Top News:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
After a rough Yankee intro, Clint Frazier is ready for his second spring in pinstripes — TAMPA, Fla. - Clint Frazier's flowing, red mane - a fixation of last year's Yankees cap - is now history. — “I actually cut my hair once a week in the offseason, so I enjoy how it looks right now,” Frazier said.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Giancarlo Stanton embracing fresh start, arrives at Yankees camp — TAMPA, Fla. — The waters didn't part, but the buzz quickly spread throughout the New York Yankees clubhouse Friday morning: Giancarlo Stanton had arrived a couple days early to spring training.
Discussion:
New York Post
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Dizzying to imagine Giancarlo Stanton possibilities as hungry Yankee slugger will finally be on huge stage
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 …
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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.
Discussion:
ESPN
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
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Mets, All-Star pitcher Jason Vargas agree to $16 million, 2-year deal — Turns out, the New York Mets were ready and willing to spend this winter. More than just a few bucks, too. — All-Star pitcher Jason Vargas and the Mets agreed to a $16 million, two-year contract Friday …
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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 …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Associated Press:
Edinson Volquez returns to Rangers on minor league deal — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Edinson Volquez has agreed to a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers, returning to his original team with a chance to be a candidate for the rotation in 2019. — The 34-year-old right-hander will not pitch …
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Sign Edinson Volquez To Two-Year Minor League Contract
Rangers Sign Edinson Volquez To Two-Year Minor League Contract
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and MLB Daily Dish
Kerry Crowley / Mercury News:
Here's what the Giants thought of Tim Lincecum's bullpen session — After taking a full season off, the former Giants' ace is making a comeback bid — SCOTTSDALE, Arizona-The Giants are fond of offering second chances, and on Thursday, the club scouted a bullpen session of another fan favorite attempting to make a comeback.
Discussion:
DRaysBay, Bleacher Report, CBS DC and FanGraphs Baseball
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Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — LAKELAND, Fla. — The Detroit Tigers and Triple-A Toledo have had a strong relationship for over 30 years. — And on Friday afternoon, the two teams announced they have extended their player development contract through the 2020 season. The Mud Hens have been the Tigers' Triple …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice … The Diamondbacks welcomed a familiar face back into their clubhouse on Friday morning. Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa surprised teammates at the facility around 8:15 a.m., and about an hour later, the club announced it had signed him to a minor-league deal.
RELATED:
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 and MLB Daily Dish
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Fowler feels shift to right field could prolong his career, save his legs — St. Louis Cardinals outfielders Dexter Fowler (right) and Harrison Bader during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com
RELATED:
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wick claimed off waivers by San Diego, leaves Cardinals camp
Wick claimed off waivers by San Diego, leaves Cardinals camp
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
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 …
Discussion:
NESN.com
Associated Press:
Marcus Stroman angry at Blue Jays over negativity in arbitration — DUNEDIN, Fla. — Toronto pitcher Marcus Stroman met with Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins on Friday, a day after the 26-year old right-hander's salary arbitration loss triggered him to vent on Twitter.
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 …
Discussion:
Kansas City Star
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.
Associated Press:
After healthy offseason, Albert Pujols expected to play more in field — TEMPE, Ariz. — Albert Pujols is slim, trim and ready to dust off his first-baseman's mitt. — The 38-year-old former MVP is looking to reverse a downward-trending career, in part by contributing more in the field now that he has shaken off injuries.
Associated Press:
David Freese thinks Pirates not trying hard enough to win — BRADENTON, Fla. — David Freese thinks the Pittsburgh Pirates are not trying hard enough to win. — “The last two years, we didn't do as well as we could have because of our environment. That's what I think,” …
Scott LauberESPN / ESPN:
Red Sox's Hanley Ramirez wants ‘100 RBIs and 30 homers’ in 2018 — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Hanley Ramirez has a solution for the Boston Red Sox's power-hitting deficiency. — A healthy Hanley Ramirez. — “Oh, yeah. No doubt,” Ramirez said Friday after reporting to spring training.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Chicago White Sox rebuild might be coming along faster than expected — Although the White Sox finished with their worst record in four years, the rebuilding project seems to be progressing as planned, and 2017 showed the development of a handful of young and promising standouts …
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
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Jon Lester and Joe Maddon against any changes altering game's pace — MESA, Ariz - Chicago Cubs veteran pitcher Jon Lester sounded off on potential pace of play regulations which will likely be implemented before the upcoming 2018 season. Lester has long been an advocate to leave the game as is.