Top News:
ESPN:
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.
Discussion:
Sporting News, Elite Sports NY, MLB on Yahoo! Sports, MLB Trade Rumors, baseballmusings.com and Bleacher Nation
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Associated Press:
Players' association rejects MLB's proposal to institute 20-second pitch clocks, limits on mound visits — NEW YORK — The players' association rejected Major League Baseball's proposal to institute 20-second pitch clocks and limits on mound visits, a move that dares management to unilaterally impose …
Jeff Passan / Yahoo Sports:
MLB's plan on how they can make baseball games at least 10 minutes shorter
MLB's plan on how they can make baseball games at least 10 minutes shorter
Discussion:
USA Today, SI.com, Bleacher Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Halos Heaven and Over the Monster
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers to extend netting for spring training play — The nets are going up in Tiger Town. — And when the Detroit Tigers arrive home for Opening Day on March 29 against Pittsburgh, the nets will be up at Comerica Park, too. — As part of a plan to increase fan safety measures …
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Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — It was three years ago on Thursday when the biggest piece of the once star-studded Detroit Tigers' starting rotation left town. — On that night in early 2015, as rumors swirled that ace right-hander Max Scherzer had settled on a free-agent destination but a mystery team still was involved …
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs announce spring training broadcast schedule — Chicago Tribune — Cubs fans won't have much trouble keeping track of the team's spring training games when they begin next month. — The Cubs released their spring training broadcast schedule Friday, and 34 of the 36 exhibition games will air over various broadcast media.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
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.
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Tim Tebow invited to big-league camp for Mets spring training — Tm Tebow is getting the call to the big leagues — major-league spring training, that is. — The Mets' controversial outfield prospect was invited to participate in major-league spring training camp Friday, the team announced.
Matt Gelb / Philly.com:
‘Baseball decisions’ prompt Phillies to wait on free-agent market, GM Matt Klentak says — BETHLEHEM, Pa. — There is less than a month until pitchers and catchers report in Florida and Arizona, and the National League is divided. There are a handful of teams — Dodgers, Nationals, Cubs …
ESPN:
After coming out of left field as a rookie, Rhys Hoskins prepares for stardom — in left field — PHILADELPHIA — Rhys Hoskins took a trip to nirvana this winter. He packed up and moved to San Diego, where a temperature reading in the 60s qualifies as sweater weather and only the occasional gust …
Corpus Christi Caller-Times:
Astros' World Series title a “childhood dream” for former Hooks — J.D. Davis went home to Sacramento in November, where the question he got most frequently was “Where's your ring?” — Davis, a former Hook who spent time with the Houston Astros last season, said the realization has somewhat set …
Paul Schwartz / New York Post:
Eli Manning, Dave Gettleman had ‘great’ first meeting — Eli Manning and new Giants general manager Dave Gettleman recently had their much-anticipated meeting, The Post has learned, and what comes next likely will be an offshoot of what was discussed when the two were in the room together.
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk and FanRag Sports
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Odd man out? Grichuk will keep 'fighting for a job, even if it's not possible' — It's easy to ascertain that there are three outfielders ahead of Randal Grichuk in the Cardinals' pecking order: newly acquired Marcell Ozuna, Dexter Fowler and Tommy Pham. This is not
Jay Reddick / Orlando Sentinel:
UFC Orlando main event set: Josh Emmett vs. Jeremy Stephens — Jeremy Stephens will face Josh Emmett in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Feb. 24 at Amway Center, the Orlando Sentinel has learned. — The battle of top-10 featherweights was finalized Thursday, just four days …
Discussion:
MMAWeekly.com and MMA Fighting
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
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.
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
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