Top News:
Associated Press:
MLB: Eric Hosmer, San Diego Padres reach agreement on eight-year deal — Free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer has reached preliminary agreement on an eight-year contract with the San Diego Padres, pending a physical, a person with direct knowledge of the deal says.
RELATED:
Keith LawESPN Senior / ESPN:
Law: Why the prospect-packed Padres spent too much on Eric Hosmer — The San Diego Padres' decision to sign Eric Hosmer to an eight-year deal — really a five-year deal for $105 million with a three-year player option for another $39 million at the end — is the most inexplicable move of the offseason.
Discussion:
Royals Review
Associated Press:
Reports: Hosmer, Padres agree to 8-year, $144 million deal — Free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer has agreed to an eight-year, $144 million deal with the San Diego Padres, according to published reports Saturday night. — The 28-year-old, two-time Gold Glove winner hit a career-high .318 …
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Former Ray Evan Longoria gives thumbs-down to team's Dickerson decision — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Evan Longoria is in his first season as a San Francisco Giant after 10 years in a Tampa Bay Rays uniform, but he still follows his old organization from a new league and the opposite coast.
Discussion:
Associated Press and FanRag Sports
RELATED:
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
What were Rays thinking in ditching Odorizzi, Dickerson, adding Cron?
Associated Press:
Rays send righty Jake Odorizzi to Twins for prospect
Rays send righty Jake Odorizzi to Twins for prospect
Discussion:
AaronGleeman.com and Bluebird Banter
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Are the Orioles a fit for just-designated outfielder Corey Dickerson?
Charlotte Carroll / Sports Illustrated:
Rays Trade Jake Odorizzi to Twins for Jermaine Palacios
Rays Trade Jake Odorizzi to Twins for Jermaine Palacios
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Bleed Cubbie Blue and DRaysBay
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
With addition of Jason Vargas, Mets starters face heated battle for rotation spot — PORT ST. LUCIE — The stakes for losing out on a rotation spot are very clear in the Mets clubhouse. After announcing the two-year deal for lefty Jason Vargas Sunday, the Mets have two open spots in the rotation …
RELATED:
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks at spring-training practice … If a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat, seven-game World Series left you wanting more, get ready to settle into another beguiling baseball season. — Start it by seeing all that the Cactus League has in store. — Five of the past eight World Series champions …
RELATED:
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers All-Star Cody Bellinger plans to avoid a sophomore slump … Cody Bellinger slipped through the netting of a Camelback Ranch batting cage and gazed at a pitching machine. Dodgers hitting coach Turner Ward manned the contraption, which dolloped late spin onto each offering.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and DodgerBlue.com
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
Man of steal? Jose Abreu wants green light on basepaths — Chicago Tribune — White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu has pinpointed two ways in which he wants to improve this season: steal more bases and learn to speak some English. — Asked if more steals really is a goal for 2018, Abreu responded with a nod to that second goal.
RELATED:
Chris Kuc / Chicago Tribune:
In slow free-agent market, Chris Volstad grateful for White Sox call — Chicago Tribune — Chris Volstad has seen the list of remaining free agents and is grateful to have jumped at the White Sox's offer when they contacted the pitcher late last month. — “There are still a lot of guys …
ESPN:
Rangers nix deal with closer Seung Hwan Oh — The Texas Rangers have decided not to sign closer Seung Hwan Oh, after an issue arose over his physical exam, according to multiple reports. — The Dallas Morning News reported that the Rangers discovered “disconcerting issues” with the right-hander's arm when examining his MRI results.
RELATED:
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
This characteristic makes Claudio a candidate to be Rangers closer
This characteristic makes Claudio a candidate to be Rangers closer
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
WTAE:
Josh Harrison wants to win, no matter what team he's playing on — BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) - Josh Harrison is still with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his feelings aren't much different than they were a month ago. — Harrison spoke to reporters Sunday, the day before the first spring training workout for Pittsburgh's full squad.
Discussion:
DKPittsburghSports.com
RELATED:
Connor Byrne / MLB Trade Rumors:
Latest On Pirates' Josh Harrison
Latest On Pirates' Josh Harrison
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout … and Pinstripe Alley
Associated Press:
Angels sign veteran sluggers Chris Carter, Chris Young — TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels have signed veteran slugger Chris Carter and longtime outfielder Chris Young. — Carter got a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training on Sunday, while Young agreed to a one-year contract.
RELATED:
Cincinnati.com:
Next Slide — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Before he signed with the Cincinnati Reds on a minor-league deal, veteran infielder Cliff Pennington got some frustrating feedback from another team showing interest in him. That team pointed out that last season with the Los Angeles Angels he didn't play much shortstop, starting only four games.
RELATED:
Zach Buchanan / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto on 2018 season: ‘Something needs to start changing’
Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto on 2018 season: ‘Something needs to start changing’
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Anthony Rizzo's words carry more weight than ever — Chicago Tribune — When Anthony Rizzo left Cubs camp Wednesday, he was just another baseball player. — But that all changed with the shooting that left 17 dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. …
Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Notes: After solid stint in winter ball, Junior Guerra out to show he's back in peak form — PHOENIX - Nothing has come easy in baseball for Junior Guerra, so it's not difficult to believe that one year after serving as the Milwaukee Brewers' opening day starter he is in a battle merely to make the club.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Red Sox re-sign Eduardo Nunez for infield insurance — Boston Red Sox have re-signed infielder Eduardo Nunez to a one-year contract with a player option for 2019, giving them another proven second baseman to fill in while — Dustin Pedroia recovers from knee surgery.
Discussion:
The Drive and Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carpenter, whose back is stiff, will work mostly at first base — JUPITER, Fla. • Matt Carpenter, programmed to play several positions this spring, will be spending most of his time defensively at first base when the Cardinals start their full-scale workouts on Monday.
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Keeping Scott Kingery in the minors is Phillies' best move | David Murphy — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Nothing gets the crowd's juices flowing like a righteously indignant polemic that rages against the evils of corporatist oppression, which is why baseball's annual service time dance …