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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Associated Press:
Good riddance! Dan Straily says he's glad Stanton, Yelich are gone — JUPITER, Fla. — While Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich were happy to be traded by the Miami Marlins, right-hander Dan Straily says he wants to be a cornerstone of the team's rebuilding plan. — And that's not all.
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ESPN
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Associated Press:
Dan Straily, Brandon Maurer lose in salary arbitration — PHOENIX (AP) — Pitcher Dan Straily of Miami and Brandon Maurer of Kansas City have lost their salary arbitration cases, leaving players with an 11-10 lead with one decision remaining. — Straily was awarded $3,375,000 Friday instead …
Clark Spencer / miamiherald:
Here's a Marlin player who's glad he wasn't traded and agrees with the rebuilding plan
Here's a Marlin player who's glad he wasn't traded and agrees with the rebuilding plan
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Fish Stripes
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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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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Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Michael Lorenzen is taking his rotation shot seriously — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - When it comes to making the starting rotation, the odds could be stacked against Michael Lorenzen. Not that he's concerned. — When Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price broke down his rotation competition earlier in the week …
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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.
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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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
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CBSSports.com, Sporting News, Over the Monster 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
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Over the Monster …, Boston Herald and Union-News
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
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MLB Daily Dish and Mets Merized Online
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice
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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.
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Dallas Morning News and Lone Star Ball
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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 — PORT ST. LUCIE — The Mets don't need another hero. Mickey Callaway just wants Matt Harvey — and the rest of the starting staff — to be accountable on and off the field.
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Mets reach two-year deal with lefthander Jason Vargas
Mets reach two-year deal with lefthander Jason Vargas
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MLB Baseball News …
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.
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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.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs welcome Brewers fans with open arms — even if the feeling isn't mutual — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs have a message for Brewers' fans in Wisconsin hoping to catch a game at Wrigley Field this season: — “C'mon down.” — The Cubs' welcome is in stark contrast to a message sent …
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
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Brandon Morrow's injury-plagued odyssey led him to role of Cubs closer — Chicago Tribune — Replacing near-flawless Wade Davis despite a lack of recent closer experience doesn't faze Brandon Morrow. — “I don't think mentally it will be too big for me,” Morrow said at spring training Wednesday in a calm but direct tone.
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.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Five Braves who could emerge this season — With Braves fans itching for a big surge forward in the team's rebuild, and the team seeking to move closer to 81 wins in the coming season, both desires may rest on young players developing into reliable (or better), everyday performers.
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 …
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.
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Bless You Boys and CBS Detroit