Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Daisuke Matsuzaka officially signed his minor-league contract with the Indians on Wednesday and -- if a Tweet by MLB.com's Jordan Bastian is accurate -- appeared to fire a shot across the Red Sox bow:
One reason Dice-K picked the Indians? They're in the AL. "I want to pitch against Boston," he said through interpreter Jeff Cutler.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) February 13, 2013
Dice-K wants to go toe-to-toe with the Sox?! GREAT. Finally I'll be ecstatic to see him throw off-speed pitches that don't come close to the strike zone, especially when the bases are loaded!
The Dice-K era wasn't pretty: 17-22 with a 5.53 ERA. He was a key piece in the 2007 run but other than that he could never live up to the hype when the Sox signed him. Blame his ridiculous numbers, his Gyroball, or his entire repertoire of pitches, he couldn't consistently put together quality starts and that's why the Sox let him go.
It's probably for the best for Dice-K to not even be with the Sox. He needed a fresh start more than anyone and I hope he turns it around. Just not against Boston. I want to see Ortiz take a hanging slider deep to right. I want Middlebrooks to crush one over the Monster. I want that and MORE.
Globe:He isn't single-minded | Lester hits the right zone | Herald: Good start for Lester | Gomes glad to be alive | Ortiz: Edgar Martinez Hall of a DH | CSNNE: Follow the leader | Kalish hopes to finally be on the road to full health | WEEI: A painful reminder | Sutton & his family glad to be back withSox
