Top News:
Associated Press:
Mets' Wright will give ‘best shot’ on playing this season — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — The big question surrounding David Wright is the one that even he can't answer. — Can he play this season? — “I'm going to give it my best shot, certainly,” the New York Mets captain and third baseman …
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Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
David Wright understands why Mets couldn't wait on him any longer — but decision to retire should be his and his alone — PORT ST. LUCIE — It sounds as if David Wright finally has come to the realization — and to grips with — the likelihood that the end is near.
New York Daily News:
Todd Frazier open to leading off for Mets: ‘Whatever they need’ — PORT ST. LUCIE — First things first, Todd Frazier indicated that the Mets haven't discussed with him the possibility of being used out of the leadoff spot this season — but he's open to it.
Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Adrian Gonazlez arrives at Mets camp, believes he has ‘good grasp’ on how to treat back after injury
Adrian Gonazlez arrives at Mets camp, believes he has ‘good grasp’ on how to treat back after injury
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Mets, All-Star pitcher Jason Vargas agree to $16 million, 2-year deal
Mets, All-Star pitcher Jason Vargas agree to $16 million, 2-year deal
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Manny Machado's position demand could put wrinkle in Yankees' 2019 plans — TAMPA — Manny Machado arrived in Orioles' camp on Saturday, wasting no time telling reporters that he intends to play shortstop for the rest of his career. Which prompts the question: did the Yankees' grand plan just take a major hit?
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
As Manny Machado begins final camp with Orioles, lucrative future - with Yankees? - awaits — SARASOTA, Fla. — Manny Machado walked into the Baltimore Orioles clubhouse at 8:48 Saturday morning, circled the entire room shaking hands of his teammates, and being teased about his new hair style.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and NESN.com
ESPN:
Manny Machado puts trade talk behind him, focuses on SS move — Baltimore Orioles star Manny Machado arrived at spring training Saturday morning, ready to move on from offseason trade talk and prepared to focus on his transition to shortstop after spending the majority of his big league career at third base.
Jon Heyman / FanRag Sports:
Heyman | Giants and Tony Watson agree to deal — The San Francisco Giants and left-handed reliever Tony Watson have reached a deal on a multiyear contract, sources tell me and Robert Murray of FanRag Sports. — The Giants were thought to have difficulty completing a deal with Watson since …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Sporting News, NBCSports.com, McCovey Chronicles, MLB Trade Rumors and True Blue LA
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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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Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Chicago White Sox rebuild might be coming along faster than expected
Chicago White Sox rebuild might be coming along faster than expected
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Cincinnati.com:
Fay: Predicting the Cincinnati Reds' Opening Day roster — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Reds first full-squad workout is Monday. So it's high time I make a fearless prediction on the roster they take northeast for Opening Day. — I'm guessing I can guess 23 of 25. That's not to say I'm a great prognosticator.
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Richard Morin / Arizona Republic:
MLB's highest-paid players in 2018
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Source: Rangers will not sign reliever Seung Hwan Oh; could Tim Lincecum be on tap? — The Rangers are back to looking for a closer. — The club broke off negotiations with Korean pitcher Seung Hwan Oh Saturday, a source said. The club had agreed to a one-year contract with the reliever, pending a physical, more than a week ago.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
ESPN:
Three outside-the-box answers to baseball's extra-innings issue — Last year, the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs — an independent minor league in Northern California — adopted a rule to force extra-inning games to resolution: Each half-inning would begin with baserunners on first and second base.
Associated Press:
Pedroia rehabs knee, to miss opener for 1st time in 12 years — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Dustin Pedroia knew this would be the deal after knee surgery in the offseason. The Red Sox second baseman will be missing from Boston's opening-day lineup for the first time in 12 years.
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Denard Span happy to be with Rays now, would be happier March 29 — PORT CHARLOTTE - OF Denard Span was truly happy to be here in Rays camp on Saturday. — But the Tampa product said he'll be much happier - and more relaxed - if he actually makes it to the regular season with his hometown team.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice … Alex Avila doesn't like the word “framing.” To him, it has come to represent an oversimplification of his position, a foolish notion that a catcher's value can be tied entirely to his ability to steal a strike here or there. He winces when he hears it.
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, MLB Daily Dish and MLB Trade Rumors
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
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Anthony Rizzo makes Joe Maddon and Jason Heyward proud
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals, former closer Motte set for a reunion — JUPITER, Fla. • The last closer to throw a World Series-clinching pitch for the Cardinals will rejoin team as soon as Monday with a chance to retrofit a rebooted bullpen. — Jason Motte agreed to terms with the Cardinals …
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Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Andy MacPhail says Phillies can't be ‘impulsive’ about free-agent pitchers — CLEARWATER, Fla. — The biggest free-agent acquisition of Andy MacPhail's career as a general manager came in February of 1991 when he signed Jack Morris away from Detroit with a one-year deal to play for his hometown Twins.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
No plans for Aaron Judge to play center field — for now … TAMPA — Aaron Judge played center in college and was taking flies there off a machine on Saturday. — But Aaron Boone said there is no plan for Judge to play center as of now. — Judge had mentioned to his manager that he had played there before.
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals might consider giving Wacha extra rest again — JUPITER, Fla. • After righthander Michael Wacha encountered some shoulder issues late in 2016, related to the stress reaction he suffered in 2014, the Cardinals handled Wacha last season with kid gloves on a couple of occasions.
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Indians Sign Rajai Davis — 1:32pm: The signing is official, Bastian tweets. — 12:15pm: The Indians are set to sign outfielder Rajai Davis to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports. The deal is pending a physical (Twitter links).
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, Let's Go Tribe and CBS Cleveland
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers agree to reunion with rehab project Edinson Volquez — SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Rangers are bringing back one-time top pitching prospect Edinson Volquez. — Just don't expect to see him anytime soon. — Volquez, 34, agreed to a two-year minor-league deal with the Rangers Friday.
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Lone Star Ball …
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