Top News:
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.
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Peter Botte / New York Daily News:
Adrian Gonazlez arrives at Mets camp, believes he has ‘good grasp’ on how to treat back after injury — PORT ST. LUCIE — Adrian Gonzalez has arrived, and now we will see if his back allows him to officially be back. — Gonzalez, signed by the Mets to a deal for the major-league minimum …
Discussion:
Mets Merized Online
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
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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Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox's Lucas Giolito eager to build off fine finish of 2017 — Chicago Tribune — Lucas Giolito was getting ready to head out of the clubhouse at Camelback Ranch to hit the links with some White Sox teammates when he was asked his golf handicap. — “I don't even have one,” Giolito said with a shrug.
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
Good riddance! Dan Straily says he's glad Stanton, Yelich are gone
Discussion:
FanRag Sports
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:
Sporting News, The Comeback, MLB Baseball News … and Fish Stripes
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:
Sporting News, True Blue LA, McCovey Chronicles and MLB Trade Rumors
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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
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
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.
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
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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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 …
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Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Michael Lorenzen is taking his rotation shot seriously
Michael Lorenzen is taking his rotation shot seriously
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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.
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.
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Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Jon Lester and Joe Maddon against any changes altering game's pace
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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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers agree to reunion with rehab project Edinson Volquez
Rangers agree to reunion with rehab project Edinson Volquez
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Lone Star Ball …
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:
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.
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, CBS DC, FanGraphs Baseball and Bleacher Report
RELATED:
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Chris Tillman expected to choose team within next few days, could return to Orioles — A potential reunion between the Orioles and right-hander Chris Tillman is very much still alive as the team looks to continue to upgrade its rotation after the signing of former Texas Rangers starter Andrew Cashner.
Discussion:
Camden Chat, FanGraphs Baseball, MLB Trade Rumors, School of Roch, BaltimoreBaseball.com and Chicago Tribune
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.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Fowler says Cardinals made right move for them, for his career — • There were plans for a round of golf and the inevitable informal conversations that happen, from tee to green, when Cardinals executive John Mozeliak visited outfielder Dexter Fowler this past fall in Las Vegas.