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
Giancarlo Stanton embracing fresh start, arrives at Yankees camp
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:
FanRag Sports and ESPN
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:
The Comeback, MLB Baseball News … and Fish Stripes
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jason Heyward believes if he can stay healthy, his hitting will come along — Chicago Tribune — There are no points of emphasis at the plate this spring for the Cubs' Jason Heyward as he tries to elevate his offense to the level of his Gold Glove Award-winning defense in right field.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Anthony Rizzo makes Joe Maddon and Jason Heyward proud — Chicago Tribune — Jason Heyward initially didn't realize Anthony Rizzo left spring training suddenly to help his Parkland, Fla., community heal from a mass shooting Wednesday. — But Heyward and manager Joe Maddon were proud of the way Rizzo represented his community.
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
San Diego Padres banking on budding youth to catapult them to a better place in 2018 — For the seventh straight season, the Padres failed to finish .500 or better in 2017, but there could be some reasonable hope moving forward. Despite a National League-worst team .234 batting average …
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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
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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Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
MLB's highest-paid players in 2018 … The Reds haven't been to the playoffs since 2013, and the rebuilding franchise doesn't look much closer to returning in 2018. — For a team that finished in the top half of MLB in hitting (fourth, 4.65 runs per game) and park-factor scoring (13th …
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:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Welington Castillo plays ‘getting to know you’ refrain with White Sox — Chicago Tribune — Working with a new group of pitchers presents challenges that Welington Castillo has overcome previously during his eight seasons in the major leagues. — The White Sox are Castillo's fifth team since …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs counting on veteran Jon Lester to return to ace-like form — Chicago Tribune — Jon Lester believes the term “ace” is simply a word the media uses to differentiate starters and that there's no difference in the rotation once the season begins.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
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Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Jon Lester and Joe Maddon against any changes altering game's pace
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
Spring training is nearly six weeks long. Does it need to be? — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — One winter, Ned Yost worked for a timber management company, navigating and cataloging 500 acres of terrain. In three others, he unloaded 18-wheeler trucks for $14 per hour. Good money.
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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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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 …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
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.
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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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.
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:
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,” …
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 …
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.