Aaron Boone was ready to take another MLB job before Yankees called  —  Aaron Boone never thought he was going to be the Yankees' manager, until he was.  —  Boone told USA Today he originally had plans to leave ESPN's “Sunday Night Baseball” to join the front office of another MLB team before getting the Yankees job.

Blue Jays sign reliever Jake Petricka to minor-league deal  —  TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have signed right-handed reliever Jake Petricka to a minor-league deal.  —  The deal, announced by the team on Thursday, includes an invitation to Major League spring training.

Cardinals' DeJong hits all the right notes  —  Paul DeJong is pictured preparing for Cardinals spring training on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Derrick Goold  —  Paul DeJong after concert with Palm Beach Symphony principal cellist Claudio Jaffe and PBS concertmaster Evija Ozolins.

Tim Tebow, who isn't yet in Mets camp, still determined to crack MLB: ‘I love trying to prove people wrong’  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Tim Tebow has not arrived yet in Mets camp, but his absence is understandable.  —  After all, how many minor leaguers get to make the rounds on the late-night talk show circuit, too?

The Boss Is Here: Inside Derek Jeter's Quest To Turn Around the Marlins  — Derek Jeter is the product of a baseball culture where success, support and profitability were facts of life.  The Marlins' new CEO is playing defense right now, but he's as confident as ever.

Aging Mets will have to defy all analytical odds to make playoffs  —  Even as the Mets have made good on their intention to take advantage of this slow-moving free agent market, it's impossible not to notice they're not getting any younger.  —  And that seems to matter more than ever …

Inside Baseball MLB Notes |  What is Red Sox's backup plan?  —  Inside Baseball from Jon Heyman brings you news, notes, rumors and more from (nearly) all 30 MLB teams.  For a deep dive into baseball's messy offseason, click here.  For a look at what holes remain for 14 teams hopeful to content this season, click here.

WISCONSIN RESIDENTS PRESALE OPPORTUNITY BEGINS TOMORROW  —  The Milwaukee Brewers today announced the opportunity for Brewers fans to purchase tickets to any of the 10 home games against the Chicago Cubs this season.  The Crew wants Miller Park to be filled with loud and proud Wisconsin fans …

Mets' Jacob deGrom sets sights on another 200-inning season  —  The righthander who finished fifth in the National League with 201 1/3 innings in 2011 also is eyeing a World Series title and the Cy Young Award.  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets starter Jacob deGrom has more important things …

Puerto Rico wins back-to back Caribbean Series titles  —  GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) Jonathan Morales hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning, and Puerto Rico won its second straight Caribbean Series title, rallying past the Dominican Republic 9-4 on Thursday night.

Rubbing Mud: Alex Cobb vs. PECOTA  —  Early this offseason, it looked like Alex Cobb could find a new home very quickly and get very rich in the process.  Rumors tied him closely to the Cubs, for whom his former manager and pitching coach both work, but Cobb also had a handful of other suitors …

St. Louis Cardinals intent on ending 2-year playoff drought  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) Mike Matheny is well aware that he has yet to earn a World Series championship ring during his six seasons as the manager of the Cardinals.  It's not like St. Louis, an 11-time World Series champion, would let him forget.

Pirates ‘deeply concerned’ after kidnapping of Elias Diaz's mother  —  The mother of Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Elias Diaz has been kidnapped in Venezuela, according to multiple reports.  —  The Pirates issued a statement Thursday saying, “We are all shocked and deeply concerned for Elias' mother …

As teammates throw, Reyes watches, waits, set to flaunt his health  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • While work continued Thursday on the landscaping around the Cardinals' clubhouse, the tarp was peeled back from the six pack of mounds that right outside the door at Roger Dean Stadium.