Top News:
Kyle Downing / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs To Sign Yu Darvish — 6:02pm: Darvish's opt-out comes after the 2019 season, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports tweets. — 5:17pm: The Cubs and Yu Darvish have agreed to terms on a contract that will bring the righty to Chicago, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports on Twitter.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, MLB on Yahoo! Sports, MLB Daily Dish, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Bucs Dugout and Twinkie Town
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David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: For the Cubs to become serious World Series contenders again, it had to be Yu — Chicago Tribune — Ask Cubs fans how much longer pitcher Jon Lester has left on his contract and almost nobody will know. — Even fewer will care. — After Lester helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016 …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune and Astros County
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
What does the Darvish deal mean for other free agents and teams? — Is $126 million in February any different from $126 million in November? After months of waiting and speculation, Yu Darvish signed with the club many predicted he would end up with at the beginning of the offseason.
Jay Cohen / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
AP source: Yu Darvish, Cubs reach $126 million, 6-year deal — CHICAGO • A person with direct knowledge of the deal tells The Associated Press that ace Yu Darvish and the Chicago Cubs have reached agreement on a $126 million, six-year contract. — The person spoke Saturday on condition …
ESPN:
How Yu Darvish's move to Chicago affects his fantasy value — Someone signed!!! — A significant someone, too, and with a team that is sure to beef up his fantasy baseball headlines, as Yu Darvish reportedly fetched a $126 million guarantee over the next six seasons from the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.
ESPN:
Yu Darvish, Cubs agree to 6-year deal worth $126 million — The Chicago Cubs and free-agent ace pitcher Yu Darvish have agreed to a six-year, $126 million deal, a source confirmed to ESPN's Jesse Rogers. — The deal, which includes an opt-out clause and no-trade protection …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Brian T. Smith / Houston Chronicle:
At last, your World Series champion Astros are back — Jose Altuve digging into the box, staring straight back at the pitcher he's about to beat and ripping a sharp single to left field. — George Springer racing in from center, leaping into the air and somehow making a catch …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports and Pinstripe Alley
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Associated Press:
Pitchers Mike Foltynewicz, Kendall Graveman lose in arbitration; players lead 7-6 — PHOENIX — Atlanta pitcher Mike Foltynewicz and Oakland pitcher Kendall Graveman have lost to their teams in salary arbitration. — The decisions Saturday left players with a 7-6 lead.
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carpenter says shoulder injury ‘normal, not in the back of my mind’ — Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter, cones at his feet and coaches all around, shuffled latterly to catch a soft-tossed baseball, jab-stepped back to catch another, and then hustled forward to catch another.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Schafer is back to take another shot with Cards — JUPITER, Fla. • The most likely roster allotment for the Cardinals this season would be 12 pitchers and five extra men to go with the eight regulars, equaling the 25-player limit. But, for the second season in succession …
Associated Press:
Don Mattingly on Marlins: 'I'm really excited about what's going on' — MIAMI — After all the deals and departures, Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly says he's enthused about the upcoming season. — Really, he is. — “You probably think I'm crazy but I'm really excited about what's going on …
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Everyone knows who plays third base for Rangers. The key is knowing how to keep him on the field — The star of all Texas Rangers stars came to spring training injured last season and was out on Opening Day and injured again by the end of the season. That's how Adrian Beltre will likely remember 2017 …
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Robert Gsellman's plan for new Mets season: ‘Stay quiet and go about your business’ — PORT ST. LUCIE - The 2017 season marked a disastrous year for Robert Gsellman, replete with injuries, poor pitching and a notable flap with GM Sandy Alderson over his commitment.
Albert Breer / Sports Illustrated:
Jimmy Garoppolo's New Deal: Kyle Shanahan on How the 49ers' QB Earned His Contract — When Kyle Shanahan took over as the 49ers' head coach, it seemed pretty obvious that he would try to get QB Kirk Cousins down the road. So how did San Francisco end up handing Jimmy Garoppolo a massive contract?
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, Pro Football Rumors, NESN.com and FanRag Sports
