Top News:
Tim Elfrink / Miami New Times:
MLB INVESTIGATING CLAIMS TYING MARLINS PITCHER JARRED COSART TO GAMBLING — UPDATE: Cosart has apparently now responded to the claims; an account claiming to be his new official Twitter says his original account was hacked and DMs were sent to incriminate him in a gambling conspiracy.
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Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Jarred Cosart subject of MLB probe — JUPITER, Fla. — Major League Baseball is looking into possible sports-related gambling ties involving Miami Marlins pitcher Jarred Cosart, a league official confirmed to ESPN.com and the Miami New Times on Wednesday. — Cosart, 24, allegedly exchanged …
Darren Rovell / MLB:
Forbes: Average MLB team worth $1.2B — The average Major League Baseball team is worth $1.2 billion, up an astounding 48 percent from last year, according to new valuations published by Forbes magazine on Wednesday. — The driver of the growth, as with all major sports leagues …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, McCovey Chronicles, DRaysBay and ESPN
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Mike Ozanian / Forbes:
MLB Worth $36 Billion As Team Values Hit Record $1.2 Billion Average — If Major League Baseball traded on a stock exchange it would be worth $36 billion. The average baseball team is now worth $1.2 billion, 48% more than a year ago, the biggest year-over-year increase since we began tracking team values in 1998.
Discussion:
UT San Diego, New Jersey Online, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Brew Crew Ball, The Good Phight and Royals Review
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Alex Rodriguez continues to earn Joe Girardi's confidence as Yankees' DH — TAMPA — Alex Rodriguez came to camp needing to prove himself to earn — at-bats. He hasn't done enough for Joe Girardi to name him as the everyday designated hitter, but A-Rod has shown his manager something with his first few weeks of at-bats.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, NBCSports.com and CBSSports.com
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New York Post:
Betances: My velocity ‘nowhere near where it should be’ — TAMPA — Delin Betances didn't know his fastball topped out at 94 mph on Tuesday night against the Tigers at George M. Steinbrenner Field. — All the Yankees' giant right-handed closer candidate understood was that it was short …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and HardballTalk
Mike Petriello / ESPN:
Criticism of O's offseason is unjust — A closer look at their decisions reveals the rhyme to their reason — The return of Manny Machado and addition of Travis Snider is a lot more significant than many realize. — So, could you feel the evident disappointment of Baltimore Orioles fans this winter?
Discussion:
Camden Chat
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Associated Press:
Norris Strong for Blue Jays in 5-2 Win Over Orioles — SARASOTA, Fla. — Looking to cement a spot in the Toronto rotation, Daniel Norris allowed one run in six impressive innings as the Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-2 on Wednesday. — Norris gave up three hits and struck out seven without walking a batter.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Yahoo Sports:
Boldest giveaway ever? Astros Triple-A team makes 2017 World Series rings — After three straight 100-loss seasons, the Houston Astros' well-documented rebuilding project reached the point in 2014 where fans were finally starting to get excited about the future.
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FanDuel Insider
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Scooby Axson / SI.com:
SI cover: 2015 MLB Preview: It's anyone's year
SI cover: 2015 MLB Preview: It's anyone's year
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe and SBNation.com
Associated Press:
Gibson Strikes Out 7 in Twins' Loss to Rays — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Kyle Gibson struck seven in six strong innings for the Minnesota Twins in a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. — Gibson mixed in his slider and placed new emphasis on his changeup in striking …
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Unsafe at home: MLB's Venezuelan stars fleeing country — Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Montero, who has made his home in the Phoenix area since 2007, returned this past offseason to Venezuela, where most of his relatives still live. — He lasted there five days.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and Red Reporter
Associated Press:
Cubs RHP Edwin Jackson Goes to Wrong Spring Training Park — MESA, Ariz. — Edwin Jackson might have had a better day if he never found his way to work. — The Cubs right-hander was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday when he went to the wrong ballpark, then gave up eight runs …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports