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
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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
USA Today:
Cubs offseason report: Rotation formidable with addition of Yu Darvish — The Cubs didn't repeat as World Series champions in 2017 after ending their 108-year title drought the previous season. But they did win a second consecutive National League Central title, reaching the NL Championship Series …
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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 …
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
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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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.
RELATED:
USA Today:
Marlins sign veteran outfielder Cameron Maybin to a one-year deal — The Miami Marlins addressed their depleted outfield that was drastically altered this offseason. — Cameron Maybin, 30, signed a one-year deal with the Marlins, the club announced Wednesday morning.
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.
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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
John Harper / New York Daily News:
If AL East race is determined by trade deadline, Yankees have edge over Red Sox
If AL East race is determined by trade deadline, Yankees have edge over Red Sox
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Cesar Hernandez's arrival as elite second baseman for Phillies might not prevent his departure — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Cesar Hernandez conceded that things are a little bit different at this Phillies spring training. For him, it has nothing to do with Jason Kelce's Monday morning speech …
RELATED:
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.
Discussion:
Associated Press
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.
RELATED:
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 …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
USA Today:
Marlins' Don Mattingly to Bryce Harper: Mind your own business — Miami manager Don Mattingly had some choice words for Washington Nationals All-Star Bryce Harper, who questioned the Marlins' offseason moves. — “Take care of your business and we'll take care of ours,” Mattingly told reporters Tuesday morning from Jupiter, Fla..
Discussion:
Washington Post, Bleacher Report, MLB Baseball News …, miamiherald, Deadspin and Federal Baseball
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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 …
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:
Sporting News, Associated Press and baseballmusings.com
David Murphy / Philly.com:
The clock is ticking on Maikel Franco | David Murphy — CLEARWATER, Fla. — You can spend a lot of time waiting for something you once thought was there. That's probably true in a lot of corners of life, but baseball is an especially maddening realm, success and failure swapping places …