All-Star Game To Be Awarded By Bid, Manfred Says  —  New MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he intends to award the All-Star Game with a bidding process, rather than alternating leagues as has been the practice generally every season since the game was put in place in 1933.

Pirates Win Arbitration Hearing Against Neil Walker  —  The Pirates have won an arbitration hearing against second baseman Neil Walker, reports MLB.com's Tom Singer (on Twitter).  Walker, who had filed at $9MM as opposed to the club's $8MM figure (as shown in MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker), will earn that $8MM sum in 2015.

Catching?  John Jaso takes a break  —  ST. PETERSBURG — John Jaso will report to Rays camp this month with the rest of the catchers, like he has done the first 11 springs of his pro career.  —  2 Months Ago 1 Week Ago  —  2 Months Ago  —  But for the first time he won't be doing any work behind the plate.

Reds Sign Burke Badenhop, Designate Ismael Guillon  —  1:03pm: Badenhop will earn $50K for reaching 45 appearances, $100K for 50 appearances and another $100K for 55 appearances, reports WEEI.com's Rob Bradford.  He's made 63 or more appearances in each of the past three seasons, making those bonuses seem highly attainable.

Sacramento Kings' talks with George Karl are heating up  —  ›  —  ‹  —  The Kings are engaged in intense conversations with George Karl about their head coaching position, multiple sources have told The Bee.  —  Assistant Tyrone Corbin replaced Michael Malone on Dec. 14 …

As compensation for Choo, SS prospect deftly handles first pro season, position switch  —  2014 MLB.com Top Prospects: Alex Blandino has a solid approach at the plate and the ability to hit anywhere in the outfield  —  CINCINNATI — Although the Reds didn't want him to leave as a free agent …

Commish: Don't surmise PED use  —  BRISTOL, Conn. — Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN.com on Thursday that he would advise Hall of Fame voters not to “surmise” that certain players used performance-enhancing drugs unless there is “credible evidence.”

Jon Niese feeling good about shoulder - and Mets' chances in 2015  —  No longer experiencing pain ‘like there are knives in my (left) shoulder,’ Niese is happy to be part of a pitching staff that could have as many as seven or eight starters competiting for five rotation spots.

Lions' Bush denies involvement in Darren Sharper case  —  The lawyer for Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush said he denies allegations made in a Louisiana courtroom recently that he gave ecstasy to women while hanging out with accused rapist Darren Sharper in Las Vegas.

At least 10 candidates for position, with no clear favorite heading into Spring Training  —  9/14/14: Michael Choice's first career triple plates a run in the 2nd inning, giving the Rangers an early lead  —  ARLINGTON — This may be the mother of all Spring Training competitions.