Top News:
Keith Law / ESPN:
Top 100 prospects of 2015 — A slugging third baseman and a five-tool outfielder come out on top — Welcome to ESPN Insider's 2015 ranking of the top 100 prospects in baseball. — This is my eighth such ranking for Insider, with a lot of the same names near the top of last year's list …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
MAKE RELIEVERS FACE MORE THAN 1 BATTER FOR FASTER GAME, MORE OFFENSE — The two goals seem at odds. Baseball wants to increase offense? Baseball wants to improve the pace of game? Wait, wouldn't more offense lead to longer, slower games? — The answer seemingly is yes, but eureka!
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Red Sox Monster, Bleed Cubbie Blue, HardballTalk, ESPN and SI.com
Teddy Cahill / MLB.com:
Buxton looking to defend No. 1 slot with 2015 rankings set to be unveiled — MLB.com's Jim Callis previews two of the top hitters and pitchers on the list of the Top 100 Prospects for 2015 — After an offseason filled with transactions and intrigue, Spring Training is fast approaching.
Justin Jouvenal / Washington Post:
Nationals' Jayson Werth pleads guilty to reckless driving, gets 5 days in jail — Washington Nationals' outfielder Jayson Werth will serve five days in jail after pleading guilty Thursday to a reckless driving charge in Fairfax County. — Under the terms of an agreement reached with prosecutors …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Phillies Nation, Nats Insider, Federal Baseball, Bleacher Report and Sportsnet.ca
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Commissioner Manfred talks pace, players, plans in new role — FOX Sports … ROSENTHAL: You're the commissioner now. Your signature is on the ball. What was your reaction when you first saw that? — MANFRED: You know, I never focused on the ball until they came to collect my signature.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Metsblog, New Jersey Online, The Mets Police and ESPN
Bob Raissman / NY Daily News:
Bobby Ojeda splits with SNY as sides fail to agree on new contract — The sticking point, as it usually is, was money. The two sides remained far apart on the financial terms of a new package for Ojeda. — Bobby Ojeda will not return to SportsNet New York's Mets pre and postgame studio.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online and Metsblog
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Active in the Hot Stove, Miami optimistic about competing for playoff spot — Ichiro Suzuki is introduced as a member of the Marlins organization in Japan, saying he's driven by the team's incredible enthusiasm — MIAMI — Their Hot Stove season started with the record-setting signing …
Discussion:
Marlin Maniac
Associated Press:
Report: Omar Minaya to join MLBPA — NEW YORK — Former New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya is leaving his job as senior vice president of the San Diego Padres to become a special adviser to union head Tony Clark. — Minaya started in baseball management as a scout for the Texas Rangers, where he helped sign Sammy Sosa.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and HardballTalk
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Gillick a curious choice for Phils — UNDERSTAND THIS: The only way the Phillies' latest shell-shuffling makes sense is if they have settled on Pat Gillick as their architect for the future. Also, this: Making sense doesn't always seem to be a prerequisite at One Citizens Bank Way.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Bucks County Courier Times and The Zo Zone
RELATED:
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Giles becomes chairman emeritus; Gillick staying on as president in the short term
Giles becomes chairman emeritus; Gillick staying on as president in the short term
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers To Sign Neal Cotts — 6:53pm: Cotts' one-year deal is worth $3MM, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports. — 6:29pm: The Brewers have reached an agreement with left-hander Neal Cotts on a one-year contract, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports (Twitter links).
Discussion:
HardballTalk, The Brewer Nation, Brew Crew Ball and MLB Daily Dish