Adrian Gonzalez promises not to be a problem in Mets clubhouse, plans to work with Dominic Smith  —  Adrian Gonzalez will not be a clubhouse problem with the Mets.  The veteran first baseman, who signed a one-year deal with the team, did not deny reports that former Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine …

Jacoby Ellsbury on the move?  MLB trade rumors heat up  —  The New York Yankees are looking to move outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and his gigantic contract this offseason.  —  The favorite son of Madras, Ore., and former Oregon State standout falls to fifth choice in a crowded Yankees outfield …

Twins hire ex-pitcher Jim Kaat as special assistant  —  MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins have hired former starting pitcher Jim Kaat as a special assistant to the organization.  —  The Twins announced Thursday that the 79-year-old Kaat will be involved in various community and business initiatives …

Mike Trout will be baseball's highest-paid player in 2018  —  A slowly developing and player-unfriendly off-season across Major League Baseball will produce at least one unintended consequence.  —  The game's greatest player will now be its best-compensated, too.

Rangers' Gallo took a Lyft, but there's a catch to this ride  —  ARLINGTON  —  Joey Gallo is from Las Vegas and continues to live there in the off-season.  —  As might be expected, the Texas Rangers' slugger apparently likes to gamble.  But not the kind that can get him banned from baseball.

Yu Darvish dinner with group of Rangers' staffers, feeds fan frenzy  —  Free agent Yu Darvish is still untied to a major league team but his Texas Rangers' ties run deep.  —  The right-hander, who pitched for the Rangers for more than four seasons before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers last season …

B-Lark University: Barry Larkin shapes young stars...until he's ready to manage the Reds  —  EVERY OFFSEASON, PLAYERS LIKE DEE GORDON AND FRANCISCO LINDOR SEEK OUT THE PRIVATE COACHING OF BARRY LARKIN.  TAKE A VISIT TO B-LARK UNIVERSITY.  —  ORLANDO - It wasn't yet winter break …

When do Braves report for 2018 spring training?  —  The Atlanta Braves will be playing their final spring training at Champion Stadium at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.  —  Pitchers and catchers report Tuesday, Feb. 13, and will have their first workouts Wednesday, Feb. 14.  Full-squad workouts begin Monday, Feb. 19.

Royals sign outfielder who once made obscene gesture to Detroit fans  —  The Royals added depth to their outfield corps on Wednesday with the signing of Tyler Collins to a minor-league contract.  —  As part of his deal with the Royals, Collins was invited to spring training, which starts next month in Surprise, Ariz.

CC Sabathia glad with addition of Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees back to ‘being that hated team’  —  The Yankees are embracing the hate.  —  CC Sabathia was still a free agent at the time the Bombers pulled off a blockbuster deal to acquire reigning NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton.