Top News:
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
For Dodgers and Indians, spring training is about turning the page from postseason heartache — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The morning after the Cleveland Indians fell to the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series, general manager Mike Chernoff's fatherly duties took …
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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:
DodgerBlue.com
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:
Minor League Ball, Associated Press, Camden Chat and FanRag Sports
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
What were Rays thinking in ditching Odorizzi, Dickerson, adding Cron?
What were Rays thinking in ditching Odorizzi, Dickerson, adding Cron?
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Ben Zobrist feels good about his health, Cubs' chances — Chicago Tribune — Even Ben Zobrist can't say how many at-bats he'll wind up with this year, but the 36-year-old is sure of one thing: The Cubs' 2016 World Series hangover is over. — “I can tell you this,” Zobrist said Sunday.
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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. …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Joe Maddon knows managing Cubs playing time won't be easy
Rustin Dodd / Kansas City Star:
In looking for Hosmer replacement, Royals signal coming rebuild — SURPRISE, ARIZ. — As Eric Hosmer prepares for his first season in San Diego, the Royals are unlikely to search for his replacement on the free-agent market or seek a reunion with third baseman Mike Moustakas, general manager Dayton Moore said Sunday.
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Associated Press:
MLB: Eric Hosmer, San Diego Padres reach agreement on eight-year deal
MLB: Eric Hosmer, San Diego Padres reach agreement on eight-year deal
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score
Keith LawESPN Senior / ESPN:
Law: Why the prospect-packed Padres spent too much on Eric Hosmer
Law: Why the prospect-packed Padres spent too much on Eric Hosmer
Discussion:
Kansas City Star and Royals Review
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds: Joey Votto says things need to turn around. — Sights from the third day of Cincinnati Reds pitchers and catchers working out in Goodyear, Arizona. Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — It's hard to draw a conclusion from the early days of spring training.
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
Why the Mets zeroed in on Jason Vargas — PORT ST. LUCIE — Jason Vargas watched the 2015 World Series from the Royals' dugout as he recovered from Tommy John surgery, impressed with the talent he saw on the other side. — It was Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz, right down the line for the Mets.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
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Bill Baer / NBCSports.com:
Angels sign Chris Carter to minor league contract — The Angels have signed 1B/DH Chris Carter to a minor league contract, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports notes that Carter will earn a $1.175 million salary if he makes the major league roster …
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors, FanRag Sports and MLB Daily Dish
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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.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals notebook: Cards embrace tradition — St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith fields ground balls alongside infielder Tommy Edman during St. Louis Cardinals spring training on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, in Jupiter, Fla. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com
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Jorge Castillo / Chicago Tribune:
Bryan Harper, Bryce's older brother, is out to make a name for himself with Nationals — The Washington Post — Just before 10 a.m. Sunday, a player rushed over to Field 2 on the Washington Nationals' side of the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. He jogged alone, his spikes pounding the sidewalk.
Ryan Dunleavy / New Jersey Online:
Devin McCourty: No truth to Malcolm Butler reports behind mysterious Super Bowl benching — Devin McCourty played defense without Malcolm Butler in the Super Bowl, and now he is coming to the defense of his much-scrutinized teammate as the NFL offseason gets underway.
Discussion:
ProFootballTalk, FanRag Sports, CBS Boston and NESN.com
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Yankees' Gary Sanchez needs to continue to put in the work for him to be great on both sides of the ball — TAMPA — The hours are long in spring training for catchers, longer than anybody else as they go about doing their individual defensive drills, catch bullpen sessions for multiple pitchers …
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:
Concord Monitor, The Drive and Dan Shaughnessy Watch
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:
Brew Crew Ball and MLB Trade Rumors
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
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
JUPITER, Fla. • Is Matt Carpenter the first baseman or the third baseman? Is Jedd Gyorko the third baseman? Is Jose Martinez the first baseman? — As the Cardinals begin full-squad workouts Monday, the answers to all these questions are “yes.” This is to say that while the middle …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
The Rangers once again search for a closer. This is — theoretically — the best fit. — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Usually the Rangers wait until the season starts to scramble for a closer. — Give them credit for getting a head start this year. — When the Rangers broke off negotiations Saturday …
Discussion:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Lone Star Ball