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.
RELATED:
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 …
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 …
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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Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers' stars, past and present, available at Fan Fest — except for the biggest — The Texas Rangers FanFest schedule for Saturday at Globe Life Park includes just about every current player and some of the biggest names in club history. Autograph hounds will have a chance …
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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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 …
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Lone Star Ball
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:
MMA Fighting and MMAWeekly.com
Nathan J. Fish / Arizona Republic:
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.
Discussion:
The Comeback and AZ Snake Pit
Mike Florio / ProFootballTalk:
Malik Jackson isn't buying that Tom Brady is injured — Tom Brady has a hand injury that will affect him on Sunday. Unless it doesn't. — The Jaguars will be better on the latter, and preparing to face Brady at 100 percent. — “I remember [Bill running back] LeSean McCoy …
Discussion:
NESN.com and FanRag Sports
USA Today:
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.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
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.
