Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Marcus Stroman's choice puts United States' WBC hopes in his hands — LOS ANGELES - The pitcher starting for the United States in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic originally intended to play for Team USA's opponent, Puerto Rico. — In Sept. 2013, Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman tweeted,
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Sportsnet.ca
RELATED:
Kyle Glaser / Baseball America:
Team USA Beats Japan, Advances To WBC Finals For First Time — LOS ANGELES—The United States' pitching staff was derided as second-tier coming into the World Baseball Classic, a group of guys who didn't make up the best their country had to offer, or even the second-best in some circles.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
USA ousts Japan, in case you mist it! — LOS ANGELES — Throughout their first three World Baseball Classics, the United States' burly batting order had some of the most prodigious sluggers in the Major Leagues, but that never got the Americans to the tournament's final game.
Discussion:
New York Times, Halos Heaven and Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Kyle Glaser / Baseball America:
With WBC On The Line, Tanner Roark Ready For Biggest Start Of His Career
With WBC On The Line, Tanner Roark Ready For Biggest Start Of His Career
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Lookout Landing and Yahoo Sports
Jeff Passan / Yahoo Sports:
Trade talk: White Sox patiently dangling Jose Quintana — Around this time of year, the best scouts start taking little mental notes about the counterparts they see in their travels from camp to spring camp. The back fields, where minor league players ply their trade in front of friends …
Discussion:
Talking Chop and MLB Trade Rumors
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
White Sox sign shortstop Tim Anderson to six-year, $25 million contract
White Sox sign shortstop Tim Anderson to six-year, $25 million contract
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, South Side Sox and MLB Daily Dish
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
White Sox In Extension Talks With Tim Anderson
White Sox In Extension Talks With Tim Anderson
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, NBCSports.com, FanRag Sports and South Side Sox
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Jays finalizing extension with manager John Gibbons — The Toronto Blue Jays and manager John Gibbons are finalizing a multi-year extension and expect to have a deal in place by opening day, sources tell FanRag Sports. This comes just a week after a March 15 report from Rob Longley …
Discussion:
Sportsnet.ca, BlueJaysNation, Toronto and MLB Trade Rumors
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Mark Zwolinski / Toronto Star:
Kevin Pillar helping Devon Travis get into the swing of Blue Jays' lineup
Kevin Pillar helping Devon Travis get into the swing of Blue Jays' lineup
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Jays From The Couch
Marc Carig / Newsday:
Mets' Matt Harvey delivers encouraging outing … LAKELAND, Fla. — For the conundrum of what to do with a diminished Matt Harvey, the Mets still hold what once seemed to be an unthinkable option. — In theory, they could decide that the former ace is not among the top five pitchers in the rotation.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Andre Ethier Doubtful For Opening Day Due To Herniated Disk — Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier has been diagnosed with a “mild” herniated disk in his lower back, and manager Dave Roberts told reporters (including MLB.com's Ken Gurnick) that “it's going to be tough” for Ethier to be ready for the start of the season.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Al's Ramblings
Hollywood Reporter:
David Ross, Chicago Cubs' World Series Victory to Get Movie Treatment (Exclusive) — Radar Pictures is developing a film based on the catcher's memoir, ‘Teammate: My Journey in Baseball and a World Series for the Ages.’ — The Chicago Cubs' dramatic 2016 World Series victory is headed for a replay on the big screen.
Discussion:
FanRag Sports, USA Today, CBS Chicago and Bleed Cubbie Blue
James Wagner / New York Times:
Mets' Bruce Digs In to Data to Find the Right Swing — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Even though he is moving toward the start of the 2017 season, Mets outfielder Jay Bruce wanted a concrete answer as to why he struggled last August. At the time, he was having what he thought was the most consistent season …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Agree To New Contract With Robinson Chirinos — 2:25pm: Chirinos will earn $2.25MM next year and the option is valued at $2.375MM ($100K buyout), Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets. There are also escalators based upon how many times he comes to bat in the upcoming campaign.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and MLB Daily Dish
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Despite Braves' spring results, manager says team is ready — WEST PALM BEACH - When Chaz Roe gave up two runs in the seventh inning of a previously tied game against the Nationals on Tuesday, the Braves were on their way to an eight consecutive Grapefruit League loss.
Cincinnati.com:
Devin Mesoraco progressing, but could miss Opening Day — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Devin Mesoraco called Opening Day “arbitrary” among a 162-game season, so if the veteran catcher isn't ready by that day, he isn't ready, he said on Monday. — Mesoraco played four innings and was 1 for 2 …
Discussion:
Red Reporter and Redleg Nation
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Will Smith To Receive Second Opinion After MRI Shows Ligament Concern — Giants reliever Will Smith did not get the news he hoped for after undergoing an MRI last night. GM Bobby Evans told reporters that the scan showed possible ligament damage that will require a second opinion …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles and MLB Daily Dish