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 …

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.

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.

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?

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

Pujols Homers, Trout Triples but Rangers Beat Angels 15-8  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Albert Pujols homered and Mike Trout hit an RBI triple, but the Texas Rangers tagged Los Angeles Angels closer Huston Street for six runs Tuesday in a 15-8 victory.  —  Trout, last year's AL MVP …