Top News:
Bob Nightengale / Associated Press:
Cole Hamels on Phillies: Winning ‘not going to happen here’ — TAMPA - The words flow out of Cole Hamels' mouth without hesitation, equivocation, or the slightest tinge of remorse. — He wants to be traded from the Philadelphia Phillies. — This is not a threat. — He is not demanding a trade.
RELATED:
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Return to form could benefit slugger, club; health status of Lee also a big factor
Return to form could benefit slugger, club; health status of Lee also a big factor
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Andy McCulloughthe / Kansas City Star:
The K Zone — The key to the composition of the Royals bullpen is both a familiar face and an unknown commodity. They retained Luke Hochevar because they trusted his potential for dominance as a reliever, but his readiness on Opening Day as he returns from Tommy John surgery is still a mystery.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Royals Review, HardballTalk and Fox Sports
George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees give Cuban phenom Moncada secret 2nd workout — TAMPA — The Yankees took a second look at Yoan Moncada early Wednesday evening during a George M. Steinbrenner Field workout, The Post has learned. — Two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed the 19-year-old free agent …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Baseball Essential, River Avenue Blues and Pinstripe Alley
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks' new TV deal believed to be worth more than $1 billion — The Diamondbacks became the latest team to cash in on baseball's exploding local television market, agreeing to remain with Fox Sports Arizona under a contract that's believed to be worth in excess of $1 billion.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Trade Rumors and Sporting News Feed RSS
Joe Frisaro / Associated Press:
Member of 2003 World Series title team holds MLB record for pinch-hits — Lenny Harris was a .269 hitter over the course of his 18-year Major League career. — MIAMI — Another part of the Marlins' 2003 World Series championship squad is joining Miami's big league coaching staff.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Dodger Insider and MLB.com
Comcast SportsNet:
Red Sox begin preliminary extension talks with Farrell — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Traditionally, the Red Sox have used spring training as a time to begin contract extension talks with some of their players. It happened last year with David Ortiz; the year before, the groundwork began …
Discussion:
BostonGlobe.com, providencejournal.com, Boston Herald, Over the Monster, MLB Trade Rumors and HardballTalk
Mike Foltynewicz / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Position battles, compelling storylines at Braves spring training — STORY HIGHLIGHTS — Braves pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Friday. — Platoons figure to be utilized far more extensively by the Braves than in recent years. — The Braves traded away three …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Lackey aiming for World Series trifecta — JUPITER, Fla. • Cardinals veteran John Lackey posted a double-figure win total last year for the 12th consecutive season in which he has been healthy at the big-league level. — Excluding the 2012 season, which he missed for Boston …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers' Verlander ‘way ahead of the curve’ early this spring — LAKELAND, Fla. - Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander's spring is going really well. — He feels good. His arm feels great. — “Obviously, I'm way ahead of the curve, especially opposed to last year,” …
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball
Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com:
Pitcher remains unconscious and in critical condition in a Venezuelan hospital — 2014 MLB.com Top Prospects: Victor Sanchez throws plenty of strikes, keeping the ball down in the zone consistently — Mariners pitching prospect Victor Sanchez showed signs of improvement on Wednesday …
Discussion:
Sporting News Feed RSS, Seattle Mariners blog and HardballTalk
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals To Sign Eric Hosmer To Two-Year Deal — The Royals have agreed to a two-year, $13.9MM deal to avoid arbitration with first baseman Eric Hosmer, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports (Twitter links). The Boras Corporation client, 25, will still have one more year of arb eligibility remaining …
Discussion:
Royals Review, HardballTalk and Sporting News Feed RSS
Jamal Collier / MLB.com:
Well-traveled veteran righty slimmed down in offseason, hopes to prove himself to Nats — Heath Bell, who ate healthy and increased workouts this offseason, hopes his new physique will help the Nats. — VIERA, Fla. — Heath Bell was dropping his 5-year-old son to play at a friend's house …
Discussion:
HardballTalk