Top News:
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Two potential pitching bargains the Mets are interested in — PORT ST. LUCIE — As the Mets continue their search for potential rotation insurance, two veteran left-handers are steady on their radar. — Jason Vargas and Jaime Garcia, both of whom are still jobless in this historically …
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Pete Caldera / USA Today:
CC Sabathia is at the center of Yankees Universe — TAMPA, Fla. - These days, the center of Yankees Universe is generally located at CC Sabathia's locker. — From his corner space at Steinbrenner Field, Sabathia dispenses pitching advice and shares a career's worth of learned experience to anyone who inquires.
Discussion:
Daily Record
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Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds notes: Catcher Devin Mesoraco is a realist — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Every time Devin Mesoraco got hurt, there always was next year. — He had the security of the four-year, $28 million deal he signed with the Reds before the 2015 season. Injuries claimed each of his first three seasons …
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ESPN:
Toronto signs veteran left-hander Jaime Garcia to 1-year deal — The Blue Jays have signed Jaime Garcia to a 1-year contract with a club option for 2019, the team announced Thursday. — The veteran lefty will make $8 million in base salary in 2018 and can earn an extra $2 million in incentives.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Sign Jaime Garcia
Blue Jays Sign Jaime Garcia
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout and River Avenue Blues
Associated Press:
Indians taking ‘long view’ with Danny Salazar's shoulder recovery — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Indians pitcher Danny Salazar is unlikely to be ready for the start of the regular season, another early blow to the team following the death of manager Terry Francona's father.
Ryan Divish / The Seattle Times:
Mariners among teams in attendance for ex-Husky Tim Lincecum's showcase in Kent — The showcase was held at Driveline Baseball in Kent. Lincecum's fastball was clocked around 90-92 mph. — The Mariners were one of 20-plus major-league teams that scouted the pitching showcase …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
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Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies to scout Tim Lincecum on Thursday
Phillies to scout Tim Lincecum on Thursday
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, 1500 ESPN Twin Cities and ESPN
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mariners' Ryon Healy Out Four To Six Weeks Following Hand Surgery — The Mariners announced today that first baseman Ryon Healy underwent surgery to remove a bone spur from his right hand and will be sidelined for four to six weeks. Depending on which end of that timeline Healy's recovery ultimately falls …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Lookout Landing
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Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Kirk Gibson to throw out first pitch for Dodgers on opening day — The Dodgers were one victory last fall from preempting the following sentence: It has been 30 years since the Dodgers last won the World Series. — But a championship always is worth celebrating, and so the Dodgers announced Thursday …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice … Diamondbacks right-hander Taijuan Walker isn't sure if the new humidor at Chase Field will help him or not, but based on some of his results last season, it couldn't hurt. — Pitchers often say a baseball in a dry environment resembles a cue ball …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Ballpark Digest, AZ Snake Pit and FanGraphs Baseball
Dave Sheinin / Chicago Tribune:
Facing a brimming free agent pool at spring training's start, MLBPA boss decries owners' ‘excuses’ — The Washington Post — Tony Clark never envisioned his annual tour of spring training camps beginning where it did this week: Inside the gates of the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, at a camp without a name.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Day 2 sends Wainwright, most of rotation to the mounds — JUPITER, Fla. • From the moment the schedule was pinned to the corkboard in the Cardinals' clubhouse, there was something different about it from previous years. As detailed in Thursday's Post-Dispatch, there is a heavy Mike Maddux influence …
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Notebook: Norris ‘honored’ to be with Cardinals
Notebook: Norris ‘honored’ to be with Cardinals
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Salvador Perez, baseball's most durable catcher, has a goal: Better health — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — In the last five seasons, no catcher in Major League Baseball has started more games than the Royals' Salvador Perez. No one has logged more innings or had more plate appearances or pulled on a catcher's mask more times.
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Blair Kerkhoff / Kansas City Star:
Kansas City got a second chance at the majors, and made it work
Kansas City got a second chance at the majors, and made it work
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
David Furones / Sun-Sentinel:
Stoneman Douglas assistant football coach Aaron Feis killed responding to shooting: ‘That is not firecrackers’ — Sun Sentinel — Aaron Feis, an assistant football coach and security guard at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, was among the 17 people shot and killed Wednesday at the Parkland high school.
Discussion:
CBS Philly, NESN.com, Fox News, Deadspin, twitchy.com and TMZ.com
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Notes: Back in Brewers uniform, Yovani Gallardo looks forward to challenge of making club — PHOENIX - There aren't many familiar faces remaining from his first go-round with the Milwaukee Brewers, but Yovani Gallardo looked right at home as he suited up as No. 49 once again for the first spring workout at Maryvale Baseball Park.
ESPN:
Rob Manfred: Player input ‘significantly altered’ MLB's positions — Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said rule changes to help pace of play will be announced before spring training games begin. — Manfred did not specify what the new rules would be while addressing reporters …
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' bullpen dancing among new Chicago-related features in ‘MLB The Show 18’ — Chicago Tribune — If your digital Cubs bullpen can't do the Running Man, what's the point of even playing the video game? — Sony's team thought as much, and added the bullpen pitchers' signature dance moves …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Ohtani draws attention as Angels begin workouts — Shohei Ohtani emerged from the clubhouse and tipped his cap to the swarm of Japanese countrymen capturing his every move, cameras clicking a mile a minute. — He offered that signature smile, something Angels manager Mike Scioscia noticed right away …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven …, miamiherald, Let's Go Tribe and ESPN