Top News:
Associated Press:
Fed up Pirates fans want Bob Nutting to sell team after trades — PITTSBURGH — Some Pittsburgh Pirates fans are signing a petition to express their frustration following the team's decision to trade star outfielder Andrew McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants. — EDITOR'S PICKS
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ESPN
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ESPN:
Josh Harrison: ‘Perhaps it would be better for all involved’ if Pirates trade me, too — Pirates infielder Josh Harrison, in response to Pittsburgh's recent trades of Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole, said he also would prefer to be traded if the organization intends to enter a rebuilding phase.
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score, New York Post and NBCSports.com
Marlowe Alter / Detroit Free Press:
Are the Detroit Tigers the worst team in MLB? Bleacher Report says yes — We're about a month away from a new era of Detroit Tigers baseball. — That's right, pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Lakeland, Fla. on Feb. 13, and the team's first full-squad workout is Feb. 19.
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Submit questions now for Detroit Tigers live chat at noon today
Submit questions now for Detroit Tigers live chat at noon today
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Associated Press:
Twins hire retired Justin Morneau as special assistant — MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins have hired the recently retired Justin Morneau as a special assistant. — The team said Wednesday that Morneau will become the fourth former Twins player from his generation to get the job …
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Are the Cubs gearing up for a run at Bryce Harper? — CHICAGO — He was there, though only in spirit. — Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper was omnipresent at the recently completed Chicago Cubs fan convention simply because there's growing sentiment that he could be on the team after he hits free agency in November.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
Phillies' Jerad Eickhoff, healthy and smarter, resets after disappointing 2017 season — After Jerad Eickhoff was humbled last summer, he would stand in front of a locker in Georgia or California and proclaim he could handle it because of his mental toughness.
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Jeff Passan / Yahoo Sports:
Here's why baseball's economic system might be broken — Never did Tony Clark utter the word. He didn't have to. Every question he asked, every implication he made, dripped with its presence. Early last week, as top officials from Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association met …
Discussion:
SBNation.com, CBSSports.com, NBCSports.com, Bless You Boys, Talking Chop, baseballmusings.com, Royals Review, Toronto, Halos Heaven, Let's Go Tribe and NESN.com
Associated Press:
Gerrit Cole welcomes chance to pitch alongside Justin Verlander — HOUSTON — Gerrit Cole is joining a rotation filled with aces. — “I was just tremendously excited,” Cole said Wednesday, four days after the Houston Astros acquired him from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Calhoun No. 1 in latest rankings, but this teen is proud to be considered Rangers' top prospect — Lost on Tuesday in Jon Daniels' not-so-upbeat assessment of the Texas Rangers' chances in 2018 was the Baseball America unveiling of the organization's top 10 prospects, and center fielder Leody Taveras actually wasn't ranked No. 1.
Discussion:
Baseball America and Lone Star Ball
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves Acquire Shane Carle — The Braves announced that they've acquired right-hander Shane Carle from the Pirates in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Pittsburgh had designated the 26-year-old Carle for assignment over the weekend in order to clear space …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
ESPN:
Agent: Christian Yelich ‘needs to get on with his career’ — Christian Yelich's relationship with the Miami Marlins is “irretrievably broken,” and it would be in the best interests of both the outfielder and the organization if the Marlins trade him before the start of spring training, his agent told ESPN on Tuesday.
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Tim Healey / Orlando Sentinel:
Christian Yelich's relationship with Marlins is reportedly ‘irretrievably broken’
Christian Yelich's relationship with Marlins is reportedly ‘irretrievably broken’
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Associated Press:
Jay Bruce has ‘unfinished business’ in return to Mets — NEW YORK — Jay Bruce says he has “unfinished business” with the New York Mets. — Bruce was back at Citi Field on Wednesday, a day after finalizing a $39 million, three-year deal to bring his big bat back to Queens.
Marc Edelman / Forbes:
Jenrry Mejia Is Likely To Pitch For Mets In 2018, Despite ‘Lifetime Ban’ — On February 12, 2016, New York Mets relief pitcher Jennry Mejia was given what many describe as a “lifetime ban” for testing positive, on a third separate occasion, for the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online