Top 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, Over the Monster, Talking Chop and 1500 ESPN Twin Cities
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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:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and Bleacher Nation
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 …
Dayn Perry / CBSSports.com:
Arrieta reportedly turned down big money from Cubs before they signed Darvish
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs agree to terms with pitcher Yu Darvish on six-year, $126 million deal
Cubs agree to terms with pitcher Yu Darvish on six-year, $126 million deal
Discussion:
Union-News
Roch Kubatko / School of Roch:
More on starting pitching and Richard Bleier's refusal to relax
More on starting pitching and Richard Bleier's refusal to relax
Discussion:
Camden Chat, NBCSports.com and MLB Trade Rumors
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Reports of Brewers' interest level in Yu Darvish exaggerated
Reports of Brewers' interest level in Yu Darvish exaggerated
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Halos Heaven, CBS Chicago, MLB Trade Rumors and Lone Star Ball
ESPN:
Blue Jays to retire Roy Halladay's number on Opening Day — The Toronto Blue Jays announced Monday that they will retire Roy Halladay's No. 32 on Opening Day, March 29, when they host the New York Yankees. — The team will also wear a No. 32 patch on their uniforms this season in honor of Halladay …
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John Healy / New York Daily News:
Blue Jays to retire Roy Halladay's No. 32 on Opening Day — Roy Halladay will forever be remembered by the Toronto Blue Jays. — The Blue Jays announced on Monday they will retire the late pitcher's number, 32, on Opening Day, March 29, and wear a commemorative No. 32 patch for the 2018 season.
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.
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers will stink in 2018; here's why they'll be fun to watch — 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 — LAKELAND, Fla. - Reporting from spring training …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Sports Illustrated:
SI's Top 100 MLB Players of 2018: Nos. 100-51 — In the first installment of the Top 100, we find several of this year's top free agents (Eric Hosmer, Jake Arrieta, J.D. Martinez) as well as a few surprises (Chris Taylor, Byron Buxton) to kick off the week.
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 …
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:
Mercury News, ProFootballTalk, FanRag Sports, Pro Football Rumors, Raiders Wire, KNBR-AM and twitchy.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians, Ryan Hanigan Agree To Minor League Deal — The Indians are in agreement with veteran catcher Ryan Hanigan on a minor league contract, reports USA Today's Bob Nightengale (Twitter links). The O'Connell Sports Management client will earn a $1.25MM base salary if he's able to crack the Major League roster.
Discussion:
MLB on Yahoo! Sports, MLB Daily Dish and FanRag Sports
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 …
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 …