Top News:
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Even as spring training begins, baseball's endless offseason lingers — Spring training is typically a time for rebirth, unbridled optimism and a conga line of players showing up in the best shape of their lives. — This year, the traditional reporting date serves another purpose …
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Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Where does Jake Arrieta go now? — Chicago Cubs were down the road with Yu Darvish, but before they completed a deal, Cubs baseball president Theo Epstein, respectfully, put in one last call to the Cubs' star free agent Jake Arrieta for one last, long-shot chance to see if — if need be …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs agree to terms with pitcher Yu Darvish on six-year, $126 million deal — Chicago Tribune — The long wait was well worth the pursuit for the Cubs, who agreed to terms Saturday with marquee free-agent pitcher Yu Darvish. — A cold, uncertain winter thawed four days before the team's …
Discussion:
Union-News
Star Tribune:
Rays' Chris Archer is in Twins' sights as spring training approaches — The Rays righthander has a club-friendly contract. — FORT MYERS, FLA. - After failing to land Yu Darvish with a five-year contract offer, the Twins are looking at several other free-agent pitchers …
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Talking Chop and 1500 ESPN Twin Cities
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Reportedly Made Late Call To Arrieta Before Signing Darvish — The Cubs “put in one last call” to Jake Arrieta before completing their six-year, $126MM deal with Yu Darvish, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. Heyman says Epstein respectfully inquired as to whether Arrieta …
Dayn Perry / CBSSports.com:
Arrieta reportedly turned down big money from Cubs before they signed Darvish
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Reports of Brewers' interest level in Yu Darvish exaggerated
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, CBS Chicago and Lone Star Ball
John Harper / Baltimore Sun:
Will Yu Darvish signing signal a spring training free-agent thaw as camps open?
Roch Kubatko / School of Roch:
More on starting pitching and Richard Bleier's refusal to relax
Discussion:
Camden Chat and MLB on Yahoo! Sports
San Francisco Chronicle:
49ers' Foster arrested; domestic violence suspected — Reuben Foster, the 49ers' inside linebacker, was booked Sunday at the Santa Clara County Jail on charges relating to domestic violence, according to a person with knowledge of the incident. — Foster, 23, was arrested in Los Gatos …
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, Mercury News, FanRag Sports, Pro Football Rumors, Raiders Wire, KNBR-AM and twitchy.com
ESPN:
How much more valuable will Manny Machado be as a shortstop? — EDITOR'S PICKS — Want to join powers like the Yankees and Dodgers at the top, but aren't sure how your team can get there? We crunched the numbers, and this is how to do it. — Crunching the numbers to forecast …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards prospect Greene digs deep to find answers to problems — JUPITER, Fla. • It wasn't the elevated anxiety on the mound, the touch-and-go command, or even the jostled focus that finally assured Conner Greene something was amiss for him this past season. A few phone calls with his father did.
Associated Press:
Kidnapped mother of Pirates' Elias Diaz rescued in Venezuela — CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan authorities say police have rescued the mother of Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Elias Diaz three days after she was kidnapped. — Zulia state Gov. Omar Prieto announced Sunday evening …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
An unsettling possibility accompanies Rangers to spring training — The countdown to report day for Texas Rangers pitchers and catchers has reached one hand — Mordecai “Three-Fingers” Brown's right hand, at that. — Wednesday is the big day, the one fans yearn for as soon as their team's season ends.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Lone Star Ball
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Lyons — healthier, stronger — prepares for any pitching role — JUPITER, Fla. • Lefthander Tyler Lyons, strictly a reliever for the second consecutive after being a swing man for the Cardinals in his first three big-league seasons, had a solid season last year.
Ryan Ford / Detroit Free Press:
Ex-Tiger J.D. Martinez one of many free agents still waiting on deals — A look at three key MLB free agents still looking for contracts as of Feb. 11. Video by Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press. Wochit — CONNECT — While Michigan is buried in a winter wonderland this week …
Kevin Kernan / New York Post:
Zack Wheeler taking prescribed injections to revitalize his career — PORT ST. LUCIE — Zack Wheeler's desire to return to the Mets this season fully healthy is off the charts. Here is what you don't know about Wheeler fighting his way back: — In an effort to overcome the stress reaction …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB on Yahoo! Sports, MLB Trade Rumors and baseballmusings.com
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
5 things to watch: Detroit Tigers pitchers, catchers first workout on Feb. 14 — With Detroit Tigers pitchers and catchers scheduled to report to spring training on Tuesday and have their first workout Wednesday, Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech looks at five things to watch from the group this spring:
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