Top News:
Janie McCAuley / Associated Press:
New MLB rule: Pitching change a must for 7th mound visit by coach or manager — Managers or coaches must make a pitching change if they head to the mound for the seventh time in a game under baseball's new pace of play rules. — Commissioner Rob Manfred and executive Joe Torre explained …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Chicago Tribune
RELATED:
Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw have ‘open dialogue’ with his opt-out looming — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has said he isn't thinking about the clause in his contract which allows him to opt out and become a free agent next fall. — It would be unwise for the Dodgers' front office to take such an approach.
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Agent Scott Boras stays course, calling free agent system ‘upside-down’ — PEORIA, Ariz. - The San Diego Padres took the unusual step of announcing the terms of Eric Hosmer's new eight-year, $144 million contract, which includes an opt-out clause after the fifth season, and pointed out it's the largest agreement in franchise history.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven, Gaslamp Ball and DRaysBay
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Yu Darvish makes quick favorable impression on new Cubs teammates — Chicago Tribune — After watching one of Yu Darvish's pitches during a batting-practice session Tuesday, Cubs slugger Kyle Schwarber merely said, “Oh, God.” — “Insane,” Willson Contreras added after catching Darvish's …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Kris Bryant all about the art of the World Series ring, not individual honors — Chicago Tribune — The 2017 season seemed hollow to Kris Bryant, and not because he didn't win an individual award for the first time since reaching the major leagues in 2015.
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Yankees Acquire Brandon Drury, D-Backs Acquire Steven Souza In Three-Team Trade With Rays — The Rays, Yankees and D-backs have agreed to a significant three-team trade that will send outfielder Steven Souza from Tampa Bay to Arizona, infielder/outfielder Brandon Drury from Arizona to New York and prospects to Tampa Bay.
RELATED:
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Brandon Drury is an upside play at just the right price
Brandon Drury is an upside play at just the right price
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Gary Sanchez swings away with Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge — TAMPA, Fla. - The Show moved to Field 2 on Tuesday afternoon, with fans watching behind a chain link fence as Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge blasted batting practice pitches at Yankees camp. — Oh, and Gary Sanchez was in the hitting group again too.
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Stephen Ruiz / Orlando Sentinel:
Players with ties to World Series teams seek fresh starts with Braves — Charlie Culberson did not receive a call-up to the Los Angeles Dodgers until early September last season. — No one could have predicted what was to come, especially the .500 postseason batting average in 16 at-bats …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
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Associated Press:
Don Mattingly says Bryce Harper off base to critique Marlins' moves: ‘Take care of your own dugout’ — JUPITER, Fla. — Marlins manager Don Mattingly says Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper should not be critiquing Miami's offseason moves. — EDITOR'S PICKS
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Garcia is emulating Descalso — • When Greg Garcia arrived at his first big-league spring training, one of the established players from the other side of the clubhouse walked over and introduced himself as Daniel. — “Like I didn't know who he was,” Garcia said.
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Associated Press:
Brewers owner Attanasio has eye on ending playoff drought — PHOENIX — Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio says his team has the roster to end the franchise's seven-year postseason drought without having to make another move. — The Brewers exceeded expectations last year after finishing …
ESPN:
When will Tim Tebow play in the majors? — Is Tim Tebow a major leaguer? According to New York Mets GM Sandy Alderson, the former NFL quarterback is all but bound for the bigs. — “Somebody asked me whether I think he'll be a major league player at some point,” Alderson said Sunday.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals coach Maddux puts the up in upside — JUPITER, Fla. • On his first day back with the first team, former closer Jason Motte got a quick look at a new level the Cardinals want to take their pitchers. Mike Maddux, in his first weeks with his fourth team as pitching coach …
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Man vs. third base: The real battles of spring training for all 30 teams — As an English major, I used to spend a lot of time thinking about the types of conflict in our stories and which ones would be best suited to the kind of work I planned to do. Man vs. nature? Man vs. man? Man vs. self?
John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Bronson Arroyo in Cincinnati Reds Spring Training camp - sort of — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Bronson Arroyo is in Reds camp. Well, let's rephrase that. Bronson Arroyo is at Reds camp. — The newly retired Arroyo will be in Arizona for two weeks. He'll spend some of that time with the Reds in some sort of capacity.
RELATED:
ESPN:
Josh Donaldson expects to become free agent, not ‘eye to eye’ with Blue Jays on contact talks — Josh Donaldson expects to become a free agent next offseason after shutting down contract talks with the Toronto Blue Jays, saying that the sides do not see “eye to eye” on a long-term deal.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
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Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Atkins optimistic Donaldson will sign with Blue Jays
Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:
Daniel Murphy trying to get knee 100 percent healthy before return — WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Daniel Murphy isn't sure whether he'll be ready for Opening Day as he continues to recover from offseason knee surgery. — “I'm generally optimistic that when they put me in the lineup …
Discussion:
Associated Press and baseballmusings.com
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles' continued pursuit for lefty outfield bat leading them to Colby Rasmus — With the number of left-handed-hitting outfielders available on the free-agent market dwindling, the Orioles have turned their focus to a potential deal with veteran outfielder Colby Rasmus, according to an industry source.