “I think what Bobby fears is that he’s going to be a bench player and play once a week. I think theres a range between playing once a week and playing seven days a week that I can definitely see Bobby playing.”

SURPRISE, Ariz. You wouldn’t expect a closer with 261 career saves to be nervous heading into spring training.

But new Texas Rangers right-hander Joe Nathan had a few butterflies as he made his way to camp in Surprise for the first time.

“I feel like a rookie,” said Nathan, who has the locker that used to be occupied by Darren Oliver. “It feels like the first year for me. It’s been a while since I’ve been around a new environment, a new team. I’ve gotten lost a couple of times. It’s been fun for me.”

The Rangers are hoping the fun continues throughout the season for Nathan, who signed a two-year deal with the club in December.

Nathan will take over for Neftali Feliz as the club’s closer and hopes to show he’s all the way back from Tommy John surgery in 2010. He showed signs of that last year with Minnesota, as he allowed six earned runs over his final 14 appearances and recorded six saves.

The way he closed last season gave him confidence that he’s all the way back from the surgery he had in March of 2010.

“This is as good as I’ve felt since I can’t remember,” said Nathan, who missed all of the 2010 season. “I’m weighing about what I weighed in my 20s. It’s definitely the best I’ve felt coming in for Day 1 in a long time. I’m excited. People have told me that the timeline is about 18 months (from the surgery) and that was the beginning of the offseason. I had a great workout this winter and looked forward to this day for a long time.”

While the Texas pitchers will throw bullpens and to hitters Thursday for the first time in camp, Nathan has already thrown seven times. He said he did that so he would be ready to face hitters early in camp.

Nathan has already had a good offseason. By signing his two year, 14-million deal early, he avoided the drama that many other relievers had to endure.

“It was a different situation for me as well,” Nathan said. “Those guys were in a situation where they were coming off good seasons and they were in a spot where they didn’t want to sign too early but at the same time the musical chairs phrase is where you don’t want to be the last one and run out of teams. There is a time you want to get some things done. For me it was just a matter of seeing what teams were interested.”

And once one of those interested teams was Texas?

“Once Texas showed some interest it wasn’t a matter of waiting,” he said. “It was to see if we could both get to a spot we were comfortable with moving forward and we did. Fortunately for us it was relatively early in the offseason.”

GOODYEAR Brandon Phillips wasted no time putting his body to a supreme test shortly after his arrival at spring training camp late Wednesday morning.

The star Cincinnati Reds second baseman put on his game pants, hiked them to just below his knees, and attacked Krause Hill.

Krause Hill, named after strength and conditioning coach Matt Krause, is a 12-degree grassy knoll next to the clubhouse and rises to what appears to be the highest point in Goodyear.

Phillips sprinted up it at least a dozen times at full speed and when he finished he was not only not gasping for air, he wasnt even breathing hard.

That hill seems to be easier than the other hill he is trying to climb an extension on the contract that expires after this seasons 12 million year.

Phillips, though, is making no demands, setting no deadlines and is not raising his voice as he talks about it.

Im not trying to break the bank or nothing like that, he said. I dont want no Prince Fielder money, nothing like that (9 years, 214 million). I just want to be within what other second basemen are asking for.

General Manager Walt Jocketty stated that the Reds “are interested in continuing talks and hope to do so this spring.”

Atlantas Dan Uggla was signed to a five-year 62 million deal and Chase Utley has a seven-year 85 million contract with Philadelphia.

Through it all, Phillips is being the good soldier. He did say he wishes it were all behind him, that he was signed, sealed and ready to deliver for the next few years.

Of course I hoped it would be over with by now, he said. I hoped Id be coming to camp signed. But it is what it is. All Im going to do is go out there and play as best as I can and do what is best for the team.

My day will come, he added. Ill let my agent and the Reds take care of it. I would have liked to have it worked out, but it didnt work out that way. I just want to be in MY city. They took me in. I have a house here and everything. So lets hope it all turns out.

Phillips says he hasnt heard anything for a while, For so long that I cant remember, it has been that long.

Asked if his agent and the Reds would talk during the season, Phillips said, I heard my agent would try to talk to them again during spring training. I dont know if it is true or not, but he said hell try and hopefully theyll get some things done. This is still where I want to b

I like what they did with the team and now all we have to do is go out there and win and get things done, he said.

Phillips said he wont shut it down, wont say, Its a distraction. I wont talk during the season.

Said Phillips, To tell the truth, not really. I dont see myself saying that. I always love to hear what they have to say and Im not going to let it bother me. Theyll talk to my agent more than myself and my agent will bring it to me. Ill just be worried about going out there and catching the ball and hitting the ball. Thats my job.

And his job will be to bat leadoff after the Reds failed to make any move that might bring a leadoff hitter to the club and permit Phillips to bat in his preferred No. 2 slot.

Ive worked with my dad and my brother to get ready for spring training, he said. I pushed myself hard. Im just happy to be around the team, my second family.

I prepared more last year to be a leadoff hitter than I did this year, he said. I know what it takes to be the best leadoff hitter I can be and Ill go out there and do it my way, try to make things happen for the team. Leadoff? Im looking forward to it.

GOODYEAR Brandon Phillips wasted no time putting his body to a supreme test shortly after his arrival at spring training camp late Wednesday morning.

The star Cincinnati Reds second baseman put on his game pants, hiked them to just below his knees, and attacked Krause Hill.

Krause Hill, named after strength and conditioning coach Matt Krause, is a 12-degree grassy knoll next to the clubhouse and rises to what appears to be the highest point in Goodyear.

Phillips sprinted up it at least a dozen times at full speed and when he finished he was not only not gasping for air, he wasnt even breathing hard.

That hill seems to be easier than the other hill he is trying to climb an extension on the contract that expires after this seasons 12 million year.

Phillips, though, is making no demands, setting no deadlines and is not raising his voice as he talks about it.

Im not trying to break the bank or nothing like that, he said. I dont want no Prince Fielder money, nothing like that (9 years, 214 million). I just want to be within what other second basemen are asking for.

General Manager Walt Jocketty stated that the Reds “are interested in continuing talks and hope to do so this spring.”

Atlantas Dan Uggla was signed to a five-year 62 million deal and Chase Utley has a seven-year 85 million contract with Philadelphia.

Through it all, Phillips is being the good soldier. He did say he wishes it were all behind him, that he was signed, sealed and ready to deliver for the next few years.

Of course I hoped it would be over with by now, he said. I hoped Id be coming to camp signed. But it is what it is. All Im going to do is go out there and play as best as I can and do what is best for the team.

My day will come, he added. Ill let my agent and the Reds take care of it. I would have liked to have it worked out, but it didnt work out that way. I just want to be in MY city. They took me in. I have a house here and everything. So lets hope it all turns out.

Phillips says he hasnt heard anything for a while, For so long that I cant remember, it has been that long.

Asked if his agent and the Reds would talk during the season, Phillips said, I heard my agent would try to talk to them again during spring training. I dont know if it is true or not, but he said hell try and hopefully theyll get some things done. This is still where I want to b

I like what they did with the team and now all we have to do is go out there and win and get things done, he said.

Phillips said he wont shut it down, wont say, Its a distraction. I wont talk during the season.

Said Phillips, To tell the truth, not really. I dont see myself saying that. I always love to hear what they have to say and Im not going to let it bother me. Theyll talk to my agent more than myself and my agent will bring it to me. Ill just be worried about going out there and catching the ball and hitting the ball. Thats my job.

And his job will be to bat leadoff after the Reds failed to make any move that might bring a leadoff hitter to the club and permit Phillips to bat in his preferred No. 2 slot.

Ive worked with my dad and my brother to get ready for spring training, he said. I pushed myself hard. Im just happy to be around the team, my second family.

I prepared more last year to be a leadoff hitter than I did this year, he said. I know what it takes to be the best leadoff hitter I can be and Ill go out there and do it my way, try to make things happen for the team. Leadoff? Im looking forward to it.

SURPRISE, Ariz. — New Texas Rangers starter Neftali Feliz can’t wait to get the season going.

That may have been one of the reasons Feliz showed up at the Surprise Recreation Complex just after 6:30 Wednesday morning.

Feliz, who is making the transition from closer to starter this spring, is ready to begin the process. He’s already thrown four or five bullpen sessions.

“I feel fine,” Feliz said. “The hardest thing is going to be the pitch count. I’ve got to throw more. It’s just a new routine.”

Feliz has already taken steps to try and get ready. Strength and conditioning coach Jose Vazquez put Feliz on a program with the main emphasis being to strengthen the lower half of his body for the added workload.

As for the pitching part, Feliz thinks he can handle that himself. The biggest key there will be to develop pitches to go along with his fastball.

“I’ve been working a lot more on my changeup,” Feliz said. “I didn’t use it much as a closer. The changeup and the slider are the two pitches I’m going to focus on.”

Napoli feeling fine

Mike Napoli jogged around the clubhouse Wednesday to jokingly show the media that his left ankle was fine. Napoli took batting practice Tuesday and said he had no pain in the ankle.

He’s also caught off a machine and squatted behind the plate.

“I ran yesterday and I felt pretty good,” said Napoli. “Everything’s good.”

Napoli is also ready for the challenge of being the team’s No. 1 catcher.

“I’m not going to back down from saying I can catch 130 games,” Napoli said. “I’m up for a challenge. I haven’t caught 100 games in I don’t know how many years. I haven’t been given the opportunity to do it. For people to say I can’t do it is pretty crazy.”

Rangers hire Fernandez

Former All-Star and Gold Glove shortstop Tony Fernandez has been hired by the club as a special assistant to general manager Jon Daniels.

Fernandez, who played in the postseason for five different clubs, was on the field Wednesday with the pitchers and catchers.

“I believe it’s a mentorship program,” Fernandez said of his role. “I will assist JD in different areas, it could be here, it could be with the big club. Wherever he needs is where I’ll be.”

Fernandez has worked with the Tony Fernandez Foundation since he quit playing in 2001. The non-profit organization has offices in Canada, the United States and Dominican Republic.

One role Fernandez will have is working with the club’s infielders, including shortstop Elvis Andrus. While Fernandez hasn’t seen Andrus play in person, he likes what he’s seen from afar.

“The few times I saw him were in the championships and the World Series,” Fernandez said. “He’s quick. I can see that. He has good range. There’s always room for improvement. The most important thing is to develop a relationship with the players first.”

Albert Pujols remains adamant that he not be referred to as “El Hombre,” a moniker he disliked in St. Louis due to his respect for Stan “The Man” Musial. Sadly, the Angels have already rolled out billboards featuring the nickname.

SURPRISE, Ariz. Yu Darvish will throw with the other pitchers in the Texas camp Thursday as the team has its first full workout for pitchers and catchers.

All pitchers except Colby Lewis and Scott Feldman are expected to throw five minutes in the bullpen and five minutes of live batting practice Thursday. Lewis and Feldman had their bullpen sessions Wednesday to keep them on target to pitch in the first spring game for Texas March 4.

Darvish played catch with left-hander Derek Holland Wednesday with around 100 members of the Japanese media watching his every move. Darvish also had some family support as his father Farsad and his mother Ikuyo watched him workout.

They will be here to help Darvish get adjusted before heading back to Japan. Darvish’s father wasn’t surprised by the media turnout because he said it’s been like that since Yu Darvish was in high school. He said it wasn’t uncommon for Yu Darvish to pitch in 40,000-seat stadiums as a high schooler.

As for the added security measures and new media procedures in place for the Rangers this spring, Farsad said he’s not so sure his son was the reason.

“The team is coming off back-to-back trips to the World Series,” he said. “Maybe Yu is just an extra reason and he will put them over the top.”

Darvish will talk to the media for the first time this spring Thursday.

SURPRISE, Ariz. Yu Darvish will throw with the other pitchers in the Texas camp Thursday as the team has its first full workout for pitchers and catchers.

All pitchers except Colby Lewis and Scott Feldman are expected to throw five minutes in the bullpen and five minutes of live batting practice Thursday. Lewis and Feldman had their bullpen sessions Wednesday to keep them on target to pitch in the first spring game for Texas March 4.

Darvish played catch with left-hander Derek Holland Wednesday with around 100 members of the Japanese media watching his every move. Darvish also had some family support as his father Farsad and his mother Ikuyo watched him workout.

They will be here to help Darvish get adjusted before heading back to Japan. Darvish’s father wasn’t surprised by the media turnout because he said it’s been like that since Yu Darvish was in high school. He said it wasn’t uncommon for Yu Darvish to pitch in 40,000-seat stadiums as a high schooler.

As for the added security measures and new media procedures in place for the Rangers this spring, Farsad said he’s not so sure his son was the reason.

“The team is coming off back-to-back trips to the World Series,” he said. “Maybe Yu is just an extra reason and he will put them over the top.”

Darvish will talk to the media for the first time this spring Thursday.

Chipper Jones reported to the Atlanta Braves camp and something was noticeably different.  Apparently Chipper decided to go on the same off season diet as Boris Diaw.   Jones is in the final year of a guaranteed contract, and thus we have no doubt he will shed some of these lbs before the end of spring training

via Deadspin
Article found on: Cosby Sweaters

The Red Sox are moving into a new spring training facility. The most logical name for the facility’s website has already been snapped up and once on the site, viewers are redirected to yankees.com.