Top News:
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
MLB drops the ball in ruling Mexico out of the World Baseball Classic — Venezuela's Robinson Chirinos (28) scores during the World Baseball Classic game against Mexico at Charros de Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara on March 12. (Jose Mendez / EPA) — Americans might not take the World Baseball Classic …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Lookout Landing and Cubs Insider
RELATED:
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels' Mike Trout is open to playing for U.S. in WBC in the future — Angels center fielder Mike Trout has been impressed with the World Baseball Classic games. (Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press) — Mike Trout hasn't contracted a full-blown case of World Baseball Classic fever …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven and FanRag Sports
James Wagner / New York Times:
Mets Players at World Baseball Classic Reconnect With Roots
Mets Players at World Baseball Classic Reconnect With Roots
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Mark SaxonESPN / ESPN:
Yadier Molina blasts MLB over security for families at WBC
Yadier Molina blasts MLB over security for families at WBC
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe, Athletics Nation and NESN.com
Tracy Ringolsby / Baseball America:
Love Of Country Drives Adrian Beltre To Play In WBC
Love Of Country Drives Adrian Beltre To Play In WBC
Discussion:
The Good Phight and Lone Star Ball
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
DeSclafani has UCL sprain, shut down four weeks — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cincinnati Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani has a sprain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will be shut down from throwing for at least four weeks. The 26-year-old was diagnosed by team medical director …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Redleg Nation, redsminorleagues.com, Red Reporter and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Anthony DeSclafani's elbow soreness returns, likely to start on DL
Anthony DeSclafani's elbow soreness returns, likely to start on DL
Discussion:
Red Reporter, MLB Daily Dish, Redleg Nation, Yahoo Sports, FanRag Sports and MLB Trade Rumors
Star Tribune:
Boston's David Price likely to start season on disabled list — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Boston Red Sox left-hander David Price is likely to start the season on the disabled list because of his sore pitching elbow. — Starting the second season of a $217 million, seven-year contract, Price has not yet appeared in an exhibition game.
Discussion:
Over the Monster and baseballmusings.com
Meghan Montemurro / delawareonline:
Former No. 1 pick Mark Appel at career crossroads — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Mark Appel is running out of chances to prove he can be a starting pitcher in the big leagues. — CLOSE — RHP Mark Appel discussed whether he thinks about competition among young Phillies starters and if he's antsy to reach MLB.
Discussion:
FanRag Sports
Fox Sports:
Rockies 1B Desmond breaks hand in spring game — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) The Colorado Rockies lost one of their biggest offseason acquisitions when Ian Desmond was hit by a pitch Sunday, breaking his left hand. — Desmond was plunked by Cincinnati right-hander Rookie Davis with a 93 mph fastball …
Discussion:
Purple Row and baseballmusings.com
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Nick Groke / Denver Post:
Ian Desmond breaks his hand in Rockies spring game on a pitch
Ian Desmond breaks his hand in Rockies spring game on a pitch
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Purple Row and MLB Daily Dish
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Ian Desmond To Undergo Surgery Following Left Hand Fracture
Ian Desmond To Undergo Surgery Following Left Hand Fracture
Discussion:
ESPN and Yahoo Sports
Eric Longenhagen / FanGraphs Baseball:
2017 Top 100 Prospects — Below is my list of the top-100 prospects in baseball. Each prospect has a brief scouting summary here with links to the full team reports embedded in their names where applicable. Those without links will have them added as I cover the remaining farm systems.
Erik Boland / Newsday:
Yankees' young prospects having a ‘great’ spring training … TAMPA, Fla. — Brian Cashman has been at it too long. — Too long to be fooled by spring training. Too long to use strong March performances as predictors for the regular season. — Still, many of the young players the Yankees …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies prospect Nick Williams homers, robs a home run in same inning — SARASOTA, Fla. — The eighth inning of a mid-March Grapefruit League game is about as inconsequential as they come, but it will be hard this spring to top what Nick Williams did. — The Phillies outfield prospect bashed …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
David Laurila / FanGraphs Baseball:
Dick Williams on Innovation, Infrastructure, and a Reds Rebuild — A few weeks ago, Cincinnati Reds general manager Dick Williams was one of several executives to weigh in on the question: “How necessary is it for an MLB front office to pick a direction and stay the course?”
Discussion:
Red Reporter, redsminorleagues.com, Redleg Nation and Society for American …
Peter King / SI.com:
A Free Agency Free-For-All — After four frenzied days of signings, trades and rumors, here's a look at the most impactful moves, including the Patriots' deals, the innovative Houston-Cleveland swap, the five-million-dollar fullback and much more — Tony Romo's most likely landing place
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, NESN.com, CBS Detroit and The Big Lead
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves Claim Kevin Chapman From Astros — The Braves announced on Monday that they've claimed left-handed reliever Kevin Chapman off waivers from the Astros. Houston reportedly placed the 29-year-old Chapman on waivers over the weekend. Atlanta had an open spot on its 40-man roster, so no corresponding move is necessary.
Discussion:
Talking Chop, The Crawfish Boxes and Houston Chronicle
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Kris Bryant on his 2017 contract with Cubs: ‘I feel respected’ — Photos of Kris Bryant, the 2016 National League MVP and the Cubs' second overall pick in the 2013 draft. — Chicago Tribune — Kris Bryant was grateful that the Cubs compensated him Friday with the largest contract ever given …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune and Bleacher Nation
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies trade for ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte — CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Phillies were able to add both a lefthanded and a righthanded pitcher to their bullpen competition on Sunday by acquiring ambidextrous reliever Pat Venditte in a trade with Seattle. — Venditte, 31, can throw with either hand.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
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Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies, Mariners Swap Joey Curletta, Pat Venditte
Phillies, Mariners Swap Joey Curletta, Pat Venditte
Discussion:
The Good Phight and Baseball America