Top News:
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.
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Rotoworld.com:
Lowdown: Straight Cash-ner — Follow @Rotoworld_BB and @Crawford_Milb on Twitter. — The trickle down effect has begun. Or so we hope. — Just about a week after the Cubs brought in Yu Darvish, we saw two free-agent hurlers put their name to paper on Thursday with Andrew Cashner signing …
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Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Chris Sale, Red Sox teammates confident in team's current roster
Chris Sale, Red Sox teammates confident in team's current roster
Discussion:
Over the Monster …, Boston Herald and Union-News
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Mookie Betts: “No hard feelings” over arbitration hearing
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
MLB stock watch: From superteams to enemies of Boras, here's where all 30 teams stand — Baseball has sprung in the warmer regions of our land, even while those of us in the north continue to face days of snow, fog and bitterness. For eons, writers have written about how the onset …
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Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Scott Boras remains patient, but he and his free agents are really testing the limit — TAMPA — It's three days into spring training, with full squads reporting in five days — does Scott Boras know where his free agents' teams are? — Baseball's Avenging Agent is accustomed to playing the waiting game …
Associated Press:
Garcia gets $10 million for one year from Toronto — Lefthander Jaime Garcia and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a $10 million, one-year contract that includes a 2019 team option. — Garcia gets $8 million this year as part of the deal announced Thursday and Toronto has a $10 million option with a $2 million buyout.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Toronto signs veteran left-hander Jaime Garcia to 1-year deal
Toronto signs veteran left-hander Jaime Garcia to 1-year deal
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Bluebird Banter
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Sign Jaime Garcia
Blue Jays Sign Jaime Garcia
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, NBCSports.com and Bucs Dugout
Associated Press:
Zack Greinke: ‘Wish every park was neutral’ so humidor not needed — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Zack Greinke is beginning his third season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and this time he will be throwing home games with baseballs that have been stored in a humidor.
Discussion:
ESPN
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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 … and Ballpark Digest
Associated Press:
Reds void Manship's contract, add Pennington on minor-league deal — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cincinnati Reds voided the minor league contract of right-handed reliever Jeff Manship on Thursday after he failed to pass a physical and they agreed to a minor league deal with former Los Angeles Angels infielder Cliff Pennington.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
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Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — LAKELAND, Fla. — Ron Gardenhire's office at Joker Marchant Stadium is beginning to feel like home. On the second day of spring training, a number of papers hung on a previously blank bulletin board. On his desk, notes were scattered around. His cigar humidor was on its way.
Discussion:
CBS Detroit
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: Leone may ease Bowman's load — JUPITER, Fla. • Matt Bowman was the most-often employed Cardinals reliever with men on base last year, entering with 50 men on base and allowing just 15 to score, or 30 percent. — With the acquisition last month …
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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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Associated Press:
Dodgers confident Koehler will help fill bullpen void — GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Los Angeles Dodgers are confident the free-agent acquisition of Tom Koehler will help fill a bullpen void left by Brandon Morrow's jump to the Chicago Cubs. — For Koehler, it's a move that represents a transition …
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
The secret to Michael Kopech's success? Meditation — Chicago Tribune — Michael Kopech is one of the more zen White Sox prospects. — The fire-balling right-hander said that he uses meditation to stay on an even keel while he works his way toward the major-leagues as the Sox's top pitching prospect.
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
Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:
Arte Moreno says Angels are ‘thinking about’ an extension for Mike Trout, but there's no urgency — TEMPE, Ariz. — After watching Shohei Ohtani go through his first bullpen session with the Angels, Arte Moreno confronted a question about his other star. — Mike Trout has three years left …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Noah Syndergaard misses old coach, but new guy is ‘amazing’ — PORT ST. LUCIE — Noah Syndergaard lobbied for the incumbent pitching coach to return to the Mets last offseason, but quickly has come to respect the new one. — As Dan Warthen was nearing the conclusion of his tenure with the Mets in October …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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:
Mercury News, CBS DC, McCovey Chronicles, NESN.com, Philly.com and ESPN
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and NESN.com