Top News:
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.
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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
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Sign Jaime Garcia
Blue Jays Sign Jaime Garcia
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, Bucs Dugout and River Avenue Blues
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
RELATED:
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
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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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Don't bring up ‘mediocre’ to Cardinals' Wainwright — JUPITER, Fla. • In 2013-14, Cardinals righthander Adam Wainwright won a total of 39 games. In two of the three seasons since then — he missed most of 2015 with an Achilles' tear — the veteran won 13 and then 12.
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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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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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
RELATED:
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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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
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 …
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
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:
NESN.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, McCovey Chronicles, CBS DC, NESN.com, Philly.com, Los Angeles Times and ESPN
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.
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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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 …
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Photos: The Braves at spring training — Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte signs autographs for fans after taking morning batting practice at Champion Stadium on Thursday, Feb 15, 2018, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com