Rob Manfred's top five priorities  —  MLB commissioner Rob Manfred routinely gets letters from Pete Rose loyalists who hope he will take a more forgiving stance than his predecessor, Bud Selig, on the subject of overturning the Hit King's lifetime banishment from baseball.

ESPN, NFL lobby for changes in College Football Playoff calendar … The College Football Playoff is under pressure on two fronts to adjust future schedules for its semifinals and championship games, sources say, but the CFP is standing firm on its original dates.

Reds Extend Devin Mesoraco  —  The Reds have locked up one of their core young pieces, agreeing to a four-year extension with catcher Devin Mesoraco the team has announced.  With three years and 28 days of Major League service, the 26-year-old backstop had been arbitration eligible for 2015 …

Yankees prepared for fight over A-Rod home run bonus money  —  The frayed relations between the Yankees and Alex Rodriguez are bound to be front and center when their one-time superstar reports to spring training next month with the goal of not only making the team but of cashing …

Hector Olivera Showcase Report  —  When it comes to 29-year-old Cuban second baseman Hector Olivera, three words come up often that aren't common to hear in the scouting community:  —  “I don't know.”  —  For the scouts who followed Olivera on the Cuban national team from 2008-10, they loved what they saw.

Orioles Avoid Arbitration With Bud Norris  —  Th Orioles have avoided arbitration with right-hander Bud Norris by agreeing to a one-year deal that is worth $8.8MM, reports Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links).  Norris, who is represented by Joel Wolfe of the Wasserman Media Group …

Mangold, Richardson slam Patriots on Deflategate: ‘Not surprised’  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Consider Sheldon Richardson and Nick Mangold skeptics when it comes to the Patriots' claim of innocence in Deflategate.  —  “That's the Patriots,” Richardson, the Jets' opinionated defensive tackle …

CWS Champion Vanderbilt No. 1 In 2015 College Preseason Top 25  —  A year after ending the season with the final No. 1 ranking, Vanderbilt opens the 2015 season ranked No. 1.  —  The defending national champion Commodores head up Baseball America's preseason Top 25 college rankings for the first time.

Twins closer optimistic with new pitching coach, manager heading into 2015 season  —  9/19/14: Glen Perkins is shut down for the remainder of the 2014 season after being diagnosed with a strained forearm and nerve irritation  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Twins closer Glen Perkins said he's fully recovered …

Rockies and Ottavino agree to one-year deal for 2015  —  DENVER - The Colorado Rockies announced today that the club has avoided arbitration with right-handed pitcher Adam Ottavino by agreeing to a one-year deal.  Terms of the deal were not disclosed, per club policy.

Indians ace ‘excited about getting going’ for 2015 season  —  Hall of Famer John Smoltz presents Indians pitcher Corey Kluber with the 2014 American League Cy Young Award during the 2015 BBWAA dinner  —  CLEVELAND — It sat near the edge of a table inside the training room within the Indians' clubhouse.

Baseball's toxic tradition of chewing tobacco  —  Cheeks bulging with chewing tobacco are a common sight on the baseball pitch.  —  Once described as the nation's religion, baseball has a special place in American culture.  But there is a darker side: the cancer-causing tradition of chewing tobacco …

Zack Wheeler must lead Mets turnaround against Washington Nationals  —  FOLLOW @#!  /BTB_MIKEBHURST … There's a saying long popularized by wrestling great Ric Flare - in order to be the man, you gotta beat the man.  —  That holds true for Zack Wheeler and the New York Mets.