Pitch clock, fewer mound visits might go ahead without MLBPA approval  —  Pace-of-game talks between Major League Baseball and the players' association have stalled, increasing the likelihood that baseball will unilaterally implement new rules in advance of the 2018 season, a source told ESPN on Thursday.

Sandy Alderson and Mets hoping continued patience will pay off again, just like it did with Jay Bruce  —  Patience paid off for the Mets with Jay Bruce.  The slow free agent market and Sandy Alderson's plan to wait resulted in the Mets getting a very good hitter, the player they had targeted, on a very team-friendly deal.

Rotation filled with potential excites Rangers newcomers  —  ARLINGTON  —  The clock to spring training is ticking and ticking loudly, especially for those many free agents who have yet to find employment for the upcoming season.  —  The wait is a cruel one, right-hander Doug Fister said, and he should know.

Celebrities arrested in metro Phoenix … Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Yasmany Tomas was arrested Thursday morning on suspicion of driving in excess of 105 mph on Loop 101 in Tempe, the Arizona Department of Public Safety said.  —  Tomas was arrested and booked on charges of criminal speeding and reckless driving, DPS said.

Three Teams To Watch On Julio Pablo Martinez  —  Three teams look like the favorites to sign Julio Pablo Martinez, a 21-year-old center fielder who had been one of the top young players in Cuba and has talent on par with a first-round pick if he were in the draft.

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.

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 …

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 …