Top News:
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Francisco Lindor's new look channels motivation to take Indians further this season — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Francisco Lindor arrived at Cleveland Indians' spring training camp Friday with a new look and a determined attitude. — Lindor generated lots of smiles and stares when he walked …
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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 …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts acknowledge ‘tension’ in Red Sox clubhouse
Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts acknowledge ‘tension’ in Red Sox clubhouse
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Over the Monster, Sporting News and MLB Baseball News …
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
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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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
With position players set to report, Cardinals pitchers speed toward facing hitters — JUPITER, Fla. • One of the assignments for new bullpen coach Bryan Eversgerd in the early days of spring training has been “running first base.” That does not mean that he's in charge of first base …
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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Kansas City Star
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets reach two-year deal with lefthander Jason Vargas — PORT ST. LUCIE — Looking for insurance on their often-injured rotation, the Mets have agreed to terms with Jason Vargas, a team source confirmed. — The two-year deal with an option for 2020 with the 35-year-old lefty …
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
The Dark Knight may never return, but Mets don't need Matt Harvey to be a superhero
Mike Puma / New York Post:
Two potential pitching bargains the Mets are interested in
Two potential pitching bargains the Mets are interested in
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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.
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ESPN
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Diamondbacks, Jorge De La Rosa Agree To Minor League Deal
Diamondbacks, Jorge De La Rosa Agree To Minor League Deal
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Colon confident, but can he crack Rangers' rotation? — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — Far be it for most media members to say anything snarky about Bartolo Colon's physical stature, but, alas, the hypocrisy of most knows no bounds. — Suffice it to say, he's not built like the normal baseball player.
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News and Lone Star Ball
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Jorge Castillo / Washington Post:
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo feeling confident he'll receive contract extension … ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — On Thursday, Mike Rizzo hopped aboard a 20-minute flight out of West Palm Beach, Fla. to represent the Washington Nationals at the Governor's Baseball Dinner at Tropicana Field.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
A breakdown of Yu Darvish's 6 pitches — their effectiveness and usage — Chicago Tribune — Justin Grimm can validate Yu Darvish's wide array of pitches. — “I'm sure he has eight but only throws six,” said Grimm, who became reunited with Darvish with the Cubs after playing with him in 2012-13 with Rangers.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred: Pace of play rule changes will take effect this month — St. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Commissioner Rob Manfred emphatically said Thursday that there will be rule changes to improve the pace of play before the start of spring training games, whether he receives the union's approval or not.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, MLive.com, Bleacher Nation and Mets Merized Online
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Freddie Freeman reports to Braves camp, fit and clear-eyed — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Freddie Freeman's left wrist is completely healed, his eyes have been surgically corrected, and the Braves slugger is ready to do big things and hopes the team is, too. — Freeman arrived at spring training Friday …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Guessing game begins for Cubs leadoff man with no obvious choice in sight — Chicago Tribune — In the grand scheme of things, the endless debate over who will lead off for the Cubs this season is meaningless. — But because Joe Maddon's lineup machinations always are part …
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds notes: Cliff Pennington's minor league deal is major move for Reds — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cliff Pennington signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds, but the way Bryan Price talked Friday, it looks like Pennington is a major part of the team's plans.
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Profar wants to help Rangers win, not to be traded — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — Jurickson Profar made his spring-training debut Friday morning, saying that he doesn't want to be traded and didn't spend the off-season hoping for a trade. — But, as has been the case for years now, he wants to be on the field regularly.
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:
Bless You Boys and CBS Detroit
Clark Spencer / miamiherald:
Here's a Marlin player who's glad he wasn't traded and agrees with the rebuilding plan … Giancarlo Stanton asked to be traded. So did Christian Yelich. — None wanted to be part of a Marlins rebuild. They wanted out. — Dan Straily didn't. He wanted to stay. — “Glad they're gone,” Straily said.
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Tommy La Stella envisions a motivated Jake Arrieta: ‘He always pitches with a chip on his shoulder’ — Chicago Tribune — The team that eventually signs Jake Arrieta will receive an extremely motivated pitcher. — That's the view of Cubs infielder and friend Tommy La Stella …